Philippines Education, Science, Arts, Culture and Sports PDF

Section 3. ARTICLE XIV EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND 1. All educational institutions shall TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND include the study of the Constitution SPORTS as part of the curricul...

Section 3. ARTICLE XIV EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND 1. All educational institutions shall TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND include the study of the Constitution SPORTS as part of the curricula. 2. They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the EDUCATION historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of Section 1. The State shall protect and citizenship, strengthen ethical and promote the right of all citizens to quality spiritual values, develop moral education at all levels, and shall take character and personal discipline, appropriate steps to make such education encourage critical and creative accessible to all. thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote Section 2. The State shall: vocational efficiency. 1. Establish, maintain, and support a 3. At the option expressed in writing by complete, adequate, and integrated the parents or guardians, religion shall system of education relevant to the be allowed to be taught to their needs of the people and society; children or wards in public elementary 2. Establish and maintain, a system of and high schools within the regular free public education in the class hours by instructors designated elementary and high school levels. or approved by the religious Without limiting the natural rights of authorities of the religion to which the parents to rear their children, children or wards belong, without elementary education is compulsory additional cost to the Government. for all children of school age; Section 4. 3. Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan 1. The State recognizes the programs, subsidies, and other complementary roles of public and incentives which shall be available to private institutions in the educational deserving students in both public and system and shall exercise reasonable private schools, especially to the supervision and regulation of all under-privileged; educational institutions. 4. Encourage non-formal, informal, and 2. Educational institutions, other than indigenous learning systems, as well those established by religious groups as self-learning, independent, and and mission boards, shall be owned out-of-school study programs solely by citizens of the Philippines or particularly those that respond to corporations or associations at least community needs; and sixty per centum of the capital of 5. Provide adult citizens, the disabled, which is owned by such citizens. The and out-of-school youth with training in Congress may, however, require civics, vocational efficiency, and other increased Filipino equity participation skills. in all educational institutions. The  control and administration of 3. Every citizen has a right to select a educational institutions shall be vested profession or course of study, subject in citizens of the Philippines. to fair, reasonable, and equitable No educational institution shall be admission and academic established exclusively for aliens and requirements. no group of aliens shall comprise 4. The State shall enhance the right of more than one-third of the enrollment teachers to professional in any school. The provisions of this advancement. Non-teaching academic sub section shall not apply to schools and non-academic personnel shall established for foreign diplomatic enjoy the protection of the State. personnel and their dependents and, 5. The State shall assign the highest unless otherwise provided by law, for budgetary priority to education and other foreign temporary residents. ensure that teaching will attract and 3. All revenues and assets of non-stock, retain its rightful share of the best non-profit educational institutions used available talents through adequate actually, directly, and exclusively for remuneration and other means of job educational purposes shall be exempt satisfaction and fulfillment. from taxes and duties. Upon the dissolution or cessation of the LANGUAGE corporate existence of such institutions, their assets shall be Section 6. The national language of the disposed of in the manner provided by Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be law. further developed and enriched on the basis Proprietary educational institutions, of existing Philippine and other languages. including those cooperatively owned, Subject to provisions of law and as the may likewise be entitled to such Congress may deem appropriate, the exemptions, subject to the limitations Government shall take steps to initiate and provided by law, including restrictions sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of on dividends and provisions for official communication and as language of reinvestment. instruction in the educational system. 4. Subject to conditions prescribed by law, all grants, endowments, Section 7. For purposes of communication donations, or contributions used and instruction, the official languages of the actually, directly, and exclusively for Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise educational purposes shall be exempt provided by law, English. from tax. The regional languages are the auxiliary Section 5. official languages in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein. 1. the State shall take into account regional and sectoral needs and Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a conditions and shall encourage local voluntary and optional basis. planning in the development of educational policies and programs. Section 8. This Constitution shall be 2. Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in promulgated in Filipino and English and shall all institutions of higher learning. be translated into major regional languages, their intellectual property and creations, Arabic, and Spanish. particularly when beneficial to the people, for such period as may be provided by law. Section 9. The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed of ARTS AND CULTURE representatives of various regions and disciplines which shall undertake, coordinate, Section 14. The State shall foster the and promote researches for the development, preservation, enrichment, and dynamic propagation, and preservation of Filipino and evolution of a Filipino national culture based other languages. on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY expression. Section 10. Science and technology are Section 15. Arts and letters shall enjoy the essential for national development and patronage of the State. The State shall progress. The State shall give priority to conserve, promote, and popularize the research and development, invention, nation's historical and cultural heritage and innovation, and their utilization; and to science resources, as well as artistic creations. and technology education, training, and services. It shall support indigenous, Section 16. All the country's artistic and appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure technological capabilities, and their application of the nation and shall be under the protection to the country's productive systems and of the State which may regulate its disposition. national life. Section 17. The State shall recognize, Section 11. The Congress may provide for respect, and protect the rights of indigenous incentives, including tax deductions, to cultural communities to preserve and develop encourage private participation in programs of their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It basic and applied scientific research. shall consider these rights in the formulation Scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of of national plans and policies. incentives shall be provided to deserving science students, researchers, scientists, Section 18. inventors, technologists, and specially gifted 1. The State shall ensure equal access citizens. to cultural opportunities through the Section 12. The State shall regulate the educational system, public or private transfer and promote the adaptation of cultural entities, scholarships, grants technology from all sources for the national and other incentives, and community benefit. It shall encourage the widest cultural centers, and other public participation of private groups, local venues. governments, and community-based 2. The State shall encourage and organizations in the generation and utilization support researches and studies on the of science and technology. arts and culture. Section 13. The State shall protect and SPORTS secure the exclusive rights of scientists, Section 19. inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to  1. The State shall promote physical CHAPTER I education and encourage sports GENERAL PROVISIONS programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be international competitions, to foster known as "The Tourism Act of 2009". self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State healthy and alert citizenry. declares tourism as an indispensable element 2. All educational institutions shall of the national economy and an industry of undertake regular sports activities national interest and importance, which must throughout the country in cooperation be harnessed as an engine of socioeconomic with athletic clubs and other sectors. growth and cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange and employment, and to continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Elements of Employer-Employee Filipinos. Relationship Towards this end, the State shall seek to: (1) the selection and engagement of the (a) Ensure the development of Philippine employee; tourism that is for and by the Filipino people, conserve and promote their heritage, national (2) the payment of wages; identity and sense of unity; (3) the power of dismissal; (b) Recognize sustainable tourism development as integral to the national (4) the employer's power to control the socioeconomic development efforts to employee's conduct. improve the quality of life of the Filipino people, providing the appropriate attention and support for the growth of this industry; REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9593 (c) Promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, AN ACT DECLARING A NATIONAL POLICY participative, culturally sensitive, economically FOR TOURISM AS AN ENGINE OF viable, and ethically and socially equitable for INVESTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, GROWTH local communities; AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND STRENGTHENING THE DEPARTMENT OF (d) Create a favorable image of the TOUMSM AND ITS ATTACHED AGENCIES Philippines within the international community, TO EFFECTIVELY EFFICIENTLY thereby strengthening the country’s attraction IMPLEMENT THAT