Specific Functions and Powers.
Section 5
SEC. 5. Specific Functions and Powers. — In the furtherance of the aforestated purposes, the Authority shall be charged and vested with the following functions and powers: A. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM PROJECTS Tourist zones. — To assist the Department of Tourism make a comprehensive survey of the physical and natural tourism resources and potentialities of the Philippines for purposes of identifying specific geographic areas with potential tourism value leading to the preparation of a national tourism development plan; to establish the order of priority for the development of said areas; to recommend to the President from time to time the proclamation of a tourist zone of any area so identified according to the established order of priority; and to define and fix the boundaries of the zone so proclaimed. Zone Development Plan. — To formulate a development plan for each zone in coordination with the Department of Tourism and other government agencies and the local government(s) exercising political jurisdiction over the area: Provided, That in case the zone in question to be developed is not solely for tourism purposes, the development plan shall cover specifically those aspects pertaining to tourism; Provided, further, That the tourism development plan is fully coordinated and integrated with other sectoral plans for the area. Submission of Plans for Tourism Projects. — Upon confirmation by the Department of Tourism, to submit to the President through the National Economic and Development Authority for review and approval all aforementioned plans before the same are enforced and/or implemented. Annual Report. — To submit to the President an Annual Report based upon the Authority's continuing assessment and evaluation of the progress of its activities in the light of its approved plans, including those done in collaboration with the various government and private entities. Tourism Priorities Plan. — To assist the Department of Tourism determine from time to time the additional capacity requirements for various tourist facilities and services throughout the country, particularly within tourist zones; to prepare a ten-year Tourism Priorities Plan enumerating specific investments which the private sector shall be induced to make with various tax and other incentives as well as financial aids provided by law and identifying the specific infrastructure works and other activities that the government or its agencies must discharge and accomplish to support or complement the investments of the private sector; and to update annually said Tourism Priorities Plan. Gather, collate and analyze statistical data and other pertinent information required for the effective implementation of this Decree. B. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF LANDS OTHER ASSETS FOR TOURIST ZONE PURPOSES Acquisition of Public Lands. — To acquire possession and ownership of all lands transferred to it from other government corporations and institutions by virtue of this Decree, and any land having tourism potential and earmarked in the Tourism Priorities Plans for intensive development into a tourist zone or as a part thereof, subject to the approval of the President. The meaning of the word "land" or "lands" as used herein and elsewhere in this Decree shall be understood to include any interest in land, the bed of any lake or river, and such structure, things or properties attached to land or permanently fastened to anything attached to land. Acquisition of Private Lands, Power of Eminent Domain. — To acquire by purchase, by negotiation or by condemnation proceedings any private land within and without the tourist zones for any of the following reasons: (a) consolidation of lands for tourist zone development purposes, (b) prevention of land speculation in areas declared as tourist zones, (c) acquisition of right of way to the zones, (d) protection of water shed areas and natural assets with tourism value, and (e) for any other purpose expressly authorized under this Decree and accordingly, to exercise the power of eminent domain under its own name, which shall proceed in the manner prescribed by law and/or the Rules of Court on condemnation proceedings. The Authority may use any mode of payment which it may deem expedient and acceptable to the land owners: Provided, That in case bonds are used as payment, the conditions and restrictions set forth in Chapter III,