Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:

(a)Biodiversity conservationrefers to the practice of preserving the variety of species, habitats and ecosystems, and genetic diversity of the place, includinginter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes which they are a part of;

(b)Community-based tourismrefers to a form of tourism where the local community and its residents have substantial control over and involvement in the development and management of the local tourism industry and a greater proportion of the economic gains remain within the community;

(c)Cultural propertyrefers to all products of human creativity by which a people and a nation reveal their identity, including churches, mosques and other places of religious worship, schools and natural history specimens and sites, whether public or privately owned, movable or immovable, and tangible or intangible;

(d)Ecotourismrefers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection, and management of natural resources, cultural and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors;

(e)Homestayrefers to a system of tourist accommodation where a tourist stays with local residents and experience the day-to-day life of Ivatans and their communities;

(f)Indigenous social institutionsrefer to the institutions that embody the unique community orientation and cooperation pervasive in the way of life of the Ivatans. This includes the indigenous cooperative institutions in house construction, boat building and fishing, agricultural cultivation, wake and burial practices, and public infrastructure construction;

(g)Ivatan natural and cultural heritagerefers to the landscapes, seascapes, historic places, sites and built environments of the Province precisely delineated because of their outstanding value from the point of view of science, conservation, natural beauty, as well as biodiversity; and includes past and continuing cultural practices, knowledge and living experiences of the Ivatans that are important foundations for the development of present and future generations;

(h)Landscapesrefer to historic, cultural, symbolic vistas and sight corridors of cultural sites, inclusive of fixed or immovable structures and configuration of structures with established relationship with each other;

(i)Responsible ecotourismrefers to a form of sustainable tourism in which both the tourism sector and the tourists take responsibility in the protection, respect, and conservation of the natural environment and the local culture and ways of life, and where community participation as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the well-being of the local people and satisfaction of visitors; and

(j)Sustainable tourism developmentrefers to the management of all resources in a way that simultaneously meets the needs of tourists and host regions; protects the opportunities for the future; fulfills the economic, social, and aesthetic needs; and preserves cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and a system that supports and perpetuates life.