101 OG No. 3, 416 (Jan. 17, 2005)
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is
hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure the sustainable
development of Boracay Island as a priority tourism destination. To
this end the government shall plan, undertake, and cause the
implementation of support projects and programs to preserve the
attractiveness of Boracay and adjoining islands or areas as a tourism
destination.
SECTION 2. Creation of a Special Tourism Zone. - Boracay Island is hereby proclaimed as a Special Tourism Zone.
SECTION 3. Empowering Eminent Persons to Oversee Boracay Tourism Development.
- To ensure the effective implementation of the above-stated policy,
there is hereby recognized the existence of a group of eminent persons
concerned with the sustainable development of Boracay Tourism. From
such a group, The President of the Philippines shall designate a Boracay
Eminent Persons Group empowered to oversee the sustainable development
of Boracay tourism in behalf of the President of the Philippines and the
Secretary of Tourism.
SECTION 4. Territorial Scope. - The
territorial scope of Boracay tourism shall cover the island of Boracay
consisting of three (3) barangays of Yapak, Balabag, Manok-Manok, all
the islets around it and Barangay Caticlan in the Municipality of Malay
in Mainland Panay Island.
SECTION 5. Principal Area of Activity. - The principal area of activity of the Eminent Persons Group shall be in Boracay Island.
SECTION 6. Powers. - The Eminent Persons Group shall have the following powers:
a. Formulate plans for the sustainable development of tourism in Boracay;
b.
Recommend to the Philippine Tourism Authority such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the
requirement of the Island's sustainable development;
c. Advocate
to the people of Boracay, to their elected official in the barangay,
municipal and provincial levels and to the national government, the
policies that will foster the sustainable development of Boracay;
d. Prioritize the major projects of Boracay as consistent with the plans for sustainable development;
e. Coordinate enterprises within Boracay which may be necessary to the sustainable development of Boracay;
f. Cause the proper land use projects and practices for Boracay and its marginal islands;
g. Ensure the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the island.
SECTION 7. Private Sector Nature.
- So long as the Eminent Persons do not require government funding for
their activities, they shall not lose their private sector character.
If they so request and receive government funding for their activities,
they shall acquire the nature of government officials.
SECTION 8. Group Secretary.
- The Eminent Persons Group shall be serviced by a Group Secretary who
shall be a government official appointed by the President of the
Philippines.
SECTION 9. Appropriations. - The amount as
necessary for the compensation and operating expenses of the Group
Secretary shall be appropriated out of the funds of the Philippine
Tourism Authority.
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - Any
portion of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional
shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions
hereof, as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still
subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause
- All order, rules and regulations and issuances, or parts thereof,
which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby revoked,
amended or modified accordingly.
SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Adopted: 22 Oct. 2004.
(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary