EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
1712
20 Jill 22 P2:39
RE..-:-
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE HINAKPAN MYSTICAL HILLS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
NEGROS ORIENTAL AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
7586, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM ACT 
OF 2018, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is a declared state policy that the 
State '^shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful 
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature." In line with 
safeguarding a healthful ecology, the Constitution likewise provides that Congress 
shall determine the national parks, which shall be conserved and may not be 
increased nor diminished, except by law.2
Pursuant to the said constitutional provisions, the National Integrated 
Protected Areas System (NIPAS) was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 
7586, as amended by RA No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded NIPAS Act
1 Article II, Section 16,1987 Philippine Constitution
2 Article XII, Sec. 3, 1987 Philippine Constitution


of 2018". Cognizant of the exacting impact of diverse human activities on aii 
components of the natural environment, the NIPAS Act declared it the policy of the 
State "to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations the 
perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a 
comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of 
national park as provided for in the Constitution." The system shall encompass 
ecologically rich, unique and biologically important areas that are habitats of 
threatened species of plants and animals, biogeographic zones and related 
ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine, all of which shall be designated 
as 'protected areas'.3
Presently, there are already 107 protected areas in the Philippines that have 
been so declared through legislation. And yet, based on the records and various 
suitability assessments by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), there are still numerous 
sites in the country that have to be given 'protected area' status, by legislative 
action, in order to ensure its conservation. One of these sites is the Hinakpan 
Mystical Hills found in the City of Guihuingan in the Province of Negros Oriental.
This bill seeks to establish the Hinakpan Mystical Hills as a natural monument 
and within the purview of protected areas under the NIPAS Act.
The Hinakpan Mystical Hills is a group of around 237 conical limestone peaks, 
in unique shapes and sizes, found in the highland of Guihuingan City. The hills are 
scattered in the village of Hinakpan, which is situated midway between the city 
proper of Guihuingan and the Municipality of Isabela, Negros Occidental. The 
Hinakpan Mystical Hills encompass a total area of 1,331.24 hectares. The name 
Hinakpan was derived after the "takpan" trees, which are abundant in the area.4 
The Hinakpan Mystical Hills, closely resembling the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, present 
a stunning view to behold.
3 Section 2, RA No. 7586, as amended by RA11038
4 https://dumaguete.com/tourist-spots-in-guihulngan/
2


Apart from its picturesque setting, the Hinakpan Mysticai Hiils carry unique 
biophysicai attributes. It is home to various endemic flora species and wiidiife, 
which add to the necessity of protecting the area.
The biil deciaring the Hinakpan Mysticai Hiils as a protected area with the 
category of a Natural Monument under the NIPAS Act, as amended will ensure that 
there will be adequate conservation measures and appropriate management 
schemes to safeguard its biodiversity. The legislation aims to enforce the needed 
mechanism for the long-term protection of the hills. It shall also prevent 
environmental degradation, which threatens the survival of the plant and animal 
species of the Hills and the ecotourism opportunities that may benefit the 
surrounding communities.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee of Environment, Natural 
Resources and Climate Change, I am pleased to file this bill, which Is the Senate 
counterpart measure of House Bill No. 1775 authored by Hon. Jocelyn Sy 
Limkaichong, the Representative of the 1st District of Negros Oriental.
In view of the foregoing, I recommend the approval of this measure.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
' K-"-t ' 
1,r ,1''; 
"
20 JJL22 P2 39
Re­
introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE HINAKPAN MYSTICAL HILLS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
NEGROS ORIENTAL AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
7586, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM ACT 
OF 2018, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Hinakpan Mystical
2 
Hills Natural Monument Act of 2020 'C
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Hinakpan Mystical Hills Natural Monument
4 
is hereby declared to be included in the list of established protected areas under
5 
Section 5 (a.l) of Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038,
6 
categorized under ENIPAS as natural monument, defined under Section 4 (x) of the
7 
same law, as "a relatively small area focused on the protection of small features to
8 
protect or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special
9 
interest or unique characteristics."
1


