Pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11407 or An Act Declaring the Candon City Ecotourism Zone located in Barangay Palacapac, Barangay San Andres, Barangay Cubcubbuot, and Barangay Amguid in the City of Candon, Province of Ilocos Sur a Tourist Destination, Providing for its Development and Appropriating Funds Therefor, the following Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are hereby promulgated:

I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Short Title. - These rules and regulations shall be known as the "Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Candon City Ecotourism Zone Act".

2. Declaration of Policy. - The Candon City Ecotourism Zone (CCEZ) located in the City of Candon, Province of Ilocos Sur, is hereby declared a tourist destination. As such, its development, with consideration to its physical and natural characteristics as well as the surrounding communities and barangays, shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourist destinations.

II.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of these Implementing Rules and Regulations, the following terms, words, and phrases shall mean and be understood as follows:

a. "Attached agencies" refer to the agencies attached to the DOT such as, but not limited to, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

b. "Ecotourism" refers to a form of sustainable tourism within natural and/or cultural heritage areas where community participation, protection, and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and for the satisfaction of visitors.

c. "Ecotourism Zone" refers to areas that will allow visitors to experience a form of sustainable tourism within a given natural and/or cultural area where community participation, conservation, and management of biodiversity, respect for culture, and indigenous knowledge systems and practices, environmental education, and ethics as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors. The area may include, but are not limited to: sites of scenic natural or rural beauty; areas for observing wildlife; areas for low impact activities such as camping, trekking, climbing, spelunking, diving, surfing, and other similar activities; and sites for observing and interacting with traditional or indigenous practices in relation to the environment.

d. "Tourist destination" refers to a specific place which tourists come to see and experience. It may be an existing natural attraction; an area of natural scenic beauty; or a man-made attraction. It cal also be an area for potential development or enhancement for tourism.

III.
COVERAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

4. Scope and Coverage. - The technical description of Candon City Ecotourism Zone (CCEZ) being declared as a tourist destination are as follows:

Beginning at a point marked 1, being identical to MBM No. 31, CAD 103, Candon Cadastre Ilocos Sur.

thence	N 84 6' 59" W	686.12 m.	to point 2
thence	N 84 7' 0" W	425.07 m.	to point 3
thence	N 84 6' 59" W	797.34 m.	to point 4
thence	N 84 6' 51" W	117.90 m.	to point 5
thence	N 68 27' 21" E	45.89 m.	to point 6
thence	N 19 42' 50" W	226.67 m.	to point 7
thence	N 26 47' 3" E	35.06 m.	to point 8
thence	N 45 42' 2" E	79.78 m.	to point 9
thence	N 64 16' 59" E	30.81 m.	to point 10
thence	N 11 55' 52" E	3.40 m.	to point 11
thence	N 3 39' 25" E	120.09 m.	to point 12
thence	N 28 10' 33" E	167.03 m.	to point 13
thence	N 60 46' 27" E	70.91 m.	to point 14
thence	N 16 50' 0" W	16.75 m.	to point 15
thence	N 67 17' 22" W	12.17 m.	to point 16
thence	S 89 28' 20" W	17.37 m.	to point 17
thence	N 78 35' 46" W	17.95 m.	to point 18
thence	N 59 34' 51" W	80.44 m.	to point 19
thence	N 30 36' 34" W	56.05 m.	to point 20
thence	N 51 18' 59" W	41.77 m.	to point 21
thence	N 2 14' 40" E	34.73 m.	to point 22
thence	N 22 8' 12" E	70.72 m.	to point 23
thence	N 1 25' 42" W	23.27 m.	to point 24
thence	S 47 1' 4" E	22.69 m.	to point 25
thence	N 50 29' 33" E	8.93 m.	to point 26
thence	N 44 27' 32" E	184.95 m.	to point 27
thence	N 70 46' 10" W	104.99 m.	to point 28
thence	N 56 19' 56" E	119.97 m.	to point 29
thence	S 39 17' 31" E	29.15 m.	to point 30
thence	N 34 50' 13" E	109.32 m.	to point 31
thence	N 32 22' 46" W	116.18 m.	to point 32
thence	N 16 24' 1" E	148.40 m.	to point 33
thence	N 3 43' 28" W	20.47 m.	to point 34
thence	N 67 55' 55' W	28.35 m.	to point 35
thence	S 88 10' 43" W	66.39 m.	to point 36
thence	N 42 54 29" W	49.01 m.	to point 37
thence	N 49 5' 31" W	36.47 m.	to point 38
thence	N 19 43' 50" E	174.68 m.	to point 39
thence	S 83 26' 13" E	41.47 m.	to point 40
thence	N 40 51' 28" W	17.92 m.	to point 41
thence	N 1 48' 19" W	109.50 m.	to point 42
thence	S 88 17' 6" E	3.34 m.	to point 43
thence	N 6 28' 40" E	41.84 m.	to point 44
thence	S 73 3' 1" E	28.06 m.	to point 45
thence	N 83 35' 39" E	65.70 m.	to point 46
thence	S 66 40' 59" E	52.88 m.	to point 47
thence	N 53 48' 23" E	41.34 m.	to point 48
thence	N 65 47' 57" E	53.23 m.	to point 49
thence	N 83 56' 6" E	34.93 m.	to point 50
thence	N 72 8' 4" E	75.72 m.	to point 51
thence	S 76 33' 24" E	67.49 m.	to point 52
thence	S 88 10' 40" E	125.49 m.	to point 53
thence	S 85 46' 59" E	430.03 m.	to point 54
thence	S 78 42' 29" E	303.47 m.	to point 55
thence	N 87 45' 26" E	139.78 m.	to point 56
thence	S 6 4' 53" E	210.28 m.	to point 57
thence	N 73 35' 43" E	731.88 m.	to point 58
thence	S 17 52' 47" W	299.30 m.	to point 59
thence	S 78 11' 5" E	1.99 m.	to point 60
thence	N 76 25' 2" E	139.67 m.	to point 61
thence	S 11 24' 1" W	330.21 m.	to point 62
thence	S 11 26' 18" W	313.89 m.	to point 63
thence	S 11 52' 28" W	327.92 m.	to point 64
thence	S 11 29' 29" W	805.03 m.	to point 1

to the point of beginning, containing an area of three hundred ninety-five and 25/100 (395.25) hectares, more or less.

