Mandate.
SEC. 5. Mandate. — The Department of Tourism, hereinafter referred to as the Department, shall be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and regulatory government agency in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, both domestic and international, in coordination with attached agencies and other government instrumentalities. It shall instill in the Filipino the industry’s fundamental importance in the generation of employment, investment and foreign exchange.
Powers and Functions.
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. — The Department shall have the following powers and functions:
Formulate tourism policies, plans and projects for the development of tourism as an engine of socioeconomic and cultural growth;
Supervise and coordinate the implementation of tourism policies, plans and projects;
Call upon all agencies of government to properly carry out their programs in relation to and in coordination with the policies, plans and projects of the Department and to assist in the implementation thereof;
Communicate to the President, and the heads of departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the government, the impact upon tourism and the economy of proposed governmental actions;
Provide an integrated market development program to attract people to visit the Philippines and enhance the prestige of the country and the Filipino people in the international community;
Represent the government in all domestic and international conferences and fora, and in all multilateral or bilateral treaties and international agreements concerning tourism, and ensure the government’s implementation thereof and compliance with all obligations arising therefrom;
Request the President for representation in all government agencies, offices, boards, commissions and committees that may affect tourism;
Call upon relevant government departments, agencies and offices, in consultation with the private sector, to provide access to travel, to facilitate the process of obtaining and extending visas, to integrate and simplify travel regulations and immigration procedures and to ensure their efficient, fair and courteous enforcement to assure expeditious and hospitable reception of all visitors;
Support, advance and promote the protection, maintenance and preservation of historical, cultural and natural endowments, in cooperation with appropriate government agencies and the private sector, and take appropriate measures against acts and omissions contrary to these objectives;
Monitor conditions of any community in the Philippines and, in consultation with the LGUs and law enforcers, issue timely advisories on the safety or viability of travel to particular places within the Philippines and on patronage of entities engaged in tourism-related activities and of tourism products;
Evaluate tourism development projects for the issuance of permits and the grant of incentives by appropriate government agencies, establish a databank of tourism areas and projects for investment purposes, and encourage private sector investment and participation in tourism activities and projects;
Formulate and promulgate, in consultation with the LGUs, the private sector industries and other tourism stakeholders, rules and regulations governing the operation and activities of all tourism enterprises including, but not limited to, a national standard for licensing, accreditation and classification of tourism enterprises, prescribing therein minimum levels of operating quality and efficiency for their operation in accordance with recognized international standards, impose reasonable penalties for violation of accreditation policies and recommend to the LGUs concerned the suspension or prohibition of operation of a tourism enterprise;
Monitor the LGUs’ compliance to national standards in the licensing of tourism enterprises, receive and investigate complaints concerning these enterprises, and act on such complaints to properly implement the provisions of this Act;
Ensure the proper coordination, integration, prioritization and implementation of local tourism development plans with that of the national government:
Provide technical assistance to LGUs in destination development, standard setting and regulatory enforcement;
Undertake continuing research studies and survey to analyze economic conditions and trends relating to tourism and travel, and compile and integrate a statistical databank on the tourism industry;
Delegate to regional offices, in coordination with LGUs, specific powers and functions in the implementation of tourism policies, plans and projects;
Collect necessary fees and charges for the proper implementation of tourism policies, plans and projects; and
Exercise such other powers and functions as are necessary for the implementation of this Act.
Structure of the Department.
SEC. 7. Structure of the Department. — The Department shall consist of the Department Proper, Department offices, services and unit, and the regional and foreign offices.
Department Proper.
SEC. 8. Department Proper. — The Department Proper shall consist of the Offices of the Secretary, Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. necessary for the implementation of this Act.
Office of the Secretary.
SEC. 9. Office of the Secretary. — The Office of the Secretary shall consist of the Secretary and his or her immediate staff.
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries.