POLICY, AND as a tourism destination and eventually paving APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR the way for other benefits that may result from a positive global view of the country; Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in (e) Develop the country as a prime tourist hub Congress assembled: in Asia, as well as a center of world congresses and conventions, by promoting sustainable tourism anchored principally on travel industry and independent tour operation the country’s history, culture and natural industry; endowments, and ensuring the protection, preservation and promotion of these (g) Enhance the collection, analysis and resources; and dissemination of data which accurately measure the economic and social impact of (f) Encourage private sector participation and tourism in the country to facilitate planning in agri - tourism for countryside development the public and private sectors; and preservation of rural life. (h) Ensure the right of the people to a Section 3. Objectives. - Pursuant to the balanced and healthful ecology through the above declaration, the State shall adopt the promotion of activities geared towards following objectives: environmental protection, conservation and restoration; (a) Develop a national tourism action plan and work for its adoption and implementation by (i) Develop responsible tourism as a strategy national and local governments; for environmentally sound and community participatory tourism programs, enlisting the (b) Encourage activities and programs which participation of local communities, including promote tourism awareness, preserve the indigenous peoples, in conserving bio - country’s diverse cultures and heritage, and physical and cultural diversity, promoting instill a sense of history and a culture of environmental understanding and education, tourism among the youth and the populace; providing assistance in the determination of ecotourism sites and ensuring full enjoyment (c) All things being equal, grant preferential of the benefits of tourism by the concerned treatment to the employment of Filipino communities; nationals in tourism - related enterprises; (j) Strengthen the role of tourism councils and (d) Provide full government assistance by way encourage the participation of nongovernment of competitive investment incentives, long - organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations term development fund and other financing (NGOs) and the private sector in initiating schemes extended to tourism - related programs for tourism development and investments; environmental protection; (e) Ensure that tourism development protects (k) Promote the progressive development of and promotes the general well - being of the existing civil aviation, land and sea Filipino people, particularly in the area of transportation policies as they relate to investment, to include the monitoring and tourism, in consonance with existing bilateral prevention of any act of profiteering or agreements and inter - agency speculation to the detriment of local residents, pronouncements; as well as the exploitation of women and children in tourism; (l)Promote and ensure the convention - handling capability of the country as a world - (f) Encourage competition in the tourism class convention center; industry and maximize consumer choice by enhancing the continued viability of the retail (m) Achieve a balance in tourism development between urban and rural areas in order to spread the benefits of tourism and contribute (c) "Duty Free Philippines (DFP)" refers to the to poverty alleviation, better access to government agency created pursuant to infrastructure and to a reduction in regional Executive Order No. 46 (1986). imbalances; (d) "Duty Free Philippines Corporation (n) Enhance capability - building of local (DFPC)’’ refers to the corporate entity created government units (LGUs), in partnership with out of DFP pursuant to this Act. the private sector, in the management of local tourism projects and initiatives, thereby (e) "Philippine Conventions and Visitors ensuring accessible and affordable Corporation (PCVC)" refers to the corporate destinations throughout the country, especially entity created pursuant to Presidential Decree in areas which have shown strong No. 867, as amended. comparative advantage; (f) "Intramuros Administration (IA)" refers to (o) Maintain international standards of the government agency created pursuant to excellence in all tourism facilities and Presidential Decree No. 1616 (1979), as services, and promote the country as a safe amended. and wholesome tourist destination; (g) "Philippine Retirement Authority (F’RA)’’ (p) Enhance international business relations refers to the government agency created for the support of tourism projects of the pursuant to Executive Order No. 1037 private sector, through5 partnerships, joint (1985).6 ventures and other cooperative undertakings involving local and foreign investors; (h) "Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)" refers to the (q) Support the establishment of tourism government agency created pursuant to this enterprise zones (TEZs), which will provide Act. the necessary vehicle to coordinate actions of the public and private sectors to address (i) "Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ)" refers to development barriers, attract and focus tourism investment on specific geographic areas and (i) "TEZ overseer" refers to any person who upgrade product and service