The metes and bounds of the CCEZ shall be indicated on maps and/or nautical charts. Contiguous or adjacent having similar flora and fauna as the area described above shall be deemed included only for purposes of conservation and protection. Any modification of the coverage of the ecotourism zone due to such factors as changing ecological situation, new scientific or archaeological findings, or discovery of traditional boundaries nor previously taken into account, shall be made through an act of Congress, after consultation with the concerned government agencies.

IV.
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN

5. Candon City Ecotourism Zone Development Plan. - The Cnadon City Ecotourism Zone Tourism Development Plan, hereafter referred to as the "Plan", shall include the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure which will improve the overall feature of the area, thereby ensuring its accessibility and security of tourists. The Plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the environmental and historic significance of the area. All activities and development to be carried out in the area as part of the Plan should conform to the concept of ecotourism as provided in the National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP) jointly issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the DOT.

6. Preparation. - The DOT, through the DOT Regional Office, and in coordination with the Local Government Units concerned as well as the TIEZA, DENR, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other relevant agencies of the govenrment, shall prepare the Plan outlining the comprehensive set of programs, projects, and activities for the development of Candon City Ecotourism Zone as a tourist destination.

7. Development Components. - As supplement to any existing action plan by the relevant Local Government Unit, the following development components must be incorporated into the Plan:

a. Road networks;

b. Infrastructure;

c. Electricity;

d. Water Source;

e. Telecommunication;

f. Distribution of opportunities and benefits from ecotourism development in the CCEZ with other barangays; and

g. Administrative body dedicated to facilities in the Ecotourism Zone.

V.
IMPLEMENTATION

8. Primary Implementers and Primary Partners. - The primary implementers of the development plan are the LGUs of Candon City in collaboration with Barangays Palacapac, San Andres, Cubcubbuot, Amguid (and others included in the land area covered by CCEZ). The Municipalities of Sta. Lucia and Salcedo, on the other hand, are designated as the primary partners.

9. Partner Agencies. - The primary partner agencies are the DOT, TIEZA, DENR, DPWH, Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Education (DepEd), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), along with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). The primary partner agencies shall provide assistance to the Candon City Ecotourism Zone in accordance with their respective mandates as well as the roles designated for them under the NESAP 2013-2022.

a. DOT - To ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are shared to a wider segment of the population and that responsible tourism is practiced in the area.

b. TIEZA - To act as DOT's implementing arm for infrastructure and development.

c. DENR - To fulfill its responsibility for the conservation, management, development, and sustainable use of the country's environment and natural resources.

d. DPWH - To build and maintain the roads and bridges that provide accessibility to the ecotourism sites.

e. DA - To promote and sustain the inclusive development of farming and fishing communities.

f. BFAR - To fulfill its responsibility to develop, improve, manage, and conserve the country's fishery and aquatic resources.

g. DepEd, HEIs, SUCs - To provide continuity of knowledge on the CCEZ research, extension, and production related to ecotourism, studies on local literature, cultural narratives and practices.

h. TESDA - To organize tourism-related vocational training in coordination with the DOT.

i. DTI - To foster the development of local products that can be promoted and marketed internationally. It should also enhance tourism-related business establishments, and coordinate, promote, and facilitate trade, industry, and investment activities in the ecotourism.

j. DOH - To assist the DENR and DOT, along with other concerned agencies, in terms of visitor management (i.e. carrying capacity, site development plan, zoning plan, etc.).

k. DOST - To protect the natural resources of the area by providing insights as to carrying capacity for sustainable ecotourism; develop technological advances to address existing environmental issues.

l. NWRB - To oversee the water line concerns of the subject area.

m. NCCA - To support conservation of the cultural heritage resource base of ecotourism.

n. NGOs - To implement, on a limited basis, ecotourism related programs and projects as components of their conservation or environmental management programs, which are usually implemented in partnership with government agencies like DENR or LGUs.

10. Implementation. - The DOT, with its Attached Agencies, in close coordination with the LGUs and other above-mentioned govenrment agencies, shall take immediate steps to implement the Plan that will suit the needs of the CCEZ and shall incorporate the same in the National Tourism Development Plan.

11. Execution of Memorandum of Agreement. Candon City may seek the assistance of and forge partnerships with other LGUs within CCEZ, other government agencies, and NGOs including the private sector to ensure the implementation of this IRR and its tourism development plan.

V.
FINAL PROVISIONS

12. Appropriations. - The DOT shall include in its program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated funds.

13. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this IRR or parts thereof are declared unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the other provisions.

14. Repealing Clause. - Any existing rules and regulations or circulars previously issued by the DOT which are inconsistent with the provisions of this IRR are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

15. Effectivity. - Ths IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a local newspaper of general circulation.

24 October 2022.

 
   
 

(SGD.) MA. ESPERANZA CHRISTINA GARCIA FRASCO

Secretary