Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse BILL No. 2815

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, [locos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act 7586, known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)
Act of 1992, subsequently amended by RA 11038, titled the Expanded National Integrated
Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018, empowers the government to designate certain
areas as protected areas, regulate human activities within these areas, and implement
conservation and management programs in recognition of the substantial impact of human
activities on various environmental facets. This is in pursuit of the constitutional mandate to
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and harmony of nature.

Factors such as population growth, resource utilization, and industrial development
highlight the imperative to protect and preserve natural ecosystems, particularly in regions with
unique biophysical characteristics crucial to the well-being and progress of human, plant, and
animal life. The goal is to ensure the preservation of unique ecosystems, species, and

landscapes for the benefit of current and future generations.

Hence, this bill.

This proposed measure seeks to include the Metropolitan locos Norte Watershed
Forest Reserve (MINWER) in the province of Ilocos Norte, under the NIPAS.

Established through Presidential Proclamation No. 731, s. 1934, the 2,482-hectare
MINWFR is a distinctive landscape characterized by stunted century-old trees, predominantly


of Podocarpus species. The area also encompasses various cave systems, ultramafic forests,
and forests over limestone. Moreover, it serves as the primary water source for the municipality
and supports a diverse range of biological resources, including endangered and threatened

species.

These underscore the ecological significance of MINWER, emphasizing the importance
of putting MINWER under NIPAS. This bill will establish a policy framework for the
institutionalized conservation and protection of the landscape, ensuring its ecological
significance is upheld through proficient and effective management in accordance with RA
7586 as amended by RA 11038. :

In view hereof, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 2815

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS:
1* District, Hocos Norte

AN ACT
DECLARING AND DESIGNATING METROPOLITAN ILOCOS NORTE
WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE, SITUATED WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
PASUQUIN IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE AS A PROTECTED AREA
UNDER THE CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE PURSUANT TO THE
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO BE
REFERRED TO AS THE PASUQUIN 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 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as the “Pasuquin Protected
Landscape (PPL) Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.—Recognizing the profound impact of human activities
on various components of the natural environment, especially the consequences arising from
population growth, resource exploitation, and industrial advancement, and acknowledging the
critical importance of safeguarding and preserving the natural, biological, and physical
diversities of the environment, particularly in areas characterized by unique features essential
for sustaining human life and development, as well as the well-being of plant and animal life,
it is hereby declared as the policy of the State to ensure, for the benefit of the Filipino people,
both present and future generations, the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals
through the establishment of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas
System (NIPAS).

In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, encompassing both flora and
fauna, native and distinct to the area, as well as their ecological importance, a parcel of land in
the municipality of Pasuquin in the Province of Hlocos Norte, covering Metropolitan Ilocos
Norte Watershed Forest Reserve (MINWER), is hereby declared a protected area with the
designation of a protected landscape, and henceforth shall be referred to as the Pasuquin
Protected Landscape (PPL). As such, the State assumes the responsibility for ensuring the
conservation, protection, and management of the said area. Furthermore, it is acknowledged


that effective administration of this area is achievable only through collaborative efforts
involving the national government, local government units (LGUs), concemed non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), private entities, and local communities. The utilization
and enjoyment of this area must be in conformity with the principles of biological diversity and
sustainable development.

Towards this end, the State shall ensure the comprehensive implementation of this Act,
the mobilization of resources to support the institutional mechanisms herein established, and
the provision of complete scientific and technical support necessary for the conservation of
biodiversity and the preservation of the integrity of ecosystems, culture, and indigenous
practices.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. —As used in this Act:

(@) Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms
from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic
ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes
diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems;

(b) Buffer zones refers to identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately
adjacent to protected areas that need special development control in order to avoid
or minimize harm to the protected area;

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

(d) Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC)/Indigenous People (IP) refers to a group 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;

(e) 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;

(f) Protected area refers to identified portions of land and/or water set aside by reason
of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological
diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation;

(g) Protected landscapes refer to areas of national significance which are characterized
by the harmonious interaction of man and land and water while providing
opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation, tourism, and other economic
activities;

(h) 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.


wervauneenn

10

Sec. 4. Classification as a National Park. —All lands of the public domain within the
coverage and scope of PPL shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for
in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution. Further, alienable and disposable lands covered
by the protected area shall retain its original classification, subject to the provisions of Section
22 of RA 11038.

SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. —The boundaries of PPL is more particularly described as the
area beginning at a point marked “1” on the Map, being N 59°14°57"E, 402.65 meters from
PRS92 Control Monument “ILN-3315” with geographic coordinates 18° 21° 7.10333”
Latitude, 120° 37° $5.22481” Longitude located at Barangay Sulbec, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte,

thence N53-14-46W 42.903 meters to comer
thence _N57-55-34W 610.578 meters to comer
thence N 4-22-49 W 488.85 meters to comer
thence N68-12-0W 576.384 meters to comer
thence N37-22-51W 679.923 meters to comer
thence N44-45-0W 506.847 meters to comer
thence N43-51-19W —36.494._——_—meters to comer
thence N47-13-34W 592.416 _ meters to comer
thence N63-52-7E 682.44 meters to comer
thence N7-22-45 E 616.954 meters to comer
thence N7-45-16W 238.138 meters to comer
thence N89-31-31E ‘135.333. meters to comer
thence N89-29-28E 527.834 __ meters to comer
thence N0-30-41 W ——_—1082.709__ meters to comer
thence —-§ $4-12-40 E 195.368 meters to comer
thence —_-§ 62-19-45 E 73.794 meters to comer
thence .N79-38-33E 106.488 meters to comer
thence N87-30-3E 579.818 meters to comer
thence N89-15-24E 509.427 meters to comer

