TACLOBAN CITY-Lawmakers have filed a bill to declare the multi-tiered Maharlika Falls in Taft, Eastern Samar, as an official ecotourism destination, highlighting its potential to draw visitors and create new livelihood opportunities for local communities.
House Bill No. 7692, known as the ‘Maharlika Falls Tourist Destination Act’, seeks to formally integrate the falls into the National Tourism Development Plan and mandate the Department of Tourism (DOT) to prepare a sustainable development program for the site. The measure emphasizes balancing tourism growth with the protection, preservation, and conservation of the waterfall’s natural surroundings.
Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan introduced the bill, pointing to the falls’ natural beauty, cascading tiers, and accessible trekking trails as key factors for its tourism appeal.
“There’s no question that Maharlika Falls is one of Eastern Samar’s hidden natural treasures,” Gonzales said. “With its pristine forest, breathtaking cascades, and relative accessibility, it can become a major ecotourism destination not only for Eastern Samar but for the entire Eastern Visayas region.”
The lawmaker emphasized that the initiative aims to promote tourism that benefits local communities. “Our goal is to develop Maharlika Falls in a way that protects its natural beauty while creating jobs and income opportunities for residents,” Gonzales added.
Located in Barangay San Rafael, Taft, Maharlika Falls sits within an untouched forest landscape and is accessible via a 30-minute trek from the nearest entry point. The waterfall is part of a mountainous watershed connected to the Taft-Tubig River system, which also supports local hydroelectric projects, and lies within the broader conservation network of the Samar Island Natural Park, one of the Philippines’ largest protected areas.
Tourism experts and environmental advocates say that designating Maharlika Falls as an official ecotourism site could boost sustainable tourism in the region, attract nature enthusiasts, and encourage the preservation of Eastern Samar’s unique ecosystems.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
