Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by REP. SABINIANO “BEN” CANAMA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This House bill seeks to provide the long-time inhabitants of Capayas Island in 
Barangay Tabud, Municipality of Bataraza, Province of Palawan, the opportunity to 
perfect their rights of possession over the public land area they currently occupy and 
possess, protect the State’s natural resources, and support and promote the 
development of Capayas, consistent with the tenets of sustainable economic 
development in the Province of Palawan.  
Capayas is an island west of Barangay Tabud, Bataraza, Palawan. It is a three 
(3) hectare papaya-shaped area where fishermen take lunch breaks on fishing days. Its
shoreline is marked with fine white and pinkish soft sand. Surrounded by clear water
and a gorgeous shoreline, this untouched paradise is packed with the makings of the
next island destination. It is accessible via a 15-minute boat ride from the shores of the
mainland Palawan. Once in Barangay Tabud, Bataraza, visitors can already see the
beautiful island. The local bancas are the only means of transportation for tourists
who visit the island..
Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7611, otherwise known as the Strategic 
Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act, declares the State’s policy to protect, 
develop and conserve its natural resources.  It declares that “it shall assist and support 
the implementation of plans, programs and projects formulated to preserve and 
enhance the environment, and at the same time pursue the socio-economic 
development goals of the country. It shall support and promote the sustainable 
development goals for the provinces through proper conservation, utilization and 
development of natural resources to provide optimum yields on a continuing basis.”  
Despite its natural beauty, Capayas Island is constrained by lack of proper 
utilities and difficulties in accessibility. It has not yet been the subject of major 
development and infrastructure. Long time inhabitants are reluctant to build long-term 
property thereon because of the uncertainty of its land ownership. With years passing 
by, this paradise remains untapped. This area has become prone to illegal settlers for 
squatting and usurpation, thereby undermining the conservation and protection of the 
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natural resources in the area. The waters in and around it are also prone to illegal 
fishing activities, such as dynamite fishing. However, this can be prevented if more 
inhabitants settle in the area once Capayas is reclassified into an alienable and 
disposable land.  
Capayas is located in the first-class Municipality of Bataraza, nestled in the 
southernmost tip of mainland Palawan. Majority of the livelihood in Bataraza is 
fishing and farming. Bataraza itself is overflowing with development potential. It is 
the subject of House Bill No. 6728 which proposes its conversion to a component city. 
It is the Pineapple Capital of Palawan, known for its sweet pineapple harvest.  
The proposed reclassification of Capayas into an alienable and disposable land 
will pave way for its long-awaited development and recognition. From its discovery 
and occupation decades ago, the area has yet to achieve its full glory.  With Bataraza 
now entering a phase of major developments, especially in infrastructure, logistic 
constraints in Capayas will substantially be reduced. Hence, it is high time that this 
area be properly classified as alienable and disposable.  
By converting and reclassifying Capayas from timberland into alienable and 
disposable land, this measure increases the agricultural, commercial, residential and 
tourism land areas available for disposition to the local populace; contribute to 
economic growth in Bataraza; and ensure the proper conservation and management of 
public lands. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly 
recommended. 
REP. SABINIANO “BEN” CANAMA 
COOP-NATCO PARTYLIST 
2


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by REP. SABINIANO “BEN” CANAMA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE WHOLE LAND WITHIN THE ISLAND KNOWN AS 
CAPAYAS ISLAND IN BARANGAY TABUD, MUNICIPALITY OF 
BATARAZA, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN, AS ALIENABLE AND 
DISPOSABLE LAND OPEN TO DISPOSITION FOR AGRICULTURAL, 
COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER PRODUCTIVE 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The land comprising the whole island known as Capayas 
Island situated in Barangay Tabud, Municipality of Bataraza, Province of 
Palawan is hereby declared an alienable and disposable land open to disposition 
for agricultural, commercial, residential, industrial and other productive 
purposes, which is particularly described as follows: 
LINES
BEARINGS              DISTANCES 
1-2
S  08°07’ E 
36.72 M. 
2-3
S  08°30’ E 
39.87 M. 
3-4
S  13°39’ E 
24.35 M. 
4-5
S  04°41’ W 
27.43 M. 
5-6
S  22°05’ W 
54.18 M. 
6-7
S  38°38’ W 
12.80 M. 
7-8
 S  57°50’ W 
18.52 M. 
1
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8-9
S  85°57’ W 
39.76 M. 
9-10
N  85°14’ W 
26.31 M. 
10-11
N 76°39’ W 
19.49 M. 
11-12
N  59°04’ W 
29.97 M. 
12-13
N  26°52’ W 
21.19 M. 
13-14
N  07°13’ W 
22.07 M. 
14-15
N  19°39’ E 
36.80 M. 
15-16
N  31°18’ E 
50.85 M. 
16-17
N  33°52’ E 
54.25 M. 
17-18
N  39°35’ E 
16.02 M. 
18-19
N  50°52’ E 
49.21 M. 
19-20
S 89°37’ E 
13.05 M. 
20-21
S  52°32’ E 
18.89 M. 
21-1
S  20°42’ E 
19.48 M.  
Containing an area of twenty seven thousand fifteen (27,015) square 
meters. 
SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources shall issue the necessary implementing orders, rules, regulations and 
circulars to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 3. All law, executive orders and other issuances inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and amended accordingly. 
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect immediately after approval. 
Approved,