1 
Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. - The boundaries of the Hinakpan Mystical Hill
2 
Natural Monument, which falls under the category of natural monument in the City
3 
of Guihuingan in the Province of Negros Oriental, are as follows:
4 
Beginning at a point marked ”1" which Is N 83°48'26" E, 7,226.09 meters
5 
from BLLM 1, PLS-266 with geographic coordinates of 10°9,42.338" North and
6 
123°11,9.32" East,
7
thence
N 85° 9' 43" W
1717.00
meters to corner
2;
8
thence
N 74° 40' 7" W
1836.60
meters to corner
3;
9
thence
N 24° 0' 30" W
538.65
meters to corner
4;
10
thence
N 130 O' 11" E
598.11
meters to corner
5;
11
thence
N 550 48' 21" E
560.59
meters to corner
6;
12
thence
N 140 41' 58" W
982.60
meters to corner
7;
13
thence
N 530 17' 19" E
780.51
meters to corner
8;
14
thence
N 340 56' 16" E
795.04
meters to corner
9;
15
thence
S 87° 22' 45" E
1018.02
meters to corner
10;
16
thence
S 540 43' 52" E
823.25
meters to corner
11;
17
thence
S 320 10' 32" E
3460.99
meters to corner
12;
18
thence
S630 10' 12" W
1412.89
meters to corner
1;
19 
the point of beginning containing a total area of one thousand three hundred thirty-
20 
one and 24/100 (1,331.24) hectares, more or less, subject to ground survey and
21 
verification to be conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural
22 
Resources, through the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
23 
(NAMRIA), within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act.
24 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall
25 
appropriately mark on the ground the technical descriptions provided in this Act with
26 
clearly visible markers and shall prepare appropriate maps therefor. Any modification
27 
of the coverage of this Act due to such factors as changing ecological situations, new
28 
scientific or archeological findings, or discovery of traditional boundaries not


1 
previously taken into account shall be made through an act of Congress, after
2 
consultation with the affected public and concerned government agencies.
3 
Sec. 4. Buffer Zone. - Buffer zone surrounding the Hinakpan Mystical Hill
4 
Natural Monument is hereby established with the foilowing boundaries:
5 
Beginning at a point marked '1" on plan which is N 83°48,26" E, 7,226.09
6 
meters from BLLM 1, PLS-266 with geographic coordinates of 10°9'42.338" North
7
and 123°11,9.32" East,
8
thence
SlOo 31' 43" E
41.65
meters to corner 2;
9
thence
N 85° 9' 25" W
1731.52
meters to corner 3;
10
thence
N 740 40' 12" W
1859.32
meters to corner 4;
11
thence
N 24° 00' 24" W
570.77
meters to corner 5;
12
thence
N 120 58' 28" E
627.07
meters to corner 6;
13
thence
N 550 47' 36" E
548.28
meters to corner 7;
14
thence
N 140 41' 45" W
981.36
meters to corner 8;
15
thence
N 530 17' 29" E
800.95
meters to corner 9;
16
thence
N 340 56' 31" E
810.63
meters to corner 10;
17
thence
S 870 23' 30" E
1052.28
meters to corner 11;
18
thence
S 540 42' 36" E
843.01
meters to corner 12;
19
thence
S 320 10' 37" E
3512.59
meters to corner 13;
20
thence
S 630 10' 16" W
1468.91
meters to corner 14;
21
thence
N 100 31' 43" W
41.65
meters to corner 15;
22
thence
S 630 10' 12" W
1412.89
meters to corner 16;
23
thence
S 320 10' 32" E
3460.99
meters to corner 17;
24
thence
S 540 43' 52" E
823.25
meters to corner 18;
25
thence
S 870 22' 45" E
1018.02
meters to corner 19;
26
thence
N 340 56' 16" E
795.04
meters to corner 20;
27
thence
N 530 17' 19" E
780.51
meters to corner 21;
28
thence
N 140 41' 58" W
982.60
meters to corner 22;
29
thence
N 550 48' 21" E
560.59
meters to corner 23;
30
thence
N 130 00' 11" E
598.11
meters to corner 24;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
thence 
N240 00,30"W
thence 
N 74° 40' 07" W
thence 
N850 9,43"W
538.65 meters to corner 25; 
1836.60 meters to corner 26; 
1717.00 meters to corner 1;
the point of beginning containing a total area of fifty-eight and 83/100 (58.83) 
hectares, more or less.
Sec. 5. Management and Institutional Mechanisms. - The Hinakpan Mystical 
Hills as a protected area shall be managed in accordance with Repubiic Act No. 
7586, as amended by Repubiic Act No. 11038, under the supervision of the 
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). A Protected Area Management Office 
(PAMO) shall be established and headed by the Protected Area Superintendent 
(PASu) in conformity with Section 11 of the same law, as amended.
12 
Sec. 6. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations. - The DENR, in consultation
13 
with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the
14 
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
15 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include
16 
in the Department's Program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
17 
shall be Included in the annuai General Appropriations Act.
18 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
19 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
20 
continue to be in full force and effect.
21 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
22 
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are
23 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
24 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
25 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general
26 
circulation.
Approved,