quality; and shall be appointed by the TIEZA in specific (r) Ensure a sustainable funding mechanism zones to perform such functions as may be for the implementation of tourism policies, delegated by the TIEZA in accordance with plans, programs, projects and activities. law. enterprise zones created pursuant to this Act. Section 4. Definition of Terms. - The following terms, as used in this Act, are defined as (k) "TEZ operator" refers to an entity duly follows: incorporated under Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, otherwise known as The Corporation Code of (a) "Department" refers to the Department of the Philippines, and other relevant laws, Tourism created pursuant to Presidential whose capital may be provided by LGUs Decree No. 189 (1973), as amended. and/or private entities, and which shall administer and supervise each TEZ. (b) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Tourism. (l) "TEZ Administrator" refers to the person appointed by the Board of Directors of a TEZ operator who shall be responsible for (r) "Secondary tourism enterprises" refers to implementing the policies, plans and projects all other tourism enterprises not covered by of the TEZ operator. the preceding subsection. (m) "Registered enterprise" refers to au (s) "Greenfield Tourism Zone" refers to a new enterprise located within a TEZ that is duly - or pioneer development, as determined by the registered with the TIEZA. TIEZA. (n) "Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA)" refers (t) "Brownfield Tourism Zone" refers to an area to the existing implementation arm of the with existing infrastructure or development as Department of Tourism created pursuant to determined by the TIEZA. Presidential Decree No. 189 (1973), as amended. (u) "Foreign visitors" refers to all passengers using foreign passports. I (o) "Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)" refers to the body corporate created under this Act. (v) "Sustainable tourism development" refers to the management of all resources that (p) "Tourism enterprises" refers to facilities, meets the needs of tourists and host regions services and attractions involved in tourism, while protecting the opportunities for the such as, but not limited to: travel and tour future, in such a way that economic, social services; tourist transport services, whether and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while for land, sea or air transportation; tour guides; maintaining cultural integrity, essential adventure sports services involving such ecological processes, biological diversity and sports as mountaineering, spelunking, scuba life support systems. diving and other sports activities of significant tourism potential; convention organizers; CHAPTER II accommodation establishments, including, but TOURISM GOVERNANCE not limited to, 7 hotels, resorts, apartelles, tourist inns, motels, pension houses and SUBCHAPTER 11 - A. STRUCTURE OF THE home stay operators: tourisnl estate DFJ’ARTMENT management services, restaurants, shops and department stores, sports and recreational Section 5. Mandate. - The Department of centers, spas, museums and galleries, theme Tourism, hereinafter referred to as the parks, convention centers and zoos. Department, shall be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and (q) "Primary tourism enterprises" refers to I8 regulatory government agency in the travel and tour services; land, sea and air development and promotion of the tourism transport services exclusively for tourist use; industry, both domestic and international, in accommodation establishments; convention coordination with attached agencies and other and exhibition organizers; tourism estate government instrumentalities. It shall instill in management services; and such other the Filipino the industry’s fundamental enterprises as may be identified by the importance in the generation of employment, Secretary, after due consultation with investment and foreign exchange. concerned sectors. Section 6. Powers and Functions. - The Department shall have the following powers and functions: (a) Formulate tourism policies, plans and expeditious and hospitable reception of all projects for the development of tourism as an visitors; engine of socioeconomic and cultural growth; (i) Support, advance and promote the (b) Supervise and coordinate the protection, maintenance and preservation of implementation of tourism policies, plans and historical, cultural and natural endowments, in projects; cooperation with appropriate government agencies and the private sector, and take (c) Call upon all agencies of government to appropriate measures against acts and properly carry out their programs in relation to omissions contrary to these objectives; and in coordination with the policies, plans and projects of the Department and to assist (j) Monitor conditions of any community in the in the implementation thereof; Philippines and, in consultation with the LGUs and law enforcers, issue timely advisories on (d) Communicate to the President, and the the safety or viability of travel to particular heads of departments, agencies and places within the Philippines and on instrumentalities of the government, the patronage of entities engaged in tourism - impact upon tourism and the economy of related activities and of tourism products; proposed governmental actions; (k) Evaluate tourism development projects for (e) Provide an integrated market development the issuance of permits and