NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
'JDi’itf of! .r 1
24 FEB 14 P5S8
RK£;.lD3'
SENATE
S. No. 2553
Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE PANAON ISLAND AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS, 
SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, AS PROTECTED 
SEASCAPE, PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM 
(ENIPAS) ACT OF 2018
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is a declared 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."1 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 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 of 2018". 
Cognizant of the exacting impact of diverse human activities on all 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
1 Article II, Section 16, 1987 Philippine Constitution
2 Article XII, Sec. 3, 1987 Philippine Constitution


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
To date, as of January 2024, there are already 114 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 Panaon 
Island Seascape.
The Panaon Island Seascape, which is one of the sites protected through 
legislation, covers an area of 62,478.50 hectares. Panaon Island is known to have 
good to excellent coral reefs, with 41% of the coral reefs surveyed (11 of 27) 
estimated to have greater than 50% hard coral cover - a rarity in the country 
nowadays, need for protection and conservation. Despite the presence of extensive 
coral reefs and vibrant fish communities, the abundance and biomass of commercially 
important species show signs of overfishing. Further, evidence of potential causes of 
large-scale habitat deterioration that can dramatically change the island's coral reef 
condition were observed, such as crown-of-thorns starfish, trash, and illegal fishing 
activities.
This bill seeks to declare the Panaon Island as a Protected Seascape to regulate 
utilization of marine resources and ensure the conservation and continuity of critical, 
endangered, threatened coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangrove forests as well as the 
endemic and threatened species therein. It seeks the conservation, protection, and 
preservation of a protected seascape by mandating the formulation of a management
1 Section 2, RA No. 7586, as amended by RA 11038


plan that shall promote the adoption and implementation of innovative, sustainable 
management techniques such as biodiversity management, community organizing and 
development, socio-economic and scientific research, site-specific policy development, 
climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, 
solid waste management, and gender and development, among others.
In view of all the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
2553
' 
of ti.f •’r C! :
24 FEB 14 P5 58 
\
RtCE.;iD3'
Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE PANAON ISLAND AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS, 
SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, AS PROTECTED 
SEASCAPE, PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM 
(ENIPAS) ACT OF 2018
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Panaon Island Protected
2 
Seascape (PIPS) Act of 2024".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Cognizant of the profound impact of human
4 
activity on all components of the natural environment, it is hereby declared the policy
5 
of the State to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations, the
6 
perpetual existence of all ecologically important flora and fauna through the
7 
declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System
8 
(NIPAS) within the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution.
9 
In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and fauna,
10 
that are native and distinct to the surrounding waters of the Panaon Island in the
11 
Municipalities of Liloan, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and San Ricardo, in the Province of
12 
Southern Leyte as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance, the area is hereby


1 
declared a protected area under the category of protected seascape and shall
2 
hereinafter be referred to as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS). As Such,
3 
the State shall ensure the conservation, protection, management, and rehabilitation
4 
of the area. It is likewise recognized that effective administration of this area is
5 
possible only through cooperation among the national government, local government
6 
units (LGUs), concerned non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private entities, and
7 
local communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the
8 
principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.
9 
Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act,
10 
the mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and
11 
the full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and
12 
the integrity of the ecosystems, and cultural and indigenous practices.
13 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms and
14 
phrases shall mean, as follows:
15 
a) "Buffer Zone" refers to the identified area outside the boundaries of and
16 
immediately adjacent to PIPS that needs special development control in order to avoid
17 
or minimize harm to the protected area.
18
19
b) "Conservation Fees" refer to fees collected from authorized users of the PIPS.
c) "LGUs" refers to the local government units in PIPS.
20 
d) "ManagementPlan"refers to the fundamental management goals, strategies
21 
and activities which shall guide all activities relating to the PIPS in order to attain the
22 
objectives of this Act.
23 
e) "Multiple Use Zone" refers to the area where settlement, traditional and
24 
sustainable land use including agriculture, agroforestry, extraction activities, and
25 
income generating or livelihood activities, and may be allowed to the extent prescribed
26 
in the PIPS management plan.
27 
f) "PAMO"refers to the Protected Area Management Office of the PIPS.


1 
g) "PASu" refers to the Protected Area Superintendent of the PIPS.
2 
h) "PIPS" refers to Panaon Island Protected Seascape.
3 
i) "Protected Area" refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by
4 
reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance
5 
biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.
6 
j) "Strict Protection Zone"rotors to the area declared in accordance to the PIPS
7 
management plan which possess some outstanding ecosystem, features, and species
8 
of flora and fauna of national scientific importance that should be maintained to
9 
protect and to preserve nature in its undisturbed state and to preserve ecologically
10 
representative examples of the natural environment to ensure their availability for
11 
scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of
12 
genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state.
13 
Sec. 4. Classification as a National Park. — The PIPS is comprised of the waters
14 
surrounding the Panaon Island situated in the Municipalities of Liloan, Pintuyan, San
15 
Francisco, and San Ricardo, in the province of Southern Leyte, the metes and bound
16 
of which are described in Section 6 of this Act. All Lands of the public domain within
17 
the coverage and scope of the PIPS shall fall under the classification of national park
18 
as provided for in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.
19 
Sec. 5. Estabiishment of the Panaon Isiand Protected Seascape (PIPS). —
20 
Pursuant to the above policy, the ENIPAS Act and as provided herein, Panaon Island
21 
and its surrounding areas with boundaries as described hereunder, is hereby declared
22 
and established as a protected area under the category of protected seascape to be
23 
known as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS).
24 
Sec. 6. Scope and Coverage. —The PIPS shall cover the Municipalities of Liloan,
25 
San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo, Province of Southern Leyte.
26 
Beginning at a point marked "1" on the Map being N81o04'54"E, 1607.313
27 
meters from PRS'92 Control Monument "LYS-7" with geographic coordinates of