SEC. 10. Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by at least three (3) Undersecretaries, namely:
Undersecretary for Tourism Development, who shall be responsible for the Office of Product Development, the Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management and the Office of Industry Manpower Development;
Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation, who shall be responsible for the Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations, the Office of Tourism Coordination, the Office of Tourism Resource Generation and all regional and foreign offices; and
Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Administration, who shall be responsible for the Office of Special Concerns, the Financial and Management Service, Administrative Affairs Service, Legal Affairs Service, Internal Audit Service and Legislative Liaison Unit.
Each Undersecretary shall he assisted by an Assistant Secretary.
Office of Product Development.
SEC. 11. Office of Product Development. — The Office of Product Development shall have the following functions:
Conceptualize and develop new products which will enhance tourism sites and facilities;
Undertake tests on the viability and acceptability of new tourism-related products and programs; and
Encourage and promote joint undertakings with the private sector for the development of new tourism-related products and programs.
Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management.
SEC. 12. Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management. — The Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management shall have the following functions:
Prepare a National Tourism Development Plan identifying geographic areas with potential tourism value and outlining approaches to developing such areas;
Formulate policies and programs for global competitiveness and national tourism development, and approve local government tourism development plans;
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, plans and programs of the Department;
Formulate an integrated marketing and promotions plan, identifying strategic market areas and niches;
Formulate, in coordination with the TIEZA, other government agencies and LGUs exercising political jurisdiction over the area, development plans for TEZs and integrating such plans with other sector plans for the area;
Conduct researches and studies, disseminate all relevant data on tourism, monitor and analyze the socioeconomic impact of tourism upon affected local communities and the nation to maximize the benefits of tourism throughout affected local communities and to avoid or mitigate possible negative impacts of the industry;
Provide technical assistance to the LGUs and the TIEZA in the preparation of local tourism development plans to ensure adherence to national policies and programs;
Coordinate with government agencies, LGUs, NGOs and other private entities for the development and implementation of the national tourism plans and policies and other relevant concerns;
Source grants or loans from local and foreign funding institutions to implement tourism policies, plans and projects;
Create and supervise management information systems for the entire Department;
Formulate and coordinate the implementation of the Department’s information system strategic plan; and
Pursue the Department’s interests in multilateral, international and regional tourism cooperation, agreements and treaties.
Office of Industry Manpower Development.
SEC. 13. Office of Industry Manpower Development. — The Office of Industry Manpower Development shall have the following functions:
Conduct seminars on Philippine history, culture, environment and related subjects, in coordination with appropriate government agencies and the private sector, specifically educational institutions;
Develop training modules and conduct seminars and continuing education programs for the industry manpower, in coordination with appropriate government agencies and tourism enterprises and associations, thereby upgrading their quality, competence and excellence in tourism services:
Encourage the development of training courses and apprenticeship programs for tourist guides and other similar workers jointly with concerned tourism enterprises, appropriate government agencies and the private sector; and
Enlist the participation of experts for the provision of technical assistance, training and education programs to LGUs, tourism enterprises and other entities to improve the quality of tourism services and issue certifications to the effect that these recipients of assistance, training and education have passed the standards set by the said experts, in accordance with this Act.
Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations.
SEC. 14. Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations. — Recognizing the need for internationally competitive standards of facilities and services, the Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations shall have the following functions:
Formulate and enforce standards for the operation and maintenance of tourism enterprises, prescribing minimum and progressive levels of operating quality and efficiency consistent with local and international standards;
Coordinate with relevant tourism enterprise associations, including adventure sports associations, in the formulation of rules and regulations, accreditation and enforcement;
Develop and enforce a comprehensive system of mandatory accreditation for primary tourism enterprises, and voluntary accreditation for secondary tourism enterprises, in accordance with prescribed guidelines and standards;
Establish a system of registration, information, linkage and mutual assistance among accredited tourism enterprises to enhance the value of accreditation and improve the quality of service rendered by such enterprises; and
Evaluate tourism projects in accordance with standards and endorse the same to appropriate government agencies for availment of incentives, and provide technical assistance to incentive-giving institutions in the formulation of tourism incentives and the administration of their functions.
Office of Tourism Coordination.
