NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1725
;l5)caaU’
o( tl)f n i'fii
23 JAN 23 R2:07
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN 
ANDRES IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE 
CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE UNDER THE 
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO 
AS THE ALIBIJABAN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE, PROVIDING 
FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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 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 
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
1 Article II, Section 16,1987 Philippine Constitution
2 Article XII, Sec. 3, 1987 Philippine Constitution


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
To date, as of January 2023, 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.
This bill seeks to declare the Alibijaban Wilderness Area (AWA) into the 
Alibijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape in the Municipality of San Andres, 
Province of Quezon. It has a total area of 1,055.84 hectares with 472.51 hectares 
as landscape area and 583.33 hectares as seascape area. By virtue of Presidential 
Proclamation No. 2151 series of 1981, the Alibijaban Island was declared as a 
wilderness area.
The Alibijaban has a unique ecosystem with a wide range of variety of species 
listed as endangered or near threatened and is rich sanctuary to various flora and 
fauna. AWA is a home to sixty-nine (69) flora species, including trees, shrubs, palms 
and other vines. Of these 69 species, twenty six (26) are classified as true 
mangroves, while the rest are associates and beach forest species. Among the 26 
mangrove species identified in the island, five (5) of these were listed in the National 
List of Threatened Species in the Philippines namely Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding 
Hou., Aegiceras floridum Roem, Pemphis acidula J.R. 8i Forst., Camptostemon 
phiUppinense (Vidal) Becc. and Xybcarpus rumphii(Kostel.) Mabb.
1 Section 2, RA No. 7586, as amended by RA 11038


So far, there are thirty-eight (38) identified avian species that could be found 
in AWA, which inciude the Tabon bird {Magapodius freycinetpusHHus) that is one of 
two subspecies under the family Megapodidae and considered endemic to the 
island. AWA is also a roosting site of the Golden Crown Flying Fox and Large Flying 
Fox, other migratory birds and some species of reptiles. The island is also noted for 
the presence of unique fauna, including the species of marine turtle such as pawikan 
or Green Sea Turtle {Chdonia mydas), Hawksbill {Erytmochelys imbricate), Olive 
Ridley {Lepidocheiys oiivacea) and Leatherback {Dermocheiys coriacea). 
Additionally, Whale Sharks {Rhincodon typus) and Bottled Nose Dolphin are 
occasional visitors of Alibijan Island.
In 2020, AWA and its surrounding seascape were subjected to a Protected 
Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) conducted by the Department of Environment 
and Natural Resources (DENR) to determine whether the same is suitable to be 
legislated as a Protected Area. Data from three (3) ecosystems, namely Seagrass, 
Mangrove, and Coral reefs were gathered and indeed the Alibijaban Wilderness Area 
can be considered as a protected area with a wide variety of species.
In view of the foregoing, I recommend the approval of this bill.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


I ’
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1725
of lljf S'Tirrni^
23 JAN 23 R2.-07
RECEIVtO BV:
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN 
ANDRES IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE 
CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE UNDER THE 
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO 
AS THE ALIBIJABAN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE, 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:
1 
ARTICLE I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. We. - This Act shall be known as the "Alibijaban Protected
4 
Landscape and Seascape Act".
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Cognizant of the profound impact of human
6 
activity on all components of the natural environment, it is hereby declared the
7 
policy of the State to secure for the Filipino peopie of present and future
8 
generations, the perpetuai existence of ail native piants and animais through the
9 
declaration of protected areas under the Nationai Integrated Protected Areas System
10 
(NIPAS) within the ciassification of nationai park as provided for in the Constitution.
11 
In recognition of the richness of the biologicai resources, both flora and
12 
fauna, that are native and distinct to the Aiibijaban Wilderness Area, as well as their
13 
aesthetic and ecologicai importance, a parcel of land located in the Municipality of
1


1 
San Andres, Province of Quezon, is hereby declared a protected area under the
2 
category of protected landscape and seascape, and shall hereinafter be referred to
3 
as the Alibijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape (APLS). As such, the State shall
4 
ensure the conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation of the area. It is
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likewise recognized that effective administration of this area is possible only through
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cooperation among the National Government, local government units (LGUs),
7 
concerned nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private entities and local
8 
communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the
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principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.
10 
Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act,
11 
the mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established,
12 
and the full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of
13 
biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystems, and cultural and indigenous
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practices.
15 
Sec. 
3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
16 
a) 
Buffer zones refer to identified areas outside the boundaries of and
17 
immediately adjacent to designated protected areas that need special
18 
development control 
in order to avoid or minimize harm 
to the
19 
protected area;
20 
b) 
Conservation refers to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable
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utilization of wildlife or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of
22 
habitats;
23 
c) 
Indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples refer to groups of
24 
people sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions, and
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other distinctive cultural traits, and who have, since time immemorial
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occupied, possessed and utilized a territory;
27 
d) 
National park refers to land of the public domain classified as such in
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the Constitution which includes all areas under the NIPAS, primarily


1 
designated for the conservation of native plants and animals, their
2 
associated habitats and cultural diversity;
3 
e) 
Protected area refers to an identified portion of land and water set
4 
aside by reason of its unique physical and biological significance,
5 
managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against
6 
destructive human exploitation;
7 
f) 
Protected landscape and/or seascape refers to an area of national
8 
significance which is characterized by the harmonious interaction of
9 
human and land and water while providing opportunities for public
10 
enjoyment through recreation, tourism, and other economic activities;
11 
and
12 
g) 
Tenured migrants refer to protected area occupants who are presently
13 
occupying, and have been actually and continuously occupying, a
14 
portion of the protected area for five (5) years before the same was
15 
established by proclamation or law as a protected area, and are solely
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dependent therein for subsistence.
17 
Sec. 4. Classification as a National Park. - The APIS is comprised of a parcel
18 
of land of the public domain located in the Municipality of San Andres, in the
19 
Province of Quezon. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of
20 
the APLS shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for in Article
21 
XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.
22 
Sec. 5. Scope and Coverage. - The boundaries of the Alibijaban Protected
23 
Landscape and Seascape are more particularly described follows:
24 
The Alibijaban Protected Seascape pertains to the area beginning at a point
25 
marked "1" on the Map, being N 70° 29' 43" E., 3,662.89 meters from QZN-3479
26 
with geographic coordinates of 13° 19' 22.93063" Latitude and 122° 40' 39.46402"
27 
Longitude located at Municipality of San Andres in the Province of Quezon,
28
thence N 00°53' 42"W
1538.10 meters to corner 2;


1
thence
N 07o49' 49"E
843.63
meters to corner
3;
2
thence
IM 14044' 52" E
1258.88
meters to corner
4;
3
thence
N 46°29' 39" E
584.06
meters to corner
5;
4
thence
N 58029' 45"E
612.09
meters to corner
6;
5
thence
S 64°14' 28"E
390.02
meters to corner
7;
6
thence
S llo04,53"E
379.66
meters to corner
8;
7
thence
S OrOZ 49" W
1289.75
meters to corner
9;
8
thence
S 03°15' 18"E
711.57
meters to corner
10;
9
thence
S 03o26' 44"E
1288.49
meters to corner
11;
10
thence
S 01o25, 29"E
1068.79
meters to corner
12;
11
thence
S 04°10' 29"W
924.65
meters to corner
13;
12
thence
S 27°24' 41"W
375.87
meters to corner
14;
13
thence
S 64°38' 46"W
1272.21
meters to corner
15;
14
thence
N 40°16' 25"W
310.24
meters to corner
16;
15
thence
N 16°58' 44"W
1069.61
meters to corner
17;
16
thence
N 00°02' 59" E
1124.57
meters to corner
1,
17 
the point of beginning containing an area of five hundred eighty-three and 33/100
18 
(583.33) hectares.
19 
Sec. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. - The Secretary of the Department of
20 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the
21 
Protected Area Management Board created under Section 7 of this Act, may
22 
designate areas surrounding the APIS as buffer zones for the purpose of providing
23 
an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That in
24 
cases where the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners
25 
thereof shall be required to design their development with due consideration to the
26 
protected area management plan.


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ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
Sec. 7. Protected Area Management Board. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be 
created to oversee the management of the APIS. The PAMB shall be composed of 
the following:
a) 
DENR Regional Executive Director for Region IV-A, as Chairperson;
b) 
Governor of the Province of Quezon or a duly authorized 
representative;
c) 
Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered 
residents of the Province of Quezon, or their duly designated 
representatives, unless the Senators decline the membership in the 
PAMB;
d) 
District Representative of the Congressional District where the APIS is 
located, or a duly designated representative, unless the District 
Representative declines the membership in the PAMB;
e) 
Mayor of the Municipality of San Andres, in the Province of Quezon or 
a duly authorized representative;
f) 
Chairpersons of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the 
APIS;
g) 
Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: 
Department of Agriculture, National Economic and Development 
Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National 
Police, Department of National Defense, and Department of Tourism;
h) 
Three (3) representatives from either 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 represented 
should have been in existence for at least five (5) years and with track
record in or related to protected area management;
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0 At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all 
the indigenous cultural communities/ indigenous peoples present in the 
area and recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous 
Peoples;
j) 
One (1) representative from an academic institution, 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 relevant to the management of a protected area.
The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their 
removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, 
otherwise 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. Functions of the PAMB. - The PAMB shall have the following powers 
and functions:
a) 
Oversee the management of the APIS;
b) 
Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and 
other related documents for the management of the APIS;
c) 
Approve the management plan of the APIS and ensure its 
harmonization with and integration into the Ancestral Domain 
Sustainable Development and Protection Plan, land use plan and other 
development plans, public or private, and their implementation;
d) 
Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures 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
6