1 
10°9,35.928606" Latitude and 12506'59.18374" Longitude, located at Barangay
2 
Poblacion, Municipality of Liloan, Province of Southern Leyte:
3
thence
N 75027'39" E
11,519.89
meters to corner
2;
4
thence
S 54°30,49" E
5,285.30
meters to corner
3;
5
thence
S 23°19,52" E
13,151.13
meters to corner
4;
6
thence
S 39015,45" E
3,416.97
meters to corner
5;
7
thence
S 09°0r28" E
4,793.82
meters to corner
6;
8
thence
S 20o31,43" E
6,212.19
meters to corner
7;
9
thence
S 11°47,33" W
4,204.39
meters to corner
8;
10
thence
S 39°40,22" W
4,846.69
meters to corner
9;
11
thence
S 67o58l50" W
5,033.48
meters to corner
10;
12
thence
o
6o
o00
00
-Z.
W
4,388.71
meters to corner
11;
13
thence
N 61013'23" W
5,156.94
meters to corner
12;
14
thence
N 31°20,22" W
16,297.69
meters to corner
13;
15
thence
N 54o13'03" W
5,790.66
meters to corner
14;
16
thence
N 12°03,35" W
14,294.01
meters to corner
15;
17
thence
N 56°37,45" E
6,953.40
meters to corner
16;
18
thence
S 36023'44" E
93.247
meters to corner
17;
19
thence
S 75°58,33" E
83.933
meters to corner
18;
20
thence
N 44°08,04" E
50.688
meters to corner
19;
21
thence
S 73°29,40" E
209.701
meters to corner
20;
22
thence
S 35o17'00" E
239.632
meters to corner
21;
23
thence
S 01°59,03" E
336.237
meters to corner
22;
24
thence
S 60°06,18" E
83.134
meters to corner
23;


1
thence
N 61o51'40" E
138.894
meters to corner
24;
2
thence
N 54°26,35" E
208.984
meters to corner
25;
3
thence
N 67°03,52" E
91.532
meters to corner
26;
4
thence
S 42o41,20" E
113.76
meters to corner
27;
5
thence
S 13°48,12" E
78.637
meters to corner
28;
6
thence
S 27°26,28" W
100.006
meters to corner
29;
7
thence
S 42o07'50" W
136.37
meters to corner
30;
8
thence
S 10o23,16" W
131.635
meters to corner
31;
9
thence
S 56°56,33" W
128.077
meters to corner
32;
10
thence
S 50°35,15" W
151.53
meters to corner
33;
11
thence
S 17012'24" W
201.027
meters to corner
34;
12
thence
S 19°19,13" E
109.284
meters to corner
35;
13
thence
S 37o20,41" E
88.159
meters to corner
36;
14
thence
S 63°27'44" E
132.779
meters to corner
37;
15
thence
S 74028'19" E
93.761
meters to corner
38;
16
thence
N 50o58'56" E
143.542
meters to corner
39;
17
thence
N 84°37,32" E
72.983
meters to corner
40;
18
thence
S 71°57,32" E
98.534
meters to corner
41;
19
thence
S 11058,54" E
118.217
meters to corner
42;
20
thence
N 53053'16" E
222.003
meters to corner
43;
21
thence
S 44°45,12" E
58.181
meters to corner
44;
22
thence
S 43028'23" W
100.953
meters to corner
45;
23
thence
S 01o36'34" W
90.91
meters to corner
46;


