Section 2Sec./Art. 2

Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes, respects, and protects the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions, and considers these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.

The State is further mandated to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for local communities. Towards this end, the Province of Batanes is hereby declared a cultural heritage and ecotourism zone. It shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of cultural heritage and ecotourism zones.

The promotion of the following inherent values and characteristics which influence the uniqueness of the Ivatan culture and the beauty of the islands of Batanes shall be pursued in the development and management of the tourism industry in the Province: (a) the integrity of its ecology and environment; (b) the richness of its natural and cultural heritage; and (c) the resilience of its indigenous social institutions.