The House of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading the House Bill 6683, declaring the province of La Union a tourist destination and the “Surfing Capital of the North.”
The house bill, authored by Rep. Vini Nola Ortega ABONO party-list, aims not only to showcase the beauty of La Union’s beaches but to encourage sports, health awareness and true appreciation of nature, the environment, and the importance of its continued upkeep and development, among locals and tourists.
Under House bill 6683, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies are mandated to develop La Union as a tourist destinations.
According to Ortega, La Union town of San Juan attracts thousands of tourists every year during its two surfing seasons: July to October and November to March every year.
During surfing seasons, Ortega said the local government also holds events, festivals, and even healthy competitions.
The tourism development plan shall also ensure the accessibility and security of tourists.
The bill provides that the DOT and other concerned agencies implement the development plan, incorporate it in its annual tourism development programs, and include its funding in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) and from internally-generated funds of the DOT.
Within 90 days after the effectivity of the Act, the DOT, together with local government of La Union and other concerned government agencies, shall devise necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of the Act.
Other authors of the bill are committee on appropriations chairman Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles of the 1st District of Davao City, and ommittee on tourism chairperson Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez of the 4th District of Leyte. (Tretch Melarpes – PTV)