1
thence
S 20o36'35" E
74.619
meters to corner
47;
2
thence
N 51056'55" E
126.613
meters to corner
48;
3
thence
N 28°00,34" E
92.655
meters to corner
49;
4
thence
S 73°56'04" E
87.686
meters to corner
50;
5
thence
S 39°18'22" W
134.082
meters to corner
51;
6
thence
S 05°34l43" W
140.322
meters to corner
52;
7
thence
S 24°06,39" W
91.656
meters to corner
53;
8
thence
S 35°04,50" E
63.978
meters to corner
54;
9
thence
S 07°13,05" W
28.595
meters to corner
55;
10
thence
S 58°16,05" W
38.041
meters to corner
56;
11
thence
S 41°46'36" E
45.348
meters to corner
57;
12
thence
S 29°45,32" W
52.541
meters to corner
58;
13
thence
S 77°13,46" E
106.769
meters to corner
59;
14
thence
S 10°45,50" W
51.005
meters to corner
60;
15
thence
N 72°18,20" W
91.154
meters to corner
61;
16
thence
N 84°47,57" W
185.259
meters to corner
62;
17
thence
S 33°42,13" E
47.405
meters to corner
63;
18
thence
S 08o22'24" W
34.556
meters to corner
64;
19
thence
S 66047'55" W
51.738
meters to corner
65;
20
thence
S 15°15,39" E
30.155
meters to corner
66;
21
thence
S 72017'43" E
45.392
meters to corner
67;
22
thence
S 16°30,49" E
65.996
meters to corner
68;
23
thence
N 71056'52" E
305.696
meters to corner
69;


1
thence
S 64°15,23" E
46.121
meters to corner
70;
2
thence
S 05°59,17" W
93.48
meters to corner
71;
3
thence
S 67°44,42" W
155.142
meters to corner
72;
4
thence
S 31°17,41" W
238.303
meters to corner
73;
5
thence
N 87055'12" W
93.005
meters to corner
74;
6
thence
S 41018,24" W
205.007
meters to corner
75;
7
thence
S 32°31,50" E
146.851
meters to corner
76;
8
thence
S 55057'27" W
180.277
meters to corner
77;
9
thence
N 34°28,35" W
51.414
meters to corner
78;
10
thence
S 70°20,17" W
332.222
meters to corner
79;
11
thence
N 83°46,39" W
97.702
meters to corner
80;
12
thence
N 40o04'28" W
139.307
meters to corner
81;
13
thence
N 00o04,14" W
134.518
meters to corner
82;
14
thence
N 31°38,52" E
46.276
meters to corner
83;
15
thence
N 04°12,59" E
52.226
meters to corner
84;
16
thence
N 31°17,39" W
144.905
meters to corner
85;
17
thence
N 89°24,08" W
32.664
meters to corner
86;
18
thence
S 20o23,47" W
165.802
meters to corner
87;
19
thence
S 33°37,00" W
106.466
meters to corner
88;
20
thence
S 00o23'04" W
73.167
meters to corner
89;
21
thence
S 17°37,19" E
313.036
meters to corner
90;
22
thence
S 00o38'35" E
235.414
meters to corner
91;
23
thence
S 18°26,29" W
278.838
meters to corner
92;


1
thence
S 04o26,12" W
313.294
meters to corner
93;
2
thence
S 10°28,26" W
208.571
meters to corner
94;
3
thence
S 19°48,56" E
276.553
meters to corner
95;
4
thence
S 30o40'17" E
118.091
meters to corner
96;
5
thence
S 51°24'14" E
311.632
meters to corner
97;
6
thence
S 36011'59" E
244.952
meters to corner
98;
7
thence
S 33°28,23" W
257.057
meters to corner
99;
8
thence
S 41°14,08" W
189.112
meters to corner
100;
9
thence
S 18°47,09" w
328.009
meters to corner
101;
10
thence
S 03°22,32" w
206.729
meters to corner
102;
11
thence
S 11°00,45" E
188.557
meters to corner
103;
12
thence
S 13°49,13" W
220.008
meters to corner
104;
13
thence
S 04°27,19" W
90.33
meters to corner
105;
14
thence
S 14°52,41" E
187.953
meters to corner
106;
15
thence
S 00°15,10" W
242.492
meters to corner
107;
16
thence
S 28°17,02" w
172.667
meters to corner
108;
17
thence
S 07o34,55" E
119.24
meters to corner
109;
18
thence
S 05o04,21M W
258.718
meters to corner
110;
19
thence
S 16°52,30" W
117.177
meters to corner
111;
20
thence
S 00°17,24" W
424.937
meters to corner
112;
21
thence
S 22°38,18" E
241.703
meters to corner
113;
22
thence
S 04°23,33" E
531.764
meters to corner
114;
23
thence
S 12°26,33" E
140.506
meters to corner
115;


1
thence
S 27°36,06" E
315.624
meters to corner
116;
2
thence
S 22°59,24" W
100.255
meters to corner
117;
3
thence
S 10°15,17" E
176.418
meters to corner
118;
4
thence
S 41°47,51" E
235.725
meters to corner
119;
5
thence
S 28°35,15" E
328.741
meters to corner
120;
6
thence
S 15°53,03" W
102.65
meters to corner
121;
7
thence
S 60°27,56" E
286.363
meters to corner
122;
8
thence
S 20o18'00" E
97.066
meters to corner
123;
9
thence
S 00o04,56" E
172.293
meters to corner
124;
10
thence
S 09o00'29" W
136.272
meters to corner
125;
11
thence
S 22°15,16" W
317.498
meters to corner
126;
12
thence
S 33°13,22" E
253.412
meters to corner
127;
13
thence
S 03°0r20" E
222.628
meters to corner
128;
14
thence
S 4702r27" E
261.396
meters to corner
129;
15
thence
S 34042,16" E
959.447
meters to corner
130;
16
thence
S 22°19,58" E
408.252
meters to corner
131;
17
thence
S 64°19,55" E
96.149
meters to corner
132;
18
thence
S 34°24,01" E
184.176
meters to corner
133;
19
thence
S 16o57'05" E
112.918
meters to corner
134;
20
thence
S 06o06,50" E
100.878
meters to corner
135;
21
thence
S 79°4r48" E
55.963
meters to corner
136;
22
thence
S 17°54,43" E
125.614
meters to corner
137;
23
thence
S 04°51,43" W
166.344
meters to corner
138;