SEC. 15. Office of Tourism Coordination. - Recognizing that increased linkages are necessary between various government offices and the private sector and among the various entities in the private sector itself to properly implement tourism policy, the Office of Tourism Coordination shall have the following functions:
Maintain close coordination with national government agencies, LGUs, NGOs and other private entities for the development and implementation of national tourism plans and policies;
Call upon the assistance and support of any or all of the government agencies in the implementation of the policies of the Department; and
Support the private sector in all tourism activities requiring governmental coordination.
Office of Tourism Resource Generation.
SEC. 16. Office of Tourism Resource Generation. — In line with the objective of ensuring a sustainable funding mechanism for the implementation of tourism policies, plans, programs, projects and activities, the Office of Tourism Resource Generation shall be tasked with the collection of necessary fees and charges which shall be used by the Department in the promotion and marketing efforts of the TPB and the development of infrastructure facilities, utilities and services of the TIEZA. The proceeds of such collection shall accrue directly and automatically to the Department. The guidelines for the collection and disbursement of these proceeds shall be defined in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
There is hereby created a special fund, to be disbursed and administered by the Department, called the Tourism Development Fund, which shall be used for the development, promotion and marketing of tourism and other projects of the Department that will boost tourism in the country. The fund shall be sourced from the fees and charges which will be collected by the Department. A special account shall be established for this fund in the National Treasury. Disbursements made from the fund shall be subject to the usual accounting and budgeting rules and regulations.
Regional Offices.
SEC. 17. Regional Offices. — The Department shall establish, operate and maintain a regional office in each administrative region in the country. A regional office, headed by a regional director, shall have the following functions:
Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, rules and regulations of the Department, particularly those relating to compliance therewith, and to the accreditation of tourism enterprises promulgated by the Department;
Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, bureaus and agencies, LGUs, NGOs and the regional offices of the Department's attached agencies in the implementation of such laws, policies, plans, programs and rules and regulations;
Undertake research and data gathering on local tourism trends and other relevant tourism information;
Together with LGUs, establish such tourist information and assistance centers at strategic locations as are necessary to disseminate relevant information pertaining to the tourist locations and products and to assist tourists and tourism enterprises;
Conduct trainings and information campaigns, and assist the TPB in domestic promotions in the pertinent region on subject matters such as this Act, the functions of the Department, tourism traffic and new tourism sites, among others; and
Make recommendations to the Secretary on all matters relating to tourism in the region.
Foreign Offices.
SEC. 18. Foreign Offices. — The creation, operation and supervision of foreign field offices of the Department shall be retained therein.
Office of Special Concerns.
SEC. 19. Office of Special Concerns. — The Office of Special Concerns shall be responsible in effectively coordinating and monitoring the various directives, pronouncements and issuances of the President pertaining to the priorities of the government and the Department.
Financial and Management Service.
SEC. 20. Financial and Management Service. — The Financial and Management Service shall provide the Department with staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial and management matters and shall perform such other related functions as may be assigned or delegated to it by the Secretary.
Administrative Affairs Service.
SEC. 21. Administrative Affairs Service. — The Administrative Affairs Service shall provide the Department with staff advice and assistance on personnel information, records, communications, supplies, equipment, collection, disbursements, security, other custodial work and such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated to it by the Secretary.
Legal Affairs Service.
SEC. 22. Legal Affairs Service. — The Legal Affairs Service shall provide the Department with staff advice and assistance on all legal matters affecting the Department and perform such other related functions as may be assigned or delegated to it by the Secretary.
Internal Audit Service.
SEC. 23. Internal Audit Service. — The Internal Audit Service shall be responsible for instituting and conducting an audit program for the Department to ensure compliance with existing rules and regulations for an efficient and effective fiscal administration and performance of department affairs.
Legislative Liaison Unit.
SEC. 24. Legislative Liaison Unit. — The Legislative Liaison Unit shall establish and maintain regular coordination and liaison with Congress, monitor the passage of legislative measures that are in the Department’s agenda, provide relevant information and technical support to Members of Congress, and perform such other related functions as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary.
