Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 10687

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
DECLARING THE ALABAT WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
ALABAT, THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF
PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA
SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE ALABAT PROTECTED LANDSCAPE,
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Alabat Watershed Forest Reserve (AWFR) in the
municipality of Alabat, Province of Quezon, a protected area, in line with the result of the
Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA).

The assessment finds the 688 hectares AWFR suited to be established as a protected
area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System or e-NIPAS.

This is based on AWFR's unique physical features, anthropological significance, and
high biological diversity

Among the findings of the PASA are the following:

(1) AWFR harbors a very diverse array of ecological important species of flora and
fauna such as critically endangered dipterocarp species as well as endangered
species of fauna like the Philippine deer, wild pig and tarictic hornbill, among others,
which are primarily dependent in the existing floral diversity of the watershed. Thus,
biodiversity within the watershed should be preserved, managed and protected
through a more encompassing stature;

(2) AWFR provides a very precious commodity for the Alabat-potable water for the
municipality and surrounding communities;

(3) Key stakeholders have expressed their desire to further improve the capability of
AWFR to continuously provide the basic life support systems as well as economic,
education, cultural, and recreational benefits for the present and future generations
of Alabatins.

Thus, upon evaluation of the results of the study, it was recommended to include AWFR
under the e-NIPAS as a Protected Landscape since it is characterized by the harmonious
interaction of human and nature while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through
recreation, tourism and other economic activities.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._16687

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
DECLARING THE ALABAT WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
ALABAT, THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF
PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA
SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE ALABAT PROTECTED LANDSCAPE,
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

ARTICLE |
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Alabat Protected Landscape
Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Cognizant of the profound impact of human activities
on all components of the natural environment particularly the effect of increasing population,
resource exploitation and industrial advancement, and recognizing the critical importance of
protecting and maintaining the natural, biological, and physical diversities of the environment
notably on areas with biologically unique features to sustain human life, it is hereby declared
the policy of the State to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generation, the
perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of
comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of national park
as provided for in the Constitution

In recognition of the richness and diversity of the biological resources, both flora and
fauna, that are distinct to the Quezon Province, specifically in the 4" District, and its aesthetic
and ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the Municipality of Alabat in the Province
of Quezon, and covering the Alabat Watershed Forest Reserve (AWFR), is hereby declared as
a Protected Area with the category of Protected Landscape, and shall hereinafter be referred
to as the Alabat Protected Landscape (APL). As such, the state shall ensure the conservation,
protection, management and rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that the
effective administration of this area is possibly only through cooperation among national
government, local government units (LGUs), concerned non-government organizations
(NGOs), private entities and local communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be
consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.

Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the
mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the full
scientific and technical support need for the conservation of biodiversity and the integrity of the
ecosystems, culture and indigenous practices

SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy. — As used in this Act:


(a) Buffer zones refer to identified areas outside the boundaries and immediately
adjacent to the designated protected areas that need special development control to avoid or
minimize harm to the protected area;

(b) Conservation refers to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable utilization of
wildlife or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of habitats;

(c) Indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/ Indigenous peoples (IPs) refer to groups of
people sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions, and other distinctive cultural
traits, and who have, since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized a territory;

(d) National park refers to land of the public domain classified as such in the
Constitution which includes all areas under the NIPAS, primarily designated for the
conservation of native plants and animals, their associated habitats and cultural diversity;

(e) Protected area refers to an identified portion of land and water set aside because of
its unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and
protected against destructive human exploitation;

(f) Protected landscape refers to an area of national significance, which is characterized
by the harmonious interaction of humans, land, and water while providing opportunities for
public enjoyment through recreation, tourism, and other economic activities; and

(g) Tenured migrants refer to protected area occupants who have been actually,
continuously and presently occupying a portion of the protected area for five (5) years before
the proclamation or law establishing the same as a protected area and are solely dependent
therein for subsistence;

SEC. 4. Classification as a National Park. — The Alabat Protected Landscape (APL) is
comprised of land of the public domain located in the Municipality of Alabat in the Province of
Quezon. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of the APL, shall fall
under the classification of national park as provided in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.

SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. — The boundaries of Alabat Protected Landscape are
more particularly described as the area beginning at a point marked as “1” being N 08° 02" 00
E, 3.413.72 meters from "QZN-3495" with a geographic coordinates of 14° 6' 9.35938" latitude
and 122° 0' 51.36783" longitude located at Municipality of Alabat, Quezon,

LINES BEARINGS DISTANCE (m)

N 49°29" W - 169.12
N 49°49" W _ [161.55
N47°30" W 414.63

__ N27°29' W_ - 353.54
N27°35" W 299.12
N 04°35’ W 408.94
N 44°43’ W _ | 241.02 _ _|
N 83°48" W 255.97
N 10°58’ E _ 204.74
N51°013' W [208.12
N 16°00" W_ 387.76 __
$ 50°37" W 79.60
N 26°52’ W - [215.66
NoI's6’ W 243.02 _
N35°44' E ___ [282.56
N 43°28" E 212.21
N 86°32’ E _ 270.75
N 86°10’ E 380.35 _ _



N 43°24’ W 1,392.14
$ 29°49’ E 276.89
$57°S6'E 295.74
$25°26'E 299.93
$52°25' E 753.47
$40°27'E 135.69
$66°39'E 197.79
$27°36'E 145.15
$40°07'E 295.01
$45°09'E 287.64
_ $.08°06' W 181.31
S$ 37°35’ E 190.08
$10°35'E 410.10
$.43°28' W 374.04
$82°21'W 141.83
$ 73°22’ W 67.68
N 70°33’ W 352.16
$11°02 W 97.30
89°30’ W 270.11
N 23°41’ E 33.92
N 51°47’ W 155.59
____ [Nea w 322.73
N 67°33" W 83.48
N51°S6’ W 285.62
__[naaa3'w 87.94
70°51 W 40.79
24°37 W 44.27
$72°17'W. 47.64
_ ____| $ 89°07’ W 40.44
N 43°11’ W 39.60
N 39°36’ W 285.39

TIE LINE

Somer | is being N 08° 02' 00 E, 3.413.72 meters from "QZN-3495" with a geographic coordinates of

14° 6' 9.35938" latitude and 122° 0' 51.36783" longitude located at Municipality of Alabat, Quezon

the point of beginning containing an area of SIX HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR AND
FIFTY-TWO HUNDREDTHS (694.52) HECTARES.

SEC. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. — The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) Secretary, upon the recommendation of the key informants and other
stakeholders during the public consultations, may designate areas surrounding the Alabat
Protected Landscape (APL) as buffer zones to provide an extra layer of protection where
restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases where the designated buffer zone would
cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be required to designate their development with
due consideration to the protected area management plan.

ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
SEC. 7. Establishment of Buffer Zones. — Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of
this Act, a Protected Management Board (PAMB) shall be created to oversee the management
of APL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following
(a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region IV-A as Chairperson;

(b) Governor of the Quezon Province or the duly authorized representative;



(c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents of
Quezon, or their duly designated representative, unless the Senators decline the
membership in the PAMB;

(d) District Representative of the Congressional District where the APL is located or
the duly designated representative, unless the district representative declines the
membership in the PAMB;

(e)Mayor of the municipality of Alabat, Quezon or the duly authorized
representative;

(f) Chairperson(s) of the barangay(s) within the territorial jurisdiction of the APL;

(g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: the
Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of National Defense (DND), the
Department of Tourism (DOT), and National Historical Commission of the
Philippines (NHCP);

(h) Three (3) representatives from NGOs or people's organizations (POs) based in
the Province of Quezon, duly accredited both by the DENR and the provincial
government. The NGOs or POs representatives should have been in existence
for at least five (5) years with track record in or related to protected area
management;

(

One (1) representative from the academe, preferably from a university or college
in the Province of Quezon with proven track record in or related to protected area
management; and

(k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the
Province of Quezon, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest to the
protected area management.