1
thence
S 14021,42" W
329.201
meters to corner
139;
2
thence
N 75°15,19" E
75.903
meters to corner
140;
3
thence
S 78°17,58" E
193.685
meters to corner
141;
4
thence
S 67°47,10" E
95.832
meters to corner
142;
5
thence
S 43053'13" E
147.093
meters to corner
143;
6
thence
S 89°06,26" E
102.459
meters to corner
144;
7
thence
S 42°52,12" E
224.511
meters to corner
145;
8
thence
S 84°49,20" E
285.727
meters to corner
146;
9
thence
N 82°55,22" E
520.681
meters to corner
147;
10
thence
S 62°02,15" E
83.134
meters to corner
148;
11
thence
N 01°00,06" E
81.988
meters to corner
149;
12
thence
S 84052'12" E
166.065
meters to corner
150;
13
thence
S 33°22,10" W
98.651
meters to corner
151;
14
thence
S 71035'59" E
122.002
meters to corner
152;
15
thence
S 67o18'03" E
130.047
meters to corner
153;
16
thence
S 59049,17" E
158.222
meters to corner
154;
17
thence
S 69o05'46" E
129.948
meters to corner
155;
18
thence
S 80°04,21" E
137.142
meters to corner
156;
19
thence
S 53°35,08" E
308.441
meters to corner
157;
20
thence
S 57°37,42" E
743.72
meters to corner
158;
21
thence
S 70°23,41" E
194.626
meters to corner
159;
22
thence
S 52°32,47" E
245.052
meters to corner
160;
23
thence
N 82021,21" E
64.037
meters to corner
161;
10


1
thence
S 83°49'55" E
243.074
meters to corner
162;
2
thence
S 63022'16" E
173.703
meters to corner
163;
3
thence
S 55°40,55" E
378.828
meters to corner
164;
4
thence
S 59058'57" E
542.443
meters to corner
165;
5
thence
S yPll'BO" E
172.103
meters to corner
166;
6
thence
S 43°29,04" E
985.858
meters to corner
167;
7
thence
S 29°55,43" E
824.084
meters to corner
168;
8
thence
S 08o27'17" E
246.033
meters to corner
169;
9
thence
S 02o10,13" W
321.587
meters to corner
170;
10
thence
S 06o24'10" E
323.18
meters to corner
171;
11
thence
S 43°04,01" E
147.819
meters to corner
172;
12
thence
S 23°50,47" E
214.207
meters to corner
173;
13
thence
S 44°46,34" E
608.863
meters to corner
174;
14
thence
S 47°25'23" E
603.611
meters to corner
175;
15
thence
S 00o19'37" E
374.954
meters to corner
176;
16
thence
S 35°24'03" E
568.354
meters to corner
177;
17
thence
S 03°09,23" E
304.86
meters to corner
178;
18
thence
S 26°22,57" E
887.131
meters to corner
179;
19
thence
S 01°15,49" W
130.614
meters to corner
180;
20
thence
S 19o09,31" E
426.929
meters to corner
181;
21
thence
S 10°17,52" E
253.279
meters to corner
182;
22
thence
S 26°23,59" E
244.574
meters to corner
183;
23
thence
S 35045'57" E
258.546
meters to corner
184;
11


1
thence
S 38039'38" E
1,025.00
meters to corner
185;
2
thence
S 48o08'50" E
597.224
meters to corner
186;
3
thence
S 06°32,04" W
382.774
meters to corner
187;
4
thence
S 49058'22" E
198.883
meters to corner
188;
5
thence
S 24021,54" E
215.65
meters to corner
189;
6
thence
S 08o45'44" E
186.572
meters to corner
190;
7
thence
S 11045'49" W
115.026
meters to corner
191;
8
thence
S 16°50'14" E
129.021
meters to corner
192;
9
thence
N 81028'42" E
109.822
meters to corner
193;
10
thence
N 43°40,21" E
209.219
meters to corner
194;
11
thence
S 58034,21M E
134.519
meters to corner
195;
12
thence
N 67°37,28" E
495.365
meters to corner
196;
13
thence
S 72°10,58" E
267.267
meters to corner
197;
14
thence
S 66047'23" E
582.103
meters to corner
198;
15
thence
S 39o38'03" E
754.224
meters to corner
199;
16
thence
S 20°09,44" E
265.787
meters to corner
200;
17
thence
S 30°05,03" E
223.661
meters to corner
201;
18
thence
S 37011,31" E
584.965
meters to corner
202;
19
thence
S 22051'25" E
247.941
meters to corner
203;
20
thence
S 14°38,17" W
173.667
meters to corner
204;
21
thence
S 02o08'02" W
137.381
meters to corner
205;
22
thence
S 17°15,40" W
166.811
meters to corner
206;
23
thence
S 00°44,04" E
666.684
meters to corner
207;
12


