NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
of tlif
23 JAN 18 P2 S4
SENATE
RECEIVED BY:
S. No.
1691
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN 
FRANCISCO IN 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 SAN 
FRANCISCO PROTECTED LANDSCAPE, 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 ciassification 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 Mulanay Watershed Forest Reserve (MWFR) in 
the Municipality of San Francisco, Province of Quezon into the San Francisco 
Protected Landscape. The MWFR is covered by Proclamation No. 296 series of 1938 
and part of the initial components of the NIPAS. The area is characterized by an 
abundance of forest vegetation and a vital sanctuary of threatened fauna and flora 
species.
In 2021, the MWFR was subjected to the Protected Area Suitability 
Assessment (PASA) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to 
determine its suitability to be legislated as a protected area pursuant to the 
Expanded NIPAS Act. Through the PASA, it was determined that the MWFR is 
suitable to be declared a protected area under the category of Protected Landscape 
due to its rich and lush forest vegetation that serves as the habitat of various 
wildlife, including threatened flora and fauna species. The PASA also resulted to 
have the area renamed as "San Francisco Protected Landcape" through legislation.
! Section 2, RA No. 7586, as amended by RA 11038


The MWFR has a total area of 29.6 hectares. Its rich biodiversity of flora and 
fauna include those in the updated national lists of threatened Philippine plants and 
animals and their respective categories. The Biodiversity Monitoring System Report 
identified eighty-three (83) floral species and fifty-nine (59) faunal species in the 
area, three (3) flora and two (2) fauna species of which were classified as 
endangered. Significantly, the MWFR also provides clean source of water for the 
people that can be used domestically and agriculturally.
Considering all the foregoing, I recommend the approval of this bill.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


of tl)f t. etaci>
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
23 JI\Nl8 P2S4
RECEIVED ff/.
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN 
FRANCISCO IN 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 SAN 
FRANCISCO 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:
1 
ARTICLE I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "San Francisco Protected
4 
Landscape 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 people of present and future
8 
generations, the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the
9 
declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System
10 
(NIPAS) within the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution.
11 
In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and
12 
fauna, that are native and distinct to the Mulanay Watershed Forest Reserve, as well
13 
as their aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the
1


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Municipality of San Francisco, Province of Quezon, is hereby declared a protected
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area under the category of protected landscape, and shall hereinafter be referred to
3 
as the San Francisco Protected Landscape (SFPL). As such, the State shall ensure
4 
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),
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concerned nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private entities and local
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communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the
9 
principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.
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Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act,
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the mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established,
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and the full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of
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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
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immediately adjacent to designated protected areas that need special
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development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the
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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
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habitats;
23 
c) 
Indigenous cuiturai communities/indigenous peopies refer to groups of
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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;
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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


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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 by reason 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 human and 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 are presently 
occupying, and have been actually and continuously occupying, a 
portion of the protected area for five (5) years before the same was 
established by proclamation or law as a protected area, and are solely 
dependent therein for subsistence.
Sec. 4. Classification as a National Park. - The SFPL is comprised of a parcel 
of land of the public domain located in the Municipality of San Francisco, in the 
Province of Quezon. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of 
the SFPL shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for in Article 
XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.
Sec. 5. Scope and Coverage. -The boundaries of the San Francisco Protected 
Landscape are more particularly described as the area beginning at a point marked 
"1" on the Map, being N 43° 19' 44" E., 2,157.25 meters from QZN-3477 with 
geographic coordinates of 13° 20' 53.63034" Latitude and 122° 30' 56.32977" 
Longitude located at Barangay Poblacion, Municipality of San Francisco, Province of 
Quezon
thence N 37° 59' 28" E 
thence S 63° 16' 32" E
307.06 meters to corner 2; 
162.34 meters to corner 3;