The terms of Office of the members of the PAMB, as well as grounds for their
removal, shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Republic Act No. 7586, other known
as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992”, as amended by Republic Act
No. 11038, otherwise known as the “Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System
Act of 2018”.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. — The PAMB shall have the following
powers and functions:

(a) Oversee the management of the APL;

(b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other related
documents for the management of the APL;

(c) Approve the management plan of APL and ensure its harmonization and
integration with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection
Plan, land use plan and other development plans, public or private, and its
implementation;

(d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedure in the conduct of
business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of reference;


(e) Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for the
enforcement of laws, rules and regulations governing the management of the
APL;

(f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan and
manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and other funds in
accordance with the accounting and budgeting rules and regulations;

(g) Set fees and charges in accordance with existing guidelines;

(h) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and
effective means;

(i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government
authorities with respect to the management of the APL;

() Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Areas Superintendent
(PASu) and other protected area personnel and compliance of partners with the
terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract and agreement;

(k) Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation or
appointment of the PASu; and

(I) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the APL: Provided, That the
members of the PAMB representing the LGUs and national agencies shall inform
their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of PAMB-approved or other
relevant policies, rules and regulations, programs, and projects and shall ensure
that the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations issued to implement it
comply with and used as reference and framework in their respective plans,
policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be a
basis for disciplinary action against such member according to the basis for
disciplinary action against such member according to administrative rules and
regulations and such penalties as the PAMB may provide: Provided, further, That
the DENR, through the Regional Director, shall ensure the that PAMB acts within
the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions
issued by the PAMB and existing administrative orders of national application,
the latter shall prevail

SEC. 9. Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). — There is hereby established a
Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected Area Superintendent
(PASu) who shall supervise the day-to-day management, protection, and administration of the
APL. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR
Secretary. A sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise
be appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the APL.

The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
management and operations of the APL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the following
duties and responsibilities

(a) Prepare management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, including the
annual work and financial plans and ensure its implementation;

(b) Ensure the integration of the protected area management plans, programs, projects,
and policies with relevant national and LGUs’ plans and programs;

(c) Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure the
availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;


(d) Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules, regulations, and
programs;

(e) Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which shall be an
important basis for decision-making;

(f) Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the area, commence and institute
administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other government agencies;

(g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of the
protected area;

(h) Request and receive any technical assistance, support or advice from any agency or
instrumentality of the government as well as academic institutions, NGOs, and the private
sector, as may be necessary for the effective management, protection and administration of
the protected area;

(i) Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management plan and
other permitted activities following terms, conditions, and criteria established by the PAMB:
Provided. That all permits for extraction activities, including collection for research purposes,
shall also continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the
PAMB, through the PASU, in accordance with the specific acts to be covered;

() Collect and/or receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for the
protected area: Provided, that such fees, charges, donations, and other income collected/
received shall reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in accordance with existing
guidelines;

(k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB the approval of the annual work and financial
plans of protected area based on the management plan; and

() Perform such other functions as the PAMB and DENR may assign.

ARTICLE Ill
PROCEEDS AND FEES

SEC. 10. Alabat Protected Landscape Integrated Area Fund. — There is hereby
established a trust fund to be known as the Alabat Protected Landscape Integrated Protected
Area Fund (APL-IPAF) for purposes of financing the projects of the Alabat Protected
Landscape and the NIPAS. Alll income generated from the operation and management of wild
flora and fauna in the CPL shall accrue to the APL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from
fees of permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from APL, proceeds
from lease of multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting
from APL, and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the APL.

The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through the
above means, which shall be deposited to the Protected Area-Retained Income Account (PA-
RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the locality: Provided, That
disbursements of such deposits shall be used solely for the protection, maintenance,
administration, and management of the APL and implementation of duly approved projects of
the PAMB. The remaining 25% of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the
general fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing the programs and projects of
the NIPAS.


The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowment from various
sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That, the fund shall be deposited in full as a special
account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be made solely fot the
protection, maintenance, administration and management of the NIPAS as duly approved
projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting, budgeting, and
auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the fund shall not be used to cover
personnel services expenditures.

The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein
which they have traditionally collected, such as property business permits, property tax and
rental of LGUs' facilities

ARTICLE IV
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 11. Appropriations. — The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include in the
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in
the annual General Appropriate Act

SEC. 12. Suppletory Application of NIPAS Law. — The provisions of Republic Act No
7586, otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992”, as
amended by Republic Act No. 11038, or the "Expanded National Integrated Protected Area
System Act of 2018” shall have suppletory applications to this Act.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with Municipality of
Alabat, the provincial government of Quezon, and concerned national government agencies,
issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, executive orders,
rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 16. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,