1
thence
S 25o08'04" E
378.913
meters to corner
208;
2
thence
S 11°45,53" E
178.694
meters to corner
209;
3
thence
S 00o23'37" E
214.439
meters to corner
210;
4
thence
S 23034,11" E
416.645
meters to corner
211;
5
thence
S 20°19,21" E
673.47
meters to corner
212;
6
thence
S 20°02,20" E
317.529
meters to corner
213;
7
thence
S 10°04,38" E
262.395
meters to corner
214;
8
thence
S 33°17,55" E
223.993
meters to corner
215;
9
thence
S 53o23,10" E
409.296
meters to corner
216;
10
thence
S 59°52,39" E
351.536
meters to corner
217;
11
thence
S 70°18,27" E
287.18
meters to corner
218;
12
thence
S 83°34,12" E
152.291
meters to corner
219;
13
thence
N 75°57,04" E
875.246
meters to corner
220;
14
thence
S 88052'18" E
297.941
meters to corner
221;
15
thence
S 75o06,34" E
299.944
meters to corner
222;
16
thence
S 87°09,15" E
349.428
meters to corner
223;
17
thence
N 79°37,16" E
234.439
meters to corner
224;
18
thence
N 71°30,50" E
322.534
meters to corner
225;
19
thence
N 60o03'13" E
154.005
meters to corner
226;
20
thence
N 60o03'12" E
204.739
meters to corner
227;
21
thence
N 40°24'27" E
391.655
meters to corner
228;
22
thence
N 27°57,21" E
116.031
meters to corner
229;
23
thence
N 12059'16" E
158.341
meters to corner
230;
13


1
thence
S 73055,31" E
39.56
meters to corner
231;
2
thence
N 16°13,33" E
45.78
meters to corner
232;
3
thence
S 74°55,16" E
24.323
meters to corner
233;
4
thence
N 15°50,06" E
56.604
meters to corner
234;
5
thence
N 74046,31" W
50.67
meters to corner
235;
6
thence
N 30°41,15" E
188.786
meters to corner
236;
7
thence
N 42o06'51" E
450.545
meters to corner
237;
8
thence
N 52°08,45" E
358.462
meters to corner
238;
9
thence
N 25°39,48" W
167.571
meters to corner
239;
10
thence
N 03o14,20" W
587.35
meters to corner
240;
11
thence
N 18°20,15" W
281.887
meters to corner
241;
12
thence
N 25°42,45" W
478.349
meters to corner
242;
13
thence
N 44°33,32" W
112.215
meters to corner
243;
14
thence
N 78°21,18" W
122.268
meters to corner
244;
15
thence
N 15015'35" W
327.82
meters to corner
245;
16
thence
N 36024'58" W
334.364
meters to corner
246;
17
thence
N 25°23,39" W
282.891
meters to corner
247;
18
thence
N 37°57,56" W
192.559
meters to corner
248;
19
thence
N 49°08,03" W
426.739
meters to corner
249;
20
thence
N 17046,55" W
172.936
meters to corner
250;
21
thence
N 51049'54" W
301.722
meters to corner
251;
22
thence
N 50o04,59" W
168.359
meters to corner
252;
23
thence
N 40o02,44" W
264.084
meters to corner
253;
14


1
thence
N 51°29,21" W
213.74
meters to corner
254;
2
thence
N 42011,22" W
235.655
meters to corner
255;
3
thence
N 34o0r06" W
511.723
meters to corner
256;
4
thence
N 39°03,13" W
294.835
meters to corner
257;
5
thence
N 13o40'42" W
321.907
meters to corner
258;
6
thence
N 20°56,25" W
233.741
meters to corner
259;
7
thence
N 07o20,34" E
162.071
meters to corner
260;
8
thence
N 35°17,47" E
779.834
meters to corner
261;
9
thence
N 05°57,47" W
449.988
meters to corner
262;
10
thence
N 17°49'44" E
416.138
meters to corner
263;
11
thence
N 28°06,22" E
473.036
meters to corner
264;
12
thence
N 22°18,26" E
404.767
meters to corner
265;
13
thence
N 05o56'44" W
242.031
meters to corner
266;
14
thence
N 41043'32" W
543.891
meters to corner
267;
15
thence
N 51°10,24" W
259.236
meters to corner
268;
16
thence
S 74°30,13" W
69.918
meters to corner
269;
17
thence
N 68°23,35" W
214.543
meters to corner
270;
18
thence
N 54o22,02" W
126.149
meters to corner
271;
19
thence
N 22024'52" W
263.694
meters to corner
272;
20
thence
N 43021,31" W
618.006
meters to corner
273;
21
thence
N 35°52'23" W
330.152
meters to corner
274;
22
thence
N 10o59,41" W
173.519
meters to corner
275;
23
thence
N 26o05'54" W
104.018
meters to corner
276;
15


