REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES}
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS}
First Regular Session }

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bio, 2713

Introduced by Hon. Joselito R. Mendoza

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed bill seeks to reinstate the area of Biak na Bato National Park
(BNBNP) into its original area of 2,117 hectares as declared by President Manuel L.
Quezon through Proclamation No. 223 on November 6,1937 in recognition of its
contribution to the Philippine Revolution.

The boundaries of the park was significantly redefined by the subsequent
presidential proclamation of formers presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos and Corazon C.
Aquino. Presidential Proclamation No. 2204 issued by then President Ferdinand E.
Marcos segregated the 330.3062 hectares from the original area of 2,117 hectares and
opened the area for exploration and mining. Former President Corazon Aquino by virtue
of Proclamation No. 401, further redefined the boundaries and reduced the original area
to 659.4497 hectares. By virtue of these subsequent executive acts, portion of the
national park was also made available for mining operations. Thus, large scale mining
operators were able to secure permit to commence mining activities in the area of
subject historical landmark, despite the prohibition of Section 15, Article XIV of the
1987 Philippine Constitution which states that “ The state shall conserve, promote, and
popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources as well as artistic
creations.” Section 16 of the same article provides that “ All the country’s artistic and
historical wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the
protection of the State which may regulate its disposition.”

In 1998, Republic Act No, 8546 was enacted declaring the Biak-na-Bato National
Park as a historical shrine and major tourist attraction.

Pursuant to the intent of the said law, Non- government organizations, including
environmentalists and local governments initiated all form of protest to stop the
irrational exploration and desecration of the Biak na Bato National Park.

However, mining operators were still granted large scale mining permit after
complying with the basic requirements of the Mining Act of 1995.

There were also reports, as validated by the Provincial Environment and Natural
Resource Office (PENRO) that large scale mining operators have been conducting their
mining activities beyond the area specified on their mining permit, worst, exploring on
the buffer zones and boundaries of the national park.


In order to preserve and to prevent further desecration of this significant
national and historical landmark, and to put things in the right perspective within the
declared policy as enunciated in the provision of the fundamental law of the land, there
is an extreme necessity to reinstate the original area of Biak na Bato National Park as
defined and/or provided for under Presidential Proclamation No. 223 dated November 6,
1937.

In view of the foregoing premises, immediate approval of this Bill is hereby
respectfully sought.

. \dseLrTo MENDOS
Representative
* District, Bulacan



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__2743

Introduced by Honorable Joselito R. Mendoza

AN ACT
REINSTATING THE ORIGINAL AREA OF THE HISTORICAL BIAK-NA-BATO
NATIONAL PARK (BNBNP) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN MIGUEL,
PROVINCE OF BULACAN, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL
PROCLAMATION NOS. 401 AND 2204, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Reinstatement of the Original Area of the Biak-na-Bato
National Park.- The Biak-na-Bato National Park (BNBP) is hereby reinstated to its
original area, comprising of Two Thousand One Hundred Seventeen (2,117) hectares as
first defined and fix by then President Manuel L. Quezon by virtue of Presidential
Proclamation No. 223, covering Barangay Sibul and Biak-na-Bato of the Municipality of
San Miguel and Barangay Kalawakan of the Municipality of Dofia Remedios Trinidad,
Province of Bulacan.

SECTION 2. Protection of the Biak-na-Bato National Park.- As national
park, the entire area of two Thousand One Hundred Seventeen ( 2,117) hectares of
BNBNP shall be governed by the provisions of Republic Act No. 7568, otherwise known
as the National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992.”

SECTION 3. Prohibited Acts.- The following acts shall be prohibited within the
Biak-na-Bato National Park:

a. Exploring and extracting mineral resources;

b. Cutting, gathering, removing or collecting timber or any forest
products without the necessary permit, authorization of exemption
issued by concerned government agency;

¢. Hunting, taking, disturbing or possessing flora and fauna or products
derived therefrom;

d, Putting up any kind of permanent or temporary structure, which does
not contribute to the preservation and protection of the park;

e. Engaging in kaingin or slash-and-burn farming or any activity that
causes forest fire;

f. Vandalizing any part of the park; and

g. Committing any other similar acts.


SECTION 4. Penal Provision.- A fine of not less than Fifty Thousand
Pesos ( 50,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more
than twelve (12) years, or both, upon discretion of the court shall be imposed for
acts committed in violation of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of Section 3 hereof.

A fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (20,000.00) or
imprisonment of not less than four (4) years but not more than six (6) years, or
both, upon discretion of the court, and the restoration and rehabilitation of the
area, shall be imposed for acts committed in violation of paragraphs (d), (e), (f),
and (g) of Section 8 hereof.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause.- If any provision of this Act shall be
declared invalid or held unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which
are not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and effective.

SECTION 6.Repealing Clause.- This Act repeals Presidential
Proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provision of
this Act are hereby repealed and modified accordingly;

SECTION 7. Effectivity.- The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspaper of General circulation

Approved,