EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 26TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE 6^th SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD BATCH 2016-2019 OF THE CITY OF TABACO HELD AT THE SESSION HALL, LOCATED AT THE SECOND FLOOR TABACO CITY HALL BUILDING ON DECEMBER 19, 2016.

Present:

Hon. Nestor T. San Pablo                         City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer.

Hon. Luis Renir B. Burce                              President Pro-Tempore & Member,

Hon. Sheina Marie C. Onrubia                           Floor Leader & Member,

Hon. John Gio Ong-Bongao                                           Member,

Hon. Roderick P. Martirez                                             Member,

Hon. Arnaldo B. Bragais                                                Member,

Hon. Raul Roi B. Borejon                                              Member,

Hon. Oscar R. Rocha                                                     Member,

Hon. Julio C. Azada Chua, Jr.                                        Member,

Hon. Hector D. Rodriguez                                             Member, &

Hon. Preciocisima B. Tanggo (Pres., LMB)                    Member.

Absent:

N         O         N         E

Proponent:        HON. RAUL ROI B. BOREJON

                               Co-Proponents:      HON. SHEINA MARIE C. ONRUBIA

HON. JOHN GIO ONG-BONGAO

HON. JULIO C. AZADA CHUA, JR.

HON. HECTOR D. RODRIGUEZ

City Ordinance No. 013- 2016

AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE TABACO CITY TOURISM COUNCIL DEFINING ITS COMPOSITION, DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS.

WHEREAS, pursuant to RA 9593, also known as the Tourism Act of 2009, the State declares tourism as an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange and employment, and to continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride of all Filipinos;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, Local Government Units (LGUs) shall prepare, adopt, implement and monitor their local tourism programs;

WHEREAS, LGUs shall adopt the principle of sustainable tourism development in the formulation of their local tourism development plans to give due regard to the conservation of natural endowments and preservation of cultural heritage while according opportunity for local communities to achieve a better quality of life;

NOW BE IT ORDAINED, by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tabaco, that

SECTION 1. -TITLE. – This ordinance shall be known as “An Ordinance Creating the Tabaco City Tourism Council”.

SECTION 2. – PURPOSE. – For the purpose of strengthening and of continuously spearheading the efforts in the promotion and development of the tourism industry in the city, this Ordinance creating the Tabaco City Tourism Council needs to be enacted. The Tabaco City Tourism Council that shall be created shall prepare a comprehensive tourism development program for the city and implement the same upon approval by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

SECTION 3. – COMPOSITION OF THE TABACO CITY TOURISM COUNCIL. – The Council shall be composed of the following:

Chairperson:

The City Mayor

Vice- Chairperson:

The Chairman, Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Tourism

Secretary:

City Tourism Officer

Members:

SP Chair, Committee on Environment

SP Chair, Committee on Public Order and Security

SP Chair, Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications

SP Chair, Committee on Agriculture

President, Liga ng mga Barangay

City Planning and Development Officer

City Environment and Natural Resources Officer

City Engineer

City Health Officer

City Agricultural Officer

City Permit and Licensing Officer

Representative from the Hotels, Restaurant and Resorts Sector

Representative from the Travel and Tours Sector

Representative from the Furniture and Handicrafts Sector

Representative from the Souvenir Shops

Representative from the Academe Sector

Representative from the Transportation and Utilities Sector

Representative from the Farmers’ Organizations

Representative from the Market Vendors

Representative from the Traditional Industries Sector

Representative from the Tabaco Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Representative from the Media

Philippine Coast Guard

The Chief of Police

The Division Schools Superintendent

The Provincial Tourism Field Coordinator

The Council shall be composed of sixty percent (60%) from the private sector and forty percent (40%) from the government sector. The names of the members of the Council shall be determined by the City Mayor through an executive order. Private sector participation must be drawn mainly from the business sector, and must comprise majority of the membership. All associations/entities which directly represent various sectors/elements of the tourism industry in the city are automatically members of the Tabaco City Tourism Council.