the grant of program to attract people to visit the incentives by appropriate government Philippines and enhance the prestige of the agencies, establish a databank of tourism country and the Filipino people in the areas and projects for investment purposes, international community; and encourage private sector investment and participation in tourism activities and projects; (f) Represent the government in all domestic and international conferences and fora, and in (I) Formulate and promulgate, in consultation all multilateral or bilateral treaties and with the LGUs, the private sector industries international agreements concerning tourism, and other tourism stakeholders, rules and and ensure the government’s implementation regulations governing the operation and thereof and compliance with all obligations activities of all tourism enterprises including, arising therefrom; but not limited to, a national standard for licensing, accreditation and classification of (g) Request the President for representation in tourism enterprises, prescribing therein all government agencies, offices, boards, minimum levels of operating quality and commissions and committees that may affect efficiency for their operation in accordance tourism; with recognized international standards, impose reasonable penalties for violation of (h)Call upon relevant government accreditation policies and recommend to the departments, agencies and offices, in LGUs concerned the suspension or prohibition consultation with the private sector, to provide of operation of a tourism enterprise; access to travel, to facilitate the process of obtaining and extending visas, to integrate (m) Monitor the LGUs’ compliance to national and simplify travel regulations and immigration standards in the licensing of tourism procedures and to ensure their efficient, fair enterprises, receive and investigate10 and courteous enforcement to assure complaints concerning these enterprises, and act on such complaints to properly implement (a) Undersecretary for Tourism Development, the provisions of this Act; who shall be responsible for the Office of Product Development, the Office of Tourism (n) Ensure the proper coordination, Development Planning, Research and integration, prioritization and implementation Information Management and the Office of of local tourism development plans with that of Industry Manpower Development; the national government: (b) Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, (o) Provide technical assistance to LGUs in Coordination and Resource Generation, who destination development, standard setting and shall be responsible for the Office of Tourism regulatory enforcement; Standards and Regulations, the Office of Tourism Coordination, the Office of Tourism (p) Undertake continuing research studies and Resource Generation and all regional and survey to analyze economic conditions and foreign offices; and trends relating to tourism and travel, and compile and integrate a statistical databank on (c) Undersecretary for Special Concerns and the tourism industry; Administration, who shall be responsible for the Office of Special Concerns, the Financial (q) Delegate to regional offices, in and Management Service, Administrative coordination with LGUs, specific powers and Affairs Service, Legal Affairs Service, Internal functions in the implementation of tourism Audit Service and Legislative Liaison Unit. policies, plans and projects; Each Undersecretary shall he assisted by an (r) Collect necessary fees and charges for the Assistant Secretary. proper implementation of tourism policies, plans and projects; and Section 11. Office of Product Development. - The Office of Product Development shall have (s) Exercise such other powers and functions the following functions: as are (a) Conceptualize and develop new products Section 7. Structure of the Department. - The which will enhance tourism sites and facilities; Department shall consist of the Department Proper, Department offices, services and unit, (b) Undertake tests on the viability and and the regional and foreign offices. acceptability of new tourism - related products and programs: and Section 8. Department Proper. - The Department Proper shall consist of the Offices (c) Encourage and promote joint undertakings of the Secretary, Undersecretaries and with the private sector for the development of Assistant Secretaries. necessary for the new tourism - related products and programs. implementation of this Act. Section 12. Office of Tourism Development Section 9. Office of the Secretary. - The Planning, Research and Information Office of the Secretary shall consist of the Management. - The Office of Tourism Secretary and his or her immediate staff. Development Planning, Research and Information Management shall have the Section 10. Undersecretaries and Assistant following functions: Secretaries. - The Secretary shall be assisted by at least three (3) Undersecretaries, namely: (a) Prepare a National Tourism Development (i) Source grants or loans from local and Plan identifying geographic areas with foreign funding institutions to implement potential tourism value and outlining tourism policies, plans and projects; approaches to developing such areas; (i) Create and supervise management (b) Formulate policies and programs for global information systems for the entire Department; competitiveness and national tourism development, and approve local government (k) Formulate and coordinate the tourism development