SUBCHAPTER II-B. RATIONALIZATION OF FUNCTIONS
Reorganization of Offices.
SEC. 25. Reorganization of Offices. — The Philippine Tourism Authority is hereby reorganized as the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, as hereinafter provided. The Philippine Conventions and Visitors Corporation is hereby reorganized as the Tourism Promotions Board, as hereinafter provided.
The Bureaus for Domestic and International Tourism Promotions, and the Office of Tourism Information of the Department are hereby absorbed into the Tourism Promotions Board.
Human Resources.
SEC. 26. Human Resources. — Where certain functions are declared redundant on account of the reorganization, the Department, the TIEZA Board and the Tourism Board shall provide for the reassignment, insofar as practicable, of affected employees to similar positions within the Department and its attached agencies, taking into consideration their skills and experience, without loss of seniority or other rights and privileges. In any case, all relevant laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations concerning the rights of government employees in the reorganization of an office shall be respected.
Optional Retirement and Compensation.
SEC. 27. Optional Retirement and Compensation. — There shall be no mandatory separation of any employee as a result of the reorganization of the Department and its attached agencies and corporations. However, if any employee elects to leave the service or retire, said employee shall be entitled to claim separation or retirement benefits as may be provided under existing laws governing the civil service or other laws and issuances, whichever may be beneficial to the employee concerned.
SUBCHAPTER II-C. ATTACHED AGENCIES AND CORPORATIONS
Attached Agencies and Corporations.
SEC. 28. Attached Agencies and Corporations. — The TPB, the TIEZA and the DFPC shall be attached to the Department and shall be under the supervision of the Secretary for program and policy coordination. Furthermore, the following agencies and corporations shall be attached to the Department under the supervision of the Secretary for program and policy coordination: the IA; the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), created under Executive Order No. 30 (1963); the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF), created under Presidential Decree No. 37 (1972), as amended; the PRA; and the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD). Except as hereinafter provided, each of the attached agencies and corporations shall continue to operate under their respective charters.
Intramuros Administration, National Parks Development Committee and Nayong Pilipino Foundation.
SEC. 29. Intramuros Administration, National Parks Development Committee and Nayong Pilipino Foundation. — The Intramuros Administration, the National Parks Development Committee and the Nayong Pilipino Foundation shall continue to be attached to the Department and operate under their respective charters. They may be authorized to operate TEZs, under the supervision of the TIEZA, as provided under Chapters IV and V of this Act, within their respective jurisdictions: Provided, That any restoration activity undertaken by the IA, the NPDC or the NPF may be entitled to a tax deduction equivalent to the full cost of the restoration activity directly incurred in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended.
Philippine Retirement Authority.
SEC. 30. Philippine Retirement Authority. - For purposes of policy and program coordination, the Philippine Retirement Authority is hereby attached to the Department and placed under the supervision of the Secretary. The Secretary shall be the ex officio Chairperson of its Board of Trustees: Provided, That this provision shall apply after the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent Chairperson.
SEC. 31. Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving — The Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving shall likewise be attached to the Department and placed under the supervision of the Secretary, who shall be the ex officio Chairperson of its Board of Trustees. It shall undertake measures to provide the standard basic dive rules to all levels or kinds of divers, regulate scuba sports and technical diving in the country and ensure the safety of the sport through the formulation of policies pursuant thereto, in coordination with the Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations, including the regulation of the accredited scuba sports and technical diving establishments.
SUBCHAPTER II-D. CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF AREAS WITH OVERLAPPING JURISDICTIONS
Rationalization of Tourism Areas, Zones and Spots.
SEC. 32. Rationalization of Tourism Areas, Zones and Spots. — Any other area specifically defined as a tourism area, zone or spot under any special or general law, decree or presidential issuance shall, as far as practicable, be organized into a TEZ under the provisions of this Act. With respect to tourism zones, areas or spots not organized into TEZs, the Department, through appropriate arrangements, may transfer control over the same or portions thereof, to another agency or office of the government, or to a LGU. This shall only be effected upon the submission by the latter, within a reasonable time, of comprehensive development plans for the use, preservation and promotion of these zones, areas or spots and upon the approval thereof by the Department. Such transfer shall not have the effect of diminishing the jurisdiction of the Department over these zones, areas or spots.
