EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 403
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 403 - ADOPTING
A PHILIPPINE TOURISM HIGHWAY PROGRAM TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND PROMOTE THE
TOURISM POTENTIALS OF THE COUNTRY AND CREATING THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK
FORCE THEREOF
WHEREAS,
it is the policy of the State to develop and promote the tourism
potentials of the country as part of national development efforts for
the furtherance of the empowerment of the Filipino people and continued
enhancement of the competitiveness of the Philippine economy;
WHEREAS, the National Tourism Program of the Department of Tourism
provides for a focused and sustained approach to develop and promote
the tourism areas of the country among domestic and foreign tourists;
WHEREAS, there is a need to establish an integrating mechanism to
ensure focused and sustained government efforts to ensure the viability
of the tourism areas, in terms of safe, easy and affordable access to
domestic and foreign tourists;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. Establishment of the Philippine Tourism
Highway Program. — There is hereby adopted a Philippine Tourism Highway
Program to serve as an integrating mechanism for the developmental and
promotional efforts of government for the tourism areas of the country.
It shall cover the national road network where tourism areas are
located and which are necessarily the “scenic spot” portion of the
tourism highway showcasing the splendor and beauty of the local
landscape as well as its tourism attractions. Tourism areas shall
include historical and other tourist attractions easily accessible
through the tourism highway.
Sec. 2. Framework. — The Philippine Tourism
Highway Program shall be pursued to link the country’s tourism areas
and attractions through the national highway system, to the north from
Manila to Laoag City via the Cagayan Valley Region and to the south
from Manila to Mindanao via the Bicol and Eastern Visayas Regions. This
shall promote the development and preservation of the tourism areas, as
well as ensure their viability by enhancing their accessibility,
safety, and affordability to domestic and foreign tourists.
Sec. 3. Presidential Task Force. — There is hereby
also created a Presidential Task Force to coordinate the effective
implementation of this Order. It shall be chaired by the DOT Secretary
with the DPWH Secretary as Vice Chairman and the Secretaries of DILG,
DTI, DA, DENR, DOE, DOTC, DND and Heads of the National Historical
Institute, National Power Corporation, National Youth Commission,
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Travel Agencies
Association, and the Philippine Tour Operators Association, as members.
As may be necessary, the Chairperson may expand the composition of the
Task Force.
Sec. 4. Coverage. — The road and tourism area
coverage of the Program shall be identified by the Task Force, in
coordination with the concerned regional tourism councils, The
appropriate marker for these areas shall be caused to be installed by
the Task Force, which shall also, in coordination with concerned
agencies and LGUs, regulate and monitor the construction of structures
and other activities that may erode the aesthetic value, obstruct a
scenic view or cause the degradation of these tourism areas.
Sec. 5. Program Components. — The Task Force shall
immediately formulate the project components of the Philippine Tourism
Highway Program, including the identification of fund sources for the
implementation thereof. These shall include the enhancement of the
existing tourism attractions, to include the tourism-science-technology
centers and battle monuments and war memorial markers; the construction
and proper upkeep of the rest areas and view decks along the tourism
highway; and the provision of adequate basic services (i.e.,
electricity, transportation and telecommunication facilities, and
maintenance of peace and order). Also included are the implementation
of the freedom trail program of the National Centennial Commission; the
DTI-Program showcasing local products and the DOT Home-Stay Program,
Sec. 6. Program Implementation. — The
implementation of the project components of the Program shall be drawn
from the funds of their respective implementing agencies which shall
ensure their completion in time for the celebration of the centennial
of Philippine independence. To augment the funding requirement for
Program implementation, the Task Force may tap private sector
investments under BOT schemes and/or donation from foreign and local
organizations and financing groups.
Sec. 7. Private Sector Participation. — The active
participation of the private sector, including the youth groups and
non-government organizations (NGOs) be tapped in the implementation of
the Tourism Highway Program. This may include the involvement of the
youth groups and non-government organizations in the maintenance of the
rest areas; the business sector in the establishment of rest areas
(one-stop tourism centers) in their respective localities; and the
gasoline station operators in creating a more conducive tourism
environment along the tourism highway.
Sec. 8. Secretariat Support. — The DOT shall
establish a Secretariat to provide technical and administrative support
to the Task Force in the implementation of this Order. Where necessary,
the Task Force may tap the assistance and cooperation of other
government agencies and/or instrumentalities to effectively discharge
its duties and functions.
Sec. 9. Operational Budget. — A total of P25
Million shall be allocated from the Trust Liability Account and Savings
of the DOT and its attached agencies, to fund the initial year
operation of the Task Force, subject to existing accounting and
auditing rules and regulations. The Task Force’s operational budget for
the succeeding years shall be included in the annual budgetary
appropriation of the DOT.
Sec. 10. Submission of Report. — The Task Force
shall submit to the President a regular report on its activities,
including policy and program recommendations to enhance the
implementation of the Philippine Tourism Highway Program.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. — This Order shall take
effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila,
this 28th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred
and ninety-seven.
chanrobles virtual law library
Back to Main
chan
robles virtual law library
Since 19.07.98.