LAWMAKERS have filed a bill seeking to declare the scenic Maharlika Falls in Taft, Eastern Samar as an official ecotourism destination, citing the multi-tiered waterfall’s huge potential to attract visitors and create new livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Under House Bill No. 7692, Maharlika Falls—located in Barangay San Rafael in the Municipality of Taft—would be formally designated as a tourist destination and integrated into the National Tourism Development Plan.
The measure mandates the Department of Tourism (DOT) to prepare and implement a comprehensive development plan for the site, ensuring that tourism initiatives are carried out alongside the protection, preservation, and conservation of its natural environment.
Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan introduced the proposed Maharlika Falls Tourist Destination Act.
“There’s no question that Maharlika Falls is one of Eastern Samar’s hidden natural treasures,” Gonzales, a member of the House committee on tourism, said in a statement.
“With its breathtaking cascades, pristine forest surroundings, and relative accessibility, the site has strong potential to become a major ecotourism draw not only for Eastern Samar but for the entire Eastern Visayas region,” Gonzales added.
He said the proposed designation would help ensure that tourism development around the falls remains sustainable and beneficial to local communities.
“Our goal is to promote Maharlika Falls in a way that protects its natural beauty while creating new employment and income opportunities for local residents,” Gonzales said.
Situated within a largely preserved and untouched forest landscape, Maharlika Falls is among the natural attractions of Eastern Samar.
The waterfall features multiple cascading tiers, where water flows down successive rock formations, creating a striking natural spectacle.
Visitors typically trek through forest trails for about 30 minutes from the nearest access point to reach the falls.The site lies within a mountainous watershed near the Taft-Tubig River system, which has also been tapped for hydroelectric power projects in the area.Maharlika Falls is part of a broader conservation landscape connected to the Samar Island Natural Park, one of the Philippines’ largest protected areas.