The Department shall exercise supervisory powers over such agency, office or LGU in accordance with the terms of the transfer or the development plan of the zone, area or spot. Where a government agency or office or a LGU fails to implement the comprehensive plan approved by the Department, the Department may rescind the arrangement transferring control over the tourism zone, area or spot and regain such control thereof.
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and the National Ecotourism Policy.
SEC. 33. National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and the National Ecotourism Policy. — The Department, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall identify areas covered by the NIPAS with ecotourism potentials and cultural heritage value, and prepare policies, plans and programs for their development, preservation, operation or conversion into TEZs. The designation of these areas as TEZs shall be subject to the provisions of Subchapter IV-A of this Act.
The ecotourism sites in the National Ecotourism Strategy pursuant to Executive Order No. 111 (1999) may also be developed into TEZs with the National Ecotourism Steering Committee responsible for finding the appropriate TEZ operator for the sites.
Tourism Infrastructure Program.
SEC. 34. Tourism Infrastructure Program. — The Department, in accordance with the National Tourism Development Plan and local government initiatives, shall coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in the establishment of a tourism infrastructure program in the respective work programs of said agencies, identifying therein vital access roads, airports, seaports and other infrastructure requirement in identified tourism areas. The said agencies and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall accord priority status to the funding of this tourism infrastructure program.
SUBCHAPTER II-E. SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATlONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Coordination Between National and Local Governments.
SEC. 35. Coordination Between National and Local Governments. — In view of the urgent need to develop a national strategy for tourism development while giving due regard to the principle of local autonomy, the Department, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and LGUs shall integrate and coordinate local and national plans for tourism development. The Department may provide financial and technical assistance, training and other capacity-building measures to LGUs for the preparation, implementation and monitoring of their tourism development plans, gathering of statistical data, and enforcement of tourism laws and regulations, giving due priority to areas that have been identified as strategic in the implementation of the national tourism development plan. LGUs shall ensure the implementation of such plans. The Department, the TPB and the TIEZA shall prioritize promotion and development assistance for LGUs which successfully adopt and implement their tourism development plans.
National Tourism Development Planning.
SEC. 36. National Tourism Development Planning. — The Department, in coordination with its attached agencies, LGUs and the private sector, shall continuously update the existing national tourism development plan in view of evolving needs and capabilities of LGUs and the domestic and global tourism market.
Local Tourism Development Planning.
SEC. 37. Local Tourism Development Planning. — LGUs, in consultation with stakeholders, are encouraged to utilize their powers under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, to ensure the preparation and implementation of a tourism development plan, the enforcement of standards and the collection of statistical data for tourism purposes. They shall, insofar as practicable, prepare local tourism development plans that integrate zoning, land use, infrastructure development, the national system of standards for tourism enterprises, heritage and environmental protection imperatives in a manner that encourages sustainable tourism development.
Reports.
SEC. 38. Reports. — In order to monitor the resources of the Department and to ascertain the economic and social impact of tourism, all LGUs shall provide an inventory of all the resources available to the Department for use in the implementation of this Act. They shall likewise periodically report to the Department on the status of tourism plans and programs, tourist arrivals and tourism enterprises, among others, within their jurisdictions.
Accreditation.
SEC. 39. Accreditation. — In order to encourage global competitiveness, strengthen data gathering and research on tourism, and facilitate the promotion of individual enterprises and the industry as a whole, the Department shall prescribe and regulate standards for the operation of the tourism industry. Primary tourism enterprises shall be periodically required to obtain accreditation from the Department as to the quality of their facilities and standard of services. Accreditation shall be voluntary for secondary tourism enterprises.
The Department shall evolve a system of standards for the accreditation of these enterprises in accordance with the relevant tourism development plan. These standards shall adhere, insofar as practicable, to those recognized internationally. The Department and LGUs shall ensure strict compliance of tourism enterprises with these standards.
