ADOPTING A PHILIPPINE TOURISM HIGHWAY PROGRAM TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND PROMOTE THE TOURISM POTENTIALS OF THE COUNTRY AND CREATING THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE THEREOF

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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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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,

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

(Sgd.) FIDEL
V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary

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