Book 4, Title 0, Sec. 16The Office of Tourism Development Planning shall have the following functions:

Office of Tourism Development Planning. - The Office of Tourism Development Planning shall have the following functions:

(1) Formulate plans and policies for the development of the tourism industry, including but not limited to national tourism plans and the identification of master physical plans for tourism zones within the country;

(2) Monitor and evaluate plans, programs and projects of the Department to ensure their effective implementation;

(3) Undertake research studies and surveys for the continuing analysis of the tourism industry;

(4) Compile and integrate statistical data on the tourism industry and publish the same;

(5) Coordinate and assist in the implementation of tourism-oriented projects, plans or operations of local governments, governmental agencies, public corporations, and where clearly necessary and feasible, those of private entities so as to make possible the accelerated and balanced growth and development of tourism in the Philippines which is responsible to the needs of targetted travel markets, domestic and foreign, and beneficial to a greater number of Filipino communities;

(6) Analyze specific geographical areas with potential tourism value leading to the preparation of a national tourism development plan which will establish the order of priority for the development plan of tourist zone;

(7) Formulate a government plan for each zone in coordination with other government agencies and local government units exercising political jurisdiction over the area, provided, that the plan of the zone to be developed shall cover specifically those aspects pertaining to tourisms; provided further, that the tourism development plan is fully coordinated and integrated with other sectoral plans for the area; and

(8) Coordinate with appropriate local government units and other government agencies to assist in formulating and implementing zone regulations, including building codes, hotel standards and such other restrictions as may be necessary within a tourist zone to control its orderly development; preserve such historical, cultural or natural assets or relics giving the zone its tourism value and significance; and assure adherence to approved zone development plans;

(9) Ensure through proper coordination with appropriate government agencies and local private agencies the social growth of the community within a tourist zone; carefully control possible negative social impact brought about by tourism development.