plans; implementation of the Department’s information system strategic plan; and (c) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, plans and programs of the (l) Pursue the Department’s interests in Department; multilateral, international and regional tourism cooperation, agreements and treaties. (d) Formulate an integrated marketing and promotions plan, identifying strategic market Section 13. Office of Industry Manpower areas and niches; Development. - The Office of Industry Manpower Development shall have the (e) Formulate, in coordination with the TIEZA, following functions: other government agencies and LGUs exercising political jurisdiction over the area, (a) Conduct seminars on Philippine history, development plans for TEZs and integrating culture, environment and related subjects, in such plans with other sector plans for the coordination with appropriate government area; agencies and the private sector, specifically educational institutions; (f) Conduct researches and studies, disseminate all relevant data on tourism, (b) Develop training modules and conduct monitor and analyze the socioeconomic seminars and continuing education programs impact of tourism upon affected local for the industry manpower, in coordination communities and the nation to maximize the with appropriate government agencies and benefits of tourism throughout affected local tourism enterprises and associations, thereby communities and to avoid or mitigate possible upgrading their quality, competence and negative impacts of the industry; excellence in tourism services: (g) Provide technical assistance to the LGUs (c) Encourage the development of training and the TIEZA in the preparation of local courses and apprenticeship programs for tourism development plans to ensure tourist guides and other similar workers jointly adherence to national policies and programs; with concerned tourism enterprises, appropriate government agencies and the (h) Coordinate with government agencies, private sector; and LGUs, NGOs and other private entities for the development and implementation of the (d) Enlist the participation of experts for the national tourism plans and policies and other provision of technical assistance, training and relevant concerns; education programs to LGUs, tourism enterprises and other entities to improve the quality of tourism services and issue certifications to the effect that these recipients of assistance, training and education have necessary between various government passed the standards set by the said experts, offices and the private sector and among the in accordance with this Act. various entities in the private sector itself to properly implement tourism policy, the Office Section 14. Office of Tourism Standards and of Tourism Coordination shall have the Regulations. - Recognizing the need for following functions: internationally competitive standards of facilities and services, the Office of Tourism (a) Maintain close coordination with national Standards and Regulations shall have the government agencies, LGUs, NGOs and other following functions: private entities for the development and implementation of national tourism plans and (a) Formulate and enforce standards for the policies; operation and maintenance of tourism enterprises, prescribing minimum and (b) Call upon the assistance and support of progressive levels of operating quality and any or all of the government agencies in the efficiency consistent with local and implementation of the policies of the international standards; Department; and (b) Coordinate with relevant tourism enterprise (c) Support the private sector in all tourism associations, including adventure sports activities associations, in the formulation of rules and regulations, accreditation and enforcement; Section 16. Office of Tourism Resource Generation. - In line with the objective of (c) Develop and enforce a comprehensive ensuring a sustainable funding mechanism for system of mandatory accreditation for primary the implementation of tourism policies, plans, tourism enterprises, and voluntary programs, projects and activities, the Office of accreditation for secondary tourism Tourism Resource Generation shall be tasked enterprises, in accordance with prescribed with the collection of necessary fees and guidelines and standards; charges which shall be used by the Department in the promotion and marketing (d) Establish a system of registration, efforts of the requiring governmental information, linkage and mutual assistance coordination. TPB and the development of among accredited tourism enterprises to infrastructure facilities, utilities and services of enhance the value of accreditation and the TIEZA. The proceeds of such collection improve the quality of service rendered by shall accrue directly and automatically to the such enterprises; and Department. The guidelines for the collection and disbursement of these proceeds shall be (e) Evaluate tourism projects in accordance defined in the implementing rules and with standards and endorse the same to regulations of this Act. appropriate government agencies for availment of incentives, and provide technical There is hereby created a special fund, to be assistance to incentive - giving institutions in disbursed and administered by the the formulation of tourism incentives and the Department, called the Tourism Development administration of their functions. Fund, which shall be used for the development, promotion and marketing of