SECTION 4. – MEETINGS AND QUORUM. – The Tabaco City Tourism Council shall have a minimum frequency of meetings of four (4) times a year (quarterly). Any number of the officers and members present in any meeting called upon prior written notice shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 5. – DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL. – For the purpose of this ordinance, the Tabaco City Tourism Council shall have the following duties and functions:

1. To work for unity and mutual cooperation among all members of the different sectors in the tourism industry with the end in view of striving for the common interest and welfare of the industry;
2. To coordinate rationalization of the various programs and activities undertaken by the different sectors, both government and private;
3. To act as the consultative body in matters pertaining to issues affecting the conduct of the tourism industry in the city;
4. To spearhead efforts in the formulation of policies concerning the promotion and development of tourism in the city requiring legislation or other action
5. To formulate plans and programs for the improvement of existing landmarks and tourist spots in the city, and to help identify, develop more areas for tourism development and promote potential tourism attractions;
6. To represent the tourism industry of the city in various functions and events;
7. Extend technical assistance to all tourism-oriented and related establishments;
8. Create sustainable tourism programs and projects for the community;
9. To create and promote awareness in the benefits of tourism through mixed media;
10. Help in monitoring compliance of the requirements of standards and regulations set by Department of Tourism (DOT) and other government agencies for the general welfare of tourists, visitors and community;
11. Initiate and recommend the implementation of programs and activities on tourism in coordination with the DOT, the private sector and other entities;
12. Initiate private and public partnerships in implementing tourism development plans, programs and activities;
13. Establish close coordination with barangay tourism councils to ensure responsive tourism through the prosper implementation of the Tourism Code;
14. Promote and support sustainable tourism by facilitating community based tourism activities; and
15. Facilitate resource generation for tourism activities.

SECTION 6. – BASIC CONCERNS/ACTIVITIES OF THE TABACO CITY TOURISM COUNCIL. – In the interim, it shall:

1. Promote the city as a:
2. Convention Center;
3. Religious/Historical/Cultural Center;
4. Recreation/Resort Center;
5. Business Center;
6. Eco-Tourism/Agri-Tourism Site
7. Billeting for Bicol wide visitors and tourist
8. Sell the city (site, facilities, culture, activities) to civic clubs, professional organizations, travel and tourism agencies and recommend measures to line offices of the city’s government which will improve the city’s tourism potential;
9. Initiate, maintain and monitor sanitation, cleanliness and beautification activities in the city;
10. Monitor major road and street improvements and plans particularly those that affect access to city proper and tourist spots, and to seek government action where it may be urgently needed;
11. Oversee maintenance and upkeep of public toilets and comfort areas inside restaurants, hotels, gas station, movie houses, bus stations, and other public places;
12. Coordinate and package periodic tourist events (develop and promote regular foods festivals, sport fest, cultural presentation, etc… as tourism activities) in the city;
13. Coordinate with the private sector and government agencies in the identification, planning and implementation of tourism-oriented activities;
14. Identify, plan and develop potential tourist spots in the city and study and initiate the development and establishment of a cultural/tourism museum depicting in visual arts and photos, religious and archeological artifacts, costumes and other paraphernalia, the history, culture, cultural development and achievement and religiosity of the community;
15. Study and initiate installation of highly visible (uniform) road directional signs and billboards leading to various tourist destinations in the city and at the same time institute measures to protect historical sites and the environment from any adverse effect of tourism;
16. Accredit and classify tourism-oriented establishments in accordance with standards set by the Department of Tourism (DOT);
17. Plan, develop and initiate training programs for personnel in food and lodging establishments and local tour guides (when necessary) in collaboration with accredited organizations; and
18. Liaise and coordinate with police agencies on matters of traffic and peace and order conditions affecting tourism and to monitor and assist in the early resolution of crimes reported by tourists.

SECTION 7. – SOURCE OF FUNDS – The Funds for the operationalization of the Tabaco City Tourism Council shall be taken from the Office of the City Mayor/and or the City Tourism Office and shall be incorporated in the Annual Investment Plan and Annual Budget of the City Government. An initial amount of One Million Pesos (₱ 1,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial operationalization of the Council.

SECTION 8. – SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – Any provision or portions of this ordinance found to be violated of the constitution or invalid shall not impair the other provisions or parts thereof which shall continue to be in force and in effect.

SECTION 9. – REPEALING CLAUSE. – Ordinances, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. – EFFECTIVITY. – This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

APPROVED.

We hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing Ordinance.

 (Sgd.)

               RAUL ROI B. BOREJON                            SHEINA MARIE C. ONRUBIA

                           Proponent                                                        Co-Proponent

             JOHN GIO ONG-BONGAO                             JULIO C. AZADA CHUA, JR.

                        Co-Proponent                                                   Co-Proponent

               HECTOR D. RODRIGUEZ                                    NESTOR T. SAN PABLO

                        Co-Proponent                                           City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

ATTESTED:

GLENDA B. PANTI

Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

                                                                        APPROVED:

CIELO KRISEL LAGMAN-LUISTRO

City Mayor