MANILA, Philippiens -- The House of Representatives has approved on final reading two bills declaring some parcels of land on islands, particularly Boracay, as agricultural land open for eco-tourism development.

Lawmakers on Tuesday night voted to approve on third and final reading House Bill No. 453 which provides that land belonging to the public domain on small islands with a size of 50,000 hectares or less but with great potential for tourism may be converted for eco-tourism ventures such as resorts, eco-parks and hotels.

The disposition of the agricultural lands will be governed by the Public Land Act.

The lawmakers also approved on final reading a related measure, House Bill No. 1109, declaring land on Boracay island as agricultural land open to disposition for agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial purposes.

Boracy island off Malay town, Aklan, famed for white sand, is a popular tourist resort in the country.

The two were among a raft of bills that the lawmakers approved on final reading Tuesday night.

In mid-April, Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman imposed a moratorium on the conversion of agricultural lands for real estate development in the face of a rice shortage.

The moratorium was intended to pave the way for the review and study of conversion guidelines to address the ?unabated conversion of prime agricultural lands for real estate development.''

Experts have blamed the dwindling rice lands, caused by the conversion of these lands into subdivisions and golf courses, for the shortage of rice in the market.