Section 15. Office of Tourism Coordination. - tourism and other projects of the Department Recognizing that increased linkages are that will boost tourism in the country. The fund shall be sourced from the fees and charges (f)Make recommendations to the Secretary on which will be collected by the Department. A all matters relating to tourism in the region. special account shall be established for this fund in the National Treasury. Disbursements Section 18. Foreign Offices. - The creation, made from the fund shall be subject to the operation and supervision of foreign field usual accounting and budgeting rules and offices of the Department shall be retained regulations. therein. Section 17. Regional Offices. - The Section 19. Office of Special Concerns. - The Department shall establish, operate and Office of Special Concerns shall be maintain a regional office in each responsible in effectively coordinating and administrative region in the country. A regional monitoring the various directives, office, headed by a regional director, shall pronouncements and issuances of the have the following functions: President pertaining to the priorities of the government and the Department. (a) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, rules and regulations of the Department, Section 20. Financial and Management particularly those relating to compliance Service. - The Financial and Management therewith, and to the accreditation of tourism Service shall provide the Department with enterprises promulgated by the Department; staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial and management matters and shall (b) Coordinate with regional offices of other perform such other related functions as may departments, bureaus and agencies, LGUs, be assigned or delegated to it by the NGOs and the regional offices of the Secretary. Department's attached agencies in the implementation of such laws, policies, plans, Section 21. Administrative Affairs Service. - programs and rules and regulations; The Administrative Affairs Service shall provide the Department with staff advice and (c) Undertake research and data gathering on assistance on personnel information, records, local tourism trends and other relevant tourism communications, supplies, equipment, information; collection, disbursements, security, other custodial work and such other related duties (d) Together with LGUs, establish such tourist and responsibilities as may be assigned or information and assistance centers at delegated to it by the Secretary. strategic locations as are necessary to disseminate relevant information pertaining to Section 22. Legal Affairs Service. - The Legal the tourist locations and products and to assist Affairs Service shall provide the Department tourists and tourism enterprises; with staff advice and assistance on all legal matters affecting the Department and perform (e) Conduct trainings and information such other related functions as may be campaigns, and assist the TPB in domestic assigned or delegated to it by the Secretary. promotions in the pertinent region on subject matters such as this Act, the functions of the Section 23. Internal Audit Service. - The Department, tourism traffic and new tourism Internal Audit Service shall be responsible for sites, among others; and instituting and conducting an audit program for the Department to ensure compliance with17 existing rules and regulations for an efficient and effective fiscal administration and Section 27. Optional Retirement and performance of department affairs. Compensation. - There shall be no mandatory separation of any employee as a result of the Section 24. Legislative Liaison Unit. - The reorganization of the Department and its Legislative Liaison Unit shall establish and attached agencies and corporations. However, maintain regular coordination and liaison with if any employee elects to leave the service or Congress, monitor the passage of legislative retire, said employee shall be entitled to claim measures that are in the Department’s separation or retirement benefits as may be agenda, provide relevant information and provided18 under existing laws governing the technical support to Members of Congress, civil service or other laws and issuances, and perform such other related functions as whichever may be beneficial to the employee may be assigned or delegated by the concerned. Secretary. SUBCHAPTER 11 - C. ATTACHED SUBCHAPTER 11 - B. RATIONALIZATION AGENCIES AND CORPORATIONS OF FUNCTIONS Section 28. Attached Agencies and Section 25. Reorganization of Offices. - The Corporations. - The TPB, the TIEZA and the Philippine Tourism Authority is hereby DFPC shall be attached to the Department reorganized as the Tourism Infrastructure and shall be under the supervision of the and Enterprise Zone Authority, as Secretary for program and policy coordination. hereinafter provided. The Philippine Furthermore, the following agencies and Conventions and Visitors Corporation is corporations shall be attached to the hereby reorganized as the Tourism Department under the supervision of the Promotions Board, as hereinafter provided. Secretary for program and policy coordination: The Bureaus for Domestic and the IA; the National Parks Development International Tourism Promotions, and the Committee (NPDC), created under Executive Office of Tourism Information of the Order No. 30 (1963); the Nayong Pilipino Department are hereby absorbed into the Foundation (NPF), created under Presidential