1
thence
N 51°50,55" W
136.392
meters to corner
277;
2
thence
N 42°43,04" W
135.418
meters to corner
278;
3
thence
N 14°57,27" W
222.673
meters to corner
279;
4
thence
N 19o17'07" W
148.358
meters to corner
280;
5
thence
N 42o08,39" W
106.843
meters to corner
281;
6
thence
N 58°52'54" W
200.656
meters to corner
282;
7
thence
N 35o31'04" W
127.41
meters to corner
283;
8
thence
N 59o06'33" W
162.006
meters to corner
284;
9
thence
N 35o02'33" W
106.962
meters to corner
285;
10
thence
N 45°43,24" W
209.869
meters to corner
286;
11
thence
N 24°0r09" W
732.017
meters to corner
287;
12
thence
N 01°36,30" W
247.98
meters to corner
288;
13
thence
N 09°06,39" W
138.59
meters to corner
289;
14
thence
N 27°39,14" W
203.38
meters to corner
290;
15
thence
N 52o10'52" W
148.708
meters to corner
291;
16
thence
N 27057'42" W
106.454
meters to corner
292;
17
thence
N 03°05,57" W
118.963
meters to corner
293;
18
thence
N 34°45,52" W
211.226
meters to corner
294;
19
thence
N 44°02,31" W
173.857
meters to corner
295;
20
thence
N 19°13,36" W
75.682
meters to corner
296;
21
thence
S 68044'57" W
90.101
meters to corner
297;
22
thence
N 61044'14" W
126.23
meters to corner
298;
23
thence
N 42°25,12" W
188.898
meters to corner
299;
16


1
thence
N 26°36,40" W
157.139
meters to corner
300;
2
thence
N 08o14,25" W
191.008
meters to corner
301;
3
thence
N 19°43,59" E
297.076
meters to corner
302;
4
thence
N 11057'43" E
210.078
meters to corner
303;
5
thence
N 36°55,28" W
624.875
meters to corner
304;
6
thence
N 17o00,04" W
377.257
meters to corner
305;
7
thence
N 13037'41" W
307.779
meters to corner
306;
8
thence
N 08°53,56" W
483.038
meters to corner
307;
9
thence
N 06°46,32" E
135.916
meters to corner
308;
10
thence
N 27026,11" W
382.682
meters to corner
309;
11
thence
N 20°4ri4" W
190.601
meters to corner
310;
12
thence
N 34046,17" W
175.767
meters to corner
311;
13
thence
N 54°28,11" W
233.169
meters to corner
312;
14
thence
N 33015,13,l W
174.873
meters to corner
313;
15
thence
N 03o05,21" E
292.23
meters to corner
314;
16
thence
N 11°27'17" E
293.428
meters to corner
315;
17
thence
N 06o06,36" W
139.809
meters to corner
316;
18
thence
N 30°19,38" W
443.735
meters to corner
317;
19
thence
N 46°27,52" W
259.738
meters to corner
318;
20
thence
N 34°16,08" W
274.784
meters to corner
319;
21
thence
N 54°22,29" W
397.36
meters to corner
320;
22
thence
N 33°09,02" W
692.286
meters to corner
321;
23
thence
N 24°22,00" E
115.695
meters to corner
322;
17


1
thence
N 09o41,34" W
228.344
meters to corner
323;
2
thence
N 16016,24" W
358.159
meters to corner
324;
3
thence
N 38°19,32" W
409.278
meters to corner
325;
4
thence
N 30°48,58" W
309.227
meters to corner
326;
5
thence
N 06°35,46" W
254.744
meters to corner
327;
6
thence
N 04°24,35" E
391.524
meters to corner
328;
7
thence
N 08°27,45" W
308.544
meters to corner
329;
8
thence
N 17°38,24" W
359.095
meters to corner
330;
9
thence
N 56°51,25" W
287.538
meters to corner
331;
10
thence
N 19°57,06" W
281.208
meters to corner
332;
11
thence
N 01o33'42" W
188.016
meters to corner
333;
12
thence
N 21°07,36" W
229.688
meters to corner
334;
13
thence
N 03o41,40" W
144.044
meters to corner
335;
14
thence
N 09°09,53" E
141.545
meters to corner
336;
15
thence
N 17°59,04" W
74.138
meters to corner
337;
16
thence
N 58o00,01" W
79.267
meters to corner
338;
17
thence
S 88°02,16" W
242.043
meters to corner
339;
18
thence
S 73o07,12" W
140.417
meters to corner
340;
19
thence
S 89°38,18" W
118.939
meters to corner
341;
20
thence
S 65°57,13" W
294.985
meters to corner
342;
21
thence
S 86°0ri0" W
266.057
meters to corner
343;
22
thence
N 60°56,44" W
217.613
meters to corner
344;
23
thence
N 65°24,15" W
460.529
meters to corner
345;
18


