President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12236 into law which declared Maasin City and towns of Malitbog and Padre Burgos in Southern Leyte as tourism zones.
The President in signing the law on August 29 directed the development of Maasin, Malitbog and Padre Burgo as viable hosts for the visitor economy and tasked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to support its implementation.
Under the law, within one year, the provincial government of Southern Leyte, should come up with a tourism development plan including the maintenance, improvement and restoration of tourism sites in conformity with set standards, including the construction of hotels, resorts, restaurants, recreational facilities, and other appropriate facilities and infrastructure to enhance tourism in the area.
The development plan should ensure the preservation of the ecological balance and natural beauty of the area.
It should also be crafted in coordination with the DOT, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and concerned agencies of the government.
The implementation of the tourism development plan shall be sourced from the budget of the provincial government of Southern Leyte.
The DOT shall also assist the provincial government of Southern Leyte in the implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building and including the province in the agency’s national and regional promotion programs.
The law shall take effect within 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