The Department, through the Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations, shall act on complaints regarding accredited tourism enterprises, and after notice and hearing, may impose fines, or downgrade, suspend or revoke accreditation, for violation of the terms thereof. The Department shall likewise have the power and the duty to issue tourism advisories pertaining to tourism enterprises found to have violated the terms of their accreditation. A tourism advisory shall contain the following:
Complete identification of the pertinent tourism enterprise:
Location of this entity;
Its registered owner or proprietor and the business address thereof;
The specific term or terms of accreditation violated; and
The statement that the advisory shall only be lifted upon continued compliance of the enterprise with the terms of accreditation.
Tourism enterprises registered with the TIEZA in accordance with the pertinent provisions below and availing of the incentives under this Act shall further be ordered to pay back taxes in the amount equivalent to the difference between the taxes that they should have paid had they not availed of the incentives under this Act and the actual amount of taxes being paid by them under the same incentive scheme. The back taxes to be collected shall be computed up to three (3) years directly preceding the date of promulgation of the decision or order finding that the tourism enterprise violated the terms of its accreditation. For this purpose, the Department shall enlist the assistance of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in arriving at an accurate computation of back taxes to be paid by the pertinent tourism enterprise. The proceeds of these back taxes shall be distributed as follows:
One-third to the national government;
One-third to the LGUs concerned, to be shared by them equally should there be more than one such LGU and
One-third to the TIEZA.
Nothing in this section shall diminish the powers of the LGUs under the Local Government Code, pertaining to the issuance of business permits, licenses and the like. When an enterprise fails to obtain or loses accreditation, the Department shall notify the LGU concerned so that it may take appropriate action in relation to an enterprise’s licenses and permits to operate.
The Department may, under such relevant terms and conditions stipulated, delegate the enforcement of the system of accreditation to LGUs that have adopted and successfully implemented their tourism development plans.
The Department shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to enforce the provisions of this section pursuant to its powers and functions as defined under Section 6 of this Act.
Value of Accreditation.
SEC. 40. Value of Accreditation. — The Department shall develop a system to enhance the value of accreditation among primary and secondary tourism enterprises. Only accredited enterprises shall be beneficiaries of promotional, training and other programs of the Department and its attached agencies and corporations.
Accredited enterprises shall, insofar as practicable, give due preference to other accredited enterprises in obtaining relevant services.
The Department shall develop an integrated system of accreditation in coordination with concerned agencies and entities, in order to reduce the regulatory and financial burden on tourism-related enterprises.
Local Government Capabilities Enhancement.
SEC. 41. Local Government Capabilities Enhancement. — The Department shall develop support and training programs to enhance the capability of LGUs to monitor and administer tourism activities, and enforce tourism laws, rules and regulations in their respective jurisdictions. Funding for such programs shall be shared equitably between the Department and the LGUs concerned.
Tourism Officers.
SEC. 42. Tourism Officers. — Every province, city or municipality in which tourism is a significant industry shall have a permanent position for a tourism officer. He or she shall be responsible for preparing, implementing and updating local tourism development plans, and enforcing tourism laws, rules and regulations. In the performance of his or her functions, the tourism officer shall coordinate with the Department and its attached agencies.
Prior to appointment, every tourism officer must have obtained a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of substantial involvement in the tourism industry. The Department may also prescribe other relevant qualifications and require periodic completion of training programs. Such qualifications and the powers and functions of tourism officers shall be defined in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
Tourism Assistance.
SEC. 43. Tourism Assistance. — In coordination with the Department’s regional offices, every province, city or municipality in which tourism is a significant industry shall establish a tourist information and assistance center to assist tourists and tourism enterprises.
Tourism Site Classification.
SEC. 44. Tourism Site Classification. — The tourism councils established in the administrative regions of the country shall meet, on a regular basis, to classify and evaluate tourism destinations, sites and activities within their respective regions. Such classifications and evaluations may be used by the Department and its attached agencies, LGUs, and the private sector as guide in the development and implementation of their respective programs.
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