Tourism Promotions Board. Decree No. 37 (1972), as amended; the PRA; and the Philippine Commission on Sports Section 26. Human Resources. - Where Scuba Diving (PCSSD). Except as hereinafter certain functions are declared redundant on provided, each of the attached agencies and account of the reorganization, the corporations shall continue to operate under Department, the TIEZA Board and the their respective charters. Tourism Board shall provide for the reassignment, insofar as practicable, of Section 29. Intramuros Administration, affected employees to similar positions within National Parks Development Committee and the Department and its attached agencies, Nayong Pilipino Foundation. - The Intramuros taking into consideration their skills and Administration, the National Parks experience, without loss of seniority or other Development Committee and the Nayong rights and privileges. In any case, all relevant Pilipino Foundation shall continue to be laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and attached to the Department and operate under regulations concerning the rights of their respective charters. They may be government employees in the reorganization authorized to operate TEZs, under the of an office shall be respected. supervision of the TIEZA, as provided under Chapters IV and V of this Act, within their respective jurisdictions: Provided, That any zones, areas or spots not organized into restoration activity undertaken by the IA, the TEZs, the Department, through appropriate NPDC or the NPF may be entitled to a tax arrangements, may transfer control over the deduction equivalent to the full cost of the same or portions thereof, to another agency or restoration activity directly incurred in office of the government, or to a LGU. This accordance with the provisions of the National shall only be effected upon the submission by Internal Revenue Code, as amended. the latter, within a reasonable time, of comprehensive development plans for the Section 30. Philippine Retirement Authority. - use, preservation and promotion of these For purposes of policy and program zones, areas or spots and upon the approval coordination, the Philippine Retirement thereof by the Department. Such transfer shall Authority is hereby attached to the not have the effect of diminishing the Department and placed under the supervision jurisdiction of the Department over these of the Secretary. The Secretary shall be the ex zones, areas or spots. officio Chairperson of its Board of Trustees: Provided, That this provision shall apply after The Department shall exercise supervisory the expiration of the term of office of the powers over such agency, office or LGU in incumbent Chairperson. accordance with the terms of the transfer or the development plan of the zone, area or Section 31. Philippine Commission on Sports spot. Where a government agency or office or Scuba Diving. - The Philippine Commission on a LGU fails to implement the comprehensive Sports Scuba Diving shall likewise be plan approved by the Department, the attached to the Department and placed under Department may rescind the arrangement the supervision of the Secretary, who shall be transferring control over the tourism zone, the ex officio Chairperson of its Board of area or spot and regain such control thereof. Trustees. It shall undertake measures to provide the standard basic dive rules to all Section 33. National Integrated Protected levels or kinds of divers, regulate scuba sports Areas System (NIPAS) and the National and technical diving in the country and ensure Ecotourism Policy. - The Department, in the safety of the sport through the formulation coordination with the Department of of policies pursuant thereto, in coordination Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with the Office of Tourism Standards and shall identify areas covered by the NIPAS with Regulations, including the regulation of the ecotourism potentials and cultural heritage accredited scuba sports and technical diving value, and prepare policies, plans and establishments. programs for their development, preservation, operation or conversion into TEZs. The SUBCHAPTER 11 - D. CONTROL AND designation of these areas as TEZs shall be SUPERVISION OF AREAS WITH subject to the provisions of Subchapter IV - A OVERLAPPING JURISDICTIONS of this Act. Section 32. Rationalization of Tourism Areas, The ecotourism sites in the National Zones and Spots. - Any other area specifically Ecotourism Strategy pursuant to Executive defined as a tourism area, zone or spot under Order No. 111 (1999) may also be developed any special or general law, decree or into TEZs with the National Ecotourism presidential issuance shall, as far as Steering Committee responsible for finding the practicable, be organized into a TEZ under the appropriate TEZ operator for the sites. provisions of this Act. With respect to tourism Section 34. Tourism Infrastructure Program. - The Department, in accordance with the National Tourism Development Plan and local government initiatives, shall coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in the establishment of a tourism infrastructure program in the respective work programs of said agencies, identifying therein vital access roads, airports, seaports and other infrastructure requirement in identified tourism areas. The said agencies and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall accord priority status to the funding of this tourism infrastructure program.