1
thence
N 70° 39' 18" E
238.47
meters to corner
4;
2
thence
S 50° 45' 19" E
260.82
meters to corner
5;
3
thence
S 06° 37' 51" E
346.32
meters to corner
6;
4
thence
S 56° 51' 03" W
265.16
meters to corner
7;
5
thence
N 33° 41' 18" W
46.87
meters to corner
8;
6
thence
N 39° 03' 05" w
68.25
meters to corner
9;
7
thence
N 47° 04' 51" w
77.83
meters to corner
10;
8
thence
N 46° 34' 30" w
77.10
meters to corner
11;
9
thence
N 65° 04' 36" w
109.17
meters to corner
12;
10
thence
N 55° 31' 59" w
204.98
meters to corner
13;
11
thence
N 70° 22' 22" w
136.96
meters to corner
1,
12 
the point of beginning containing an area of twenty-nine and 60/100 (29.6)
13 
hectares.
14 
Sec. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. - The Secretary of the Department of
15 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the
16 
Protected Area Management Board created under Section 7 of this Act, may
17 
designate areas surrounding the SFPL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing
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an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That in
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cases where the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners
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thereof shall be required to design their development with due consideration to the
21 
protected area management plan.
22 
ARTICLE II
23 
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
24 
Sec. 7. Protected Area Management Board. - Within ninety (90) days
25 
from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be
26 
created to oversee the management of the SFPL. The PAMB shall be composed of
27 
the following:
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a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region IV-A, as Chairperson;


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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 SFPL is 
located, or a duly designated representative, unless the District 
Representative declines the membership in the PAMB;
e) 
Mayor of the Municipality of San Francisco in the Province of Quezon or 
a duly authorized representative;
f) 
Chairpersons of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the 
SFPL;
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;
i) 
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
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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 SFPL;
b) 
Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and 
other related documents for the management of the SFPL;
c) 
Approve the management plan of the SFPL 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 
the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the 
management of the SFPL;
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 government accounting, budgeting, and 
auditing rules and regulations;


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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 SFPL;
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 SFPL;
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 SFPL: 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, 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 
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.
27 
Sec. 9. The Protected Area Management Office. — There is hereby
28 
established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a
29 
Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day to day


1 
management, protection, and administration of the SFPL The PASu shall hold a
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permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A
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sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be
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appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the
5 
protected area.
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The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
7 
management and operations of the SFPL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
8 
following duties and responsibilities:
9 
a) 
Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders,
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including the annual work and financial plan and ensure its
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implementation;
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b) 
Ensure the integration of relevant national and LGU plans and
13 
programs into SFPL management plans, programs, projects, and
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policies;
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c) 
Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and
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ensure the availability of relevant and timely information for decision-
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making;
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d) 
Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules,
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regulations, and programs;
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e) 
Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system
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which shall be an important basis for decision-making;
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f) 
Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the SFPL,
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commence and institute administrative and legal actions in
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collaboration with other government agencies or organizations, and
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assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of the
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provisions of this Act;
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g) 
Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management
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activities of the SFPL;
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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 SFPL;
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 SFPL: 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 SFPL based on the management plan; and
l) 
Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.
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The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and
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natural resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of
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the DENR.
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ARTICLE III 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
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Sec. 10. The San Francisco Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area
27 
Fund. -There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the San Francisco
28 
Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (SFPL-IPAF) for purposes of


1 
financing projects of the SFPL and the NIPAS. All income generated from the
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operation and management of wild flora and fauna in the SFPL shall accrue to the
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SFPL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees from permitted sale and export of
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flora and fauna and other resources from the SFPL, proceeds from the lease of
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multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting
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from the SFPL, and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the
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SFPL
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The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised
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through the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained
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Income Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the
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locality: Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for
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the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the SFPL and
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implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining twenty-five
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percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the General
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Fund of the National Treasury for purposes of financing the projects of the NIPAS.
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The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments from
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various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in
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full as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall
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be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of
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the NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with
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existing accounting, budgeting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further,
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That the fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.
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The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated
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herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, property tax
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and rentals of LGUs' facilities.
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ARTICLE IV
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately
10


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include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of
2 
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 12. Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law. - The provisions of
4 
Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have
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suppletory application to this Act.
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Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
7 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with the
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local governments of the Municipality of San Francisco, the provincial government of
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Quezon, and concerned national government agencies, issue rules and regulations
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for the effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act is held
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unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
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shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
18 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation
Approved,
11