1
thence
N 77°02,15" W
202.059
meters to corner
346;
2
thence
S 86o51'05" W
360.914
meters to corner
347;
3
thence
N 78014,35" W
262.003
meters to corner
348;
4
thence
N 65°11'43" W
192.607
meters to corner
349;
5
thence
N 53°13,04" W
193.259
meters to corner
350;
6
thence
N 42043'53" W
379.223
meters to corner
351;
7
thence
N 65°40,32" W
249.96
meters to corner
352;
8
thence
S 77°04,59" W
377.052
meters to corner
353;
9
thence
S 89°28,40" W
356.391
meters to corner
354;
10
thence
S 78°51,04" W
241.599
meters to corner
355;
11
thence
S 74°53,23" W
658.63
meters to corner
356;
12
thence
N 75038,51" W
348.538
meters to corner
357;
13
thence
N 54o07,05" W
350.616
meters to corner
358;
14
thence
N 43058'17" W
316.341
meters to corner
359;
15
thence
N 68o56'07" W
223.374
meters to corner
360;
16
thence
N 51°17'55" W
557.781
meters to corner
361;
17
thence
N 41°05,09" W
792.08
meters to corner
362;
18
thence
N 34014'37" W
413.754
meters to corner
363;
19
thence
N 61°02'30" W
384.736
meters to corner
364;
20
thence
N 56o50,01,, W
360.666
meters to corner
365;
21
thence
N 46043,45" W
475.454
meters to corner
366;
22
thence
N 67°03,42" W
259.747
meters to corner
367;
23
thence
N 49037'15" W
143.462
meters to corner
368;
19


thence N 38o09,48" W 471.388 meters to corner 1;
2 
from the point of beginning containing an area of Sixty One Thousand Two Hundred
3 
Four (61,204) Hectares, more or less. Bearings and distances of line were derived
4 
using the PRS 1992 Philippine Zone V coordinate system, subject to ground delineation
5 
and demarcation.
6 
Any modification of the scope and coverage of the PIPS in this Act shall be
7 
made through an Act of Congress, after consultation with the concerned government
8 
agencies and stakeholders.
9 
Sec. 7. Establishment of Buffer Zones. -The Department of Environment and
10 
Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, upon recommendation of the Protected Area
11 
Management Board (PAMB) created under Section 8 of this Act, may designate areas
12 
surrounding the PIPS as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra layer of
13 
protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases where the
14 
designated buffer zones would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be
15 
required to design their development with due consideration to the PIPS management
16 
plan.
17 
ARTICLE II
18 
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
19 
Sec. 8. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). - Within ninety (90) days
20 
from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be
21 
created to oversee the management of the PIPS. The PAMB shall be composed of the
22 
following:
23 
a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region VIII, as Chairperson;
24 
b) Governor of the Province of Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located or a
25 
duly designated representative;
20


1 
c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents
2 
of the city or province where the PIPS is located or a duly authorized representative,
3 
unless the Senator declines membership in the PAMB;
4 
d) District Representative of the Congressional district where the PIPS is located
5 
or a duly designated representative, unless the District Representative declines
6 
membership in the PAMB;
7 
e) Mayors of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San
8 
Ricardo where the PIPS is located or their duly designated representative/s;
9 
f) Chairpersons of the barangays where the PIPS is located;
10 
g) Regional Executive Directors of the following government agencies, namely:
11 
the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development
12 
Authority (NEDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine
13 
National Police (PNP), the Department of National Defense (DND), and the
14 
Department of Tourism (DOT);
15 
h) Three (3) representatives from either an NGO or PO, duly accredited both
16 
by the DENR and the provincial government of Southern Leyte. The NGO or PO
17 
represented should have been in existence for at least five (5) years and with track
18 
record in or related to protected area management;
19 
i) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the
20 
IPs/ICCs present in the area and recognized by the National Commission on
21 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);
22 
j) One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a
23 
university or college in the Province of Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located, with
24 
proven track record in or related to the protected area management; and
25 
k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the
26 
Province of Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located, who is distinguished in a
27 
profession or field of interest relevant to the PIPS management.
21


1 
The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their
2 
removal, shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586,
3 
otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of
4 
1992", as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded
5 
National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018".
6 
Sec. 9. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. — The PAMB shall have the
7 
following powers and functions:
8
a) Oversee the management of the PIPS;
9 
b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other
10 
related documents for the management of the PIPS;
11 
c) Approve the management plan of the PIPS and ensure its harmonization and
12 
integration with the ancestral domain sustainable development and protection plan
13 
(ADSDPP), land use plan and other development plans, public or private, and its
14 
implementation;
15 
d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures in the conduct
16 
of business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of reference;
17 
e) Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for the
18 
enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the management of the
19 
PIPS;
20 
f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan
21 
and manage the Protected Area-Retention Income Account (PA-RIA) and other funds
22 
in accordance with the accounting and budgeting, rules and regulations;
23
g) Set fees and charges in accordance with the existing guidelines;
24 
h) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate
25 
and effective means;
22