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the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the 
management of the APIS;
0 Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management 
plan and manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and 
other funds in accordance with government accounting, budgeting, and 
auditing 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 APIS;
j) 
Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area 
Superintendent and other protected area personnel and compliance of 
partners with the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract or 
agreement relative to any project or activity within the APIS;
k) 
Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the 
designation or appointment of the Protected Area Superintendent; and
l) 
Assess the effectiveness of the management of the APIS: Provided, 
That the members of the PAMB representing the LCDs and national 
agencies shall inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of 
PAMB-approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, 
and projects and shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and the 
rules and regulations issued to implement it are complied with and 
used as reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, 
programs, and projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be 
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 that the PAMB acts within the scope of its powers


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and functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions issued by the 
PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national application, the 
latter shall prevail.
Sec. 9. The Protected Area Management Office. — 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 APLS. 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 
protected area.
The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the 
management and operations of the APLS. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the 
following duties and responsibilities:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, 
including the annual work and financial plan and ensure its 
implementation;
Ensure the integration of relevant national and LGU plans and 
programs into APLS management plans, programs, projects, and 
policies;
Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and 
ensure the availability of relevant and timely information for decision­
making;
Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules, 
regulations, and programs;
Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system 
which shall be an important basis for decision-making;
8


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f) 
Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the APIS, 
commence and institute administrative and legal actions in 
collaboration with other government agencies or organizations, and 
assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of the 
provisions of this Act;
g) 
Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management 
activities of the APIS;
h) 
Request for 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 APIS;
i) 
Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the 
management plan and other permitted activities in accordance with 
terms, conditions, and criteria established by the PAMB: Provided, That 
all permits for extraction of natural resources for research purposes, 
including the collection of wildlife and its by-products or derivatives, 
shall specify the acts to be authorized, and shall continue to be issued 
by relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, 
through the PASu;
j) 
Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other 
income for the APIS: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, 
and other income collected and received shall be reported regularly to 
the PAMB and the DENR in accordance with existing guidelines;
k) 
Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and 
financial plans of the APIS based on the management plan; and
l) 
Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.
9


1 
The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and
2 
natural resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of
3 
the DENR.
4 
ARTICLE III
5 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
6 
Sec. 10. The AHbijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape Integrated
I 
Protected Area Fund. - There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the
8 
Alibijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape Integrated Protected Area Fund
9 
(APLS-IPAF) for purposes of financing projects of the APIS and the NIPAS. All
10 
income generated from the operation and management of wild flora and fauna in
II 
the APIS shall accrue to the APLS-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees from
12 
permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the APLS,
13 
proceeds from the lease of multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and
14 
facilities directly benefiting from the APLS, and such other fees and income derived
15 
from the operation of the APLS.
16 
The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised
17 
through the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained
18 
Income Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the
19 
locality: Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for
20 
the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the APLS and
21 
implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining twenty-five
22 
percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the General
23 
Fund of the National Treasury for purposes of financing the projects of the NIPAS.
24 
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments from
25 
various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in
26 
full as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall
27 
be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of
28 
the NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with
29 
existing accounting, budgeting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further,
10


1 
That the fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.
2 
The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated
3 
herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, property tax
4 
and rentals of LCDs' facilities.
5 
ARTICLE IV
6 
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
7 
Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately
8 
include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of
9 
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
10 
Sec. 12. Suppietory Appiication of the NIPAS Law. — The provisions of
11 
Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have
12 
suppietory application to this Act.
13 
Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
14 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with the
15 
local governments of the Municipality of San Andres, the provincial government of
16 
Quezon, and concerned national government agencies, issue rules and regulations
17 
for the effective implementation of this Act.
18 
Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act is held
19 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
20 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
21 
Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
22 
regulations, issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
23 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
24 
Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
25 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation
Approved,
11