Republic of the Philippines

Province of Palawan
Municipality of San Vicente
HON. LILIBETH B. UAPAL-OSORIO/Chairman
HON. RENATO M. FERNANDEZ/Member
HON. ROCHE V. BONGGAT/Member
HON. ANTONIO E. RABINA, JR./Member
Committee on Tourism
Sangguniang Bayan Members
San Vicente, Palawan

POLICY BRIEF
ISSUE:

Whether or not Port Bartons requests for the released and utilization of
Eco-Tourism Card collection fees amounting to Php180,100.00, be granted
for the maintenance and development of their Material Recovery Facility
(MRF) and Solid Waste Management Program respectively.

FACTS:
I.

On February 5, 2016, during the Municipal Tourism Council meeting, Hon. Mark
Acosta, Barangay Kagawad of Port Barton, proposed before the council to appropriate
funds out of the Eco-tourism collection fees for street sweepers and workers to be
assigned at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) as support to the barangays solid
waste management program, for the following reasons, to wit:
i.
ii.

98% of the total collected fees were from Port Barton;

iii.

Proliferation of wastes in coastal areas and streets due to tourist influx;

iv.

II.

III.

The highest percentage of tourist arrival in this Municipality comes from Barangay
Port Barton;

The implementation of Eco-Tourism Development and Management Fee, though

municipal wide, collections were mostly generated from Barangay Port Barton,
being one of the famous destinations in this municipality.

In relation to the provisions stated under Section 7.1.2 of the Municipal Ordinance No.
08, s-2011, the Municipal Tourism Council through Resolution No. 1, s-2016 proposed
the following considerations, to wit:
i.

That cited provision be waived for this specific year of implementation as it could
not provide major impact to a specific infrastructure project due to insignificant
amount that can be generated out of 60%-40% scheme;

ii.

That the accumulated amount equivalent to Php180,100.00 be programmed for

Solid Waste Management which is an urgent measure to maintain the cleanliness in
Port Barton during the peak season of 2016.

On March 21, 2016, Barangay Port Barton passed resolutions informing and requesting
the Honorable Maria Carmela E. Alvarez for the utilization of eco-tourism collection
fees for the purpose mention in item I.

IV.

With the assistance of the Municipal Tourism Officer, Lucylyn F. Panagsagan, Item III.
was addressed through a letter signed by Atty. Denise B. Fidel-Pampo dated April 11,
2016 with the following comments/recommendations, to wit:
1. There must be an Appropriation Ordinance vis--vis eco-tourism fund
utilization approved by the Sangguniang Bayan;
2. MTC Resolution No.1,s-2016 was passed as an immediate remedy to the
concern of Barangay Port Barton subject for the approval of the Municipal
Mayor;
3. Fund utilization shall adhere to the provisions stated under Section 7.1.2 of the
Municipal Ordinance No.08,s-2011;
4. Refer matter to the Sangguniang Bayan for further study and deliberation;
5. Encourage the Port Barton Resort Owners and Tourism Association (PBROTA)
to implement its policy on maintaining the cleanliness of their respective
beachfronts daily.

V. As of June 2016, the Eco-Tourism Development and Management Fee has a total accumulated
amount equivalent to Five Hundred Eighty One Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Five (Php
581,275.00) derived only from sales of Eco-cards;
VI. The Municipal Tourism Office formulated an Eco-Tourism Fee Implementing guidelines subject
for the approval of the Municipal Mayor..

RECOMMENDATIONS:
I.

With the above premises, it is therefore appropriate to recommend that Port Bartons
requests for the released and utilization of Eco-Tourism Card collection fees amounting
to Php 180,000.00 for the maintenance and development of their Material Recovery
Facility (MRF) and Solid Waste Management Program, be delayed/denied base on the
following facts, to wit:
1. MTC Resolution No.1,s-2016 was not signed, therefore it is deemed
disapproved;
2. No Appropriation Ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Bayan relative to the
utilization of eco-tourism fees;
3. The amount of Php500,000.00 downloaded to ten (10) barangays for
infrastructure projects (Municipal Development Council Meeting, July 19,
2016), specifically for the implementation of the Solid Waste Management, will
timely addressed the concerned of Port Barton ;
4. The Municipal Ordinance Prescribing an Eco-Tourism Development and
Management Fee in the Municipality of San Vicente, Palawan is not effectively
implemented due to its vagueness and lack of necessary provisions on the
following concerns, to wit;
4.1.

No person is permanently identified as the assigned bonded

collector deputized by the Municipal Treasurer to collect fees

(lack of personnel);
4.2. No effective system is applied in the collection of fees;
4.3. Lack of proper measures to take when tourist refuse to pay
Eco-tourism fees;
4.4. Collection of fees is solely focused in Port Barton neglecting other
areas with tourist;
4.5. There must be an Implementing Rules and Regulations supported by
an Executive Order for the implementation of Ordinance No. 08,s2011 as amended by Ordinance No. 01,s-2014 (the Municipal Tourism
Office has already drafted an IRR);
4.6. And other necessary provisions identified during further study and
deliberation of concerned committees, for the effective implementation
of the said Municipal Ordinance.

Prepared by:
Jonah Mae T. Piero1
in collaboration with
Robert G. Camacho2

1 Principal is a member of the concerned committee

2 Principal is the chairman of the committee on tourism