1 
i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other governing
2 
authorities;
3 
j) Monitor and assess the performance of the protected area superintendent
4 
(PASu) and other protected area personnel and compliance of partners with the terms
5 
and conditions of any undertaking, contract or agreement relative to any project or
6 
activity within the PIPS;
7 
k) Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation
8 
or appointment of the PASu; and
9 
I) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the PIPS: Provided, That the
10 
members of the management board representing the LGUs and national agencies in
11 
the PAMB shall inform their respective constituents, offices, or sectors of PAMB-
12 
approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, and projects and
13 
shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations
14 
are complied with, and used as reference and framework in their respective plans,
15 
policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be the
16 
basis for disciplinary action against such member according to administrative rules and
17 
regulations and such penalties as the PAMB may provide: Provided, further. That the
18 
DENR, through the Regional Executive Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts within
19 
the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions
20 
issued by the PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national application, the
21 
latter shall prevail;
22 
Sec. 10. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). - There is hereby
23 
established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected
24 
Area Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day-to-day management,
25 
protection, and administration of the PIPS. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla
26 
position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support
27 
staff with permanent plantilia positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR
28 
Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the PIPS.
23


1 
The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
2 
management and operations of the PIPS. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
3 
following duties and responsibiiities;
4 
a. Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders,
5 
including the annual work and financial plan and ensure its implementation;
6 
b. Ensure the integration of the PIPS management plans, programs, projects,
7 
and policies with reievant national and LGUs' plans and programs;
8 
c. Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure the
9 
availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;
10 
d. Formuiate and recommend to the PAMB proposed poiicies, ruies, reguiations,
11 
and programs;
12 
e. Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which shall
13 
be an important basis for decision-making;
14 
f. Enforce the laws, rules and regulations reievant to the PIPS, commence and
15 
institute administrative and legai actions in coiiaboration with other government
16 
agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in
17 
violation of the provisions this Act;
18 
g. Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities
19 
of the PIPS;
20 
h. Request for and receive any technical assistance, support or advice from any
21 
agency or instrumentality of the government as well as academic institutions, NGOs,
22 
and the private sector, as may be necessary for the effective management, protection
23 
and administration of the PIPS;
24 
i. Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management
25 
plan and other permitted activities in accordance with terms, conditions, and criteria
26 
established by the PAMB: Provided, That ali permits for extraction of natural resources,
27 
including collection of wildlife, and its by-products or derivatives for research
24


1 
purposes, shall continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to prior ciearance
2 
from the PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the specific acts to be covered;
3 
j. Coliect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for
4 
the PIPS: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other income collected
5 
and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in accordance with
6 
existing guidelines;
7 
k. Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and
8 
financial plans of the PIPS based on the management plan; and
9 
I. Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign. The
10 
PAMO may be augmented by the deputized iocal environment and naturai resources
11 
officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approvai of the DENR.
12 
ARTICLE III
13 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
14 
Sec. 11. Panaon Island Protected Seascape Integrated Protected Area Fund
15 
(PIPS-IPAF). —There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Panaon
16 
Island Protected Seascape-Integrated Protected Area Fund (PIPS-IPAF) for purposes
17 
of financing the projects and sustaining the operations of the PIPS and the NIPAS. All
18 
income generated from the operation and management of the PIPS shall accrue to
19 
the PIPS-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of
20 
resources and faciiities of the PIPS, contributions from industries and faciiities directly
21 
benefiting from the PIPS, and such other fees and income derived from the operation
22 
of the PIPS.
23 
The PAMB shaii retain seventy-five percent (75%) of ail revenues raised
24 
through the above means, which shaii be deposited in the PA-RIA in any authorized
25 
government depository bank within the iocality: Provided, That disbursement out of
26 
such deposits shaii be used solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and
27 
management of the PIPS and implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB.
25


1 
The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a
2 
special account in the General Fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing
3 
the programs and projects of the NIPAS.
4 
The PIPS-IPAF may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from
5 
various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in full
6 
as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursement therefrom shall be
7 
made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the
8 
NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing
9 
accounting, budgeting and auditing, rules and regulations: Provided, further. That the
10 
fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.
11 
The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all taxes and other fees not
12 
enumerated herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits,
13 
property tax and rentals of LGUs' facilities.
14 
ARTICLE IV
15 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
16 
Sec. 12. Appropriations. —The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include
17 
in the DENR's annual program of implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall
18 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
19 
Sec. 13. Suppietory Application of the NIPAS Law. — The provisions of Republic
20 
Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppietory
21 
application to this Act.
22 
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
23 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with the
24 
local governments of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San
25 
Ricardo, the provincial government of Southern Leyte, and concerned national
26 
government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective
27 
implementation of this Act.
26


1 
Sec. 15. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
2 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
3 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
4 
Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
5 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent
6 
with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
8 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette ox in a newspaper of general circulation.
9 
Approved
27