FDBWPLY

thence —-$ 7-19-16 E 219.087 meters to comer
thence 5-51-12 W 222.687 meters to comer
thence $ 6-17-43 E 253.143 meters to comer
thence N73-6-36E 74.972 meters to comer

thence 17-10-48 W 637.315 meters to comer
thence N-79-28-47W 491.089 __meters to comer

thence $ 41-25-27 W 385.03 meters to comer
thence $ 82-38-37E ——-561.233__meters to comer
thence $.44-58-15 W 68.716 meters to comer
thence ——-$ 28-1-6 W 813.719 meters to comer
thence $51-9-35 W 791.023 meters to comer

thence  $57-58-18W 596.481 meters to corner
thence  $20-19-37W 332.778 _—_—meters to comer
thence 60-54 W 1743.635__ meters to comer
thence  N61-57-6W 520.814 meters to comer
thence N61-8-31W 273.109 meters to comer
thence N89-38-10W 94.192 meters to comer



thence —-N'1-36-19 W 114.855 meters tocomer 38;
thence S$ 68-50-19W 284.999 meters tocomer 39;
thence $ 42-27-36 W 297.041 _— meters tocomer 40;
thence $ 41-33-51 W 230.693 meters tocomer 41;
thence S6-58-8E 153.88 meterstocomer 42;
thence § 37-50-8 W 502.994 meterstocomer 43;
thence -N75-8-38W 449.018 meters tocomer_ 1,

the point of beginning containing an area of two thousand four hundred eighty-two (2,482)
hectares, more or less. Bearings and distance of lines were derived using PRS92, Philippine
Zone III coordinate system, subject to actual gound demarcation.

SEC. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones—The Secretary of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the Protected Area
Management Board (PAMB) created under Section 7 of this Act, may designate areas
surrounding the PPL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing 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 design their development
with due consideration to the protected area management plan.

ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS:

Sec. 7. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)—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 PPL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:

(a) The DENR Regional Executive Director for Region 1, as Chairperson;

(b) The Governor of the Province of locos Norte, or his/her duly designated
representative;

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

(d) The Representative of the Congressional District of locos Norte where PPL is
located, or his/her duly designated representative, unless the District Representative
declines the membership in the PAMB;

(e) The Mayor of the municipality of Pasuquin, or hishher duly designated
representative;

(0) The Punong Barangay of each barangay with territorial jurisdiction over PPL;

(g) The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director for Region 1, or
his/her designated official representative;

(h) The Regional Director, or a designated official representative, of the following
‘government agencies for Region 1, namely: the Department of National Defense -
Office of Civil Defense (DND-OCD), the National Economic Development
Authority (NEDA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST);

(i) Three (3) representatives from either non-government organizations (NGO) or
People’s Organizations (PO), duly accredited both by the DENR and the provincial
government. The NGO or PO represented should have been in existence for at least
five (5) years and with track record in or related to protected area management;


(j) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the ICCs/IPs
present in the area and recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (NCIP);

(k) One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a university or
college in the Province of Ilocos Norte, with a record of accomplishment in or
related to protected area management and biodiversity conservation; and

(V) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of locos Norte,
who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest relevant to PPL management.

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

(a) Oversee the management of the PPL;

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

(©) Approve the management plan of PPL and ensure its harmonization and integration
with the Ancestral Domains Sustainable Development and Protection Plan
(ADSDPP), land use plan and other development plans, public or private, and its
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;

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

(® Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan, and
‘manage PPL Protected Area Retention Income Account (PARIA) 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;

() Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other goverment
authorities;

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

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

(D) Assess the effectiveness of the management of PPL: Provided, That the members
of the management board representing the LGUs and national agencies in the
PAMB 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 its implementing rules and
regulations 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 Executive
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 or national application, the latter shall prevail.

Sec. 9. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO).—There is hereby
established a PAMO to be headed by a Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) with a
permanent plantilla position who shall supervise the day to day management, protection and
administration of PPL. A sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions
shall likewise be appointed by the DENR 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 PPL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the following
duties and responsibilities:

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

(©) 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;

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

(© Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the protected area, 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 PPL;

(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 PPL;

(i) Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management plan and
other permitted activities in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria
established by the PAMB: Provided, That all permits for extraction of natural
resources, including collection of wildlife, and its by-products or derivatives for
research purposes, shall 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 receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for the
protected area: 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 PPL based on the management plan; and,

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


The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and natural
resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR.

ARTICLE IIL
PROCEEDS AND FEES

SEC. 10. The Pasuquin Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund. —
There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Pasuquin Protected Landscape
Integrated Protected Area Fund (PPL-IPAF) for purposes of financing projects of the PPL and
the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation of the system or management of wild
flora and fauna in the PPL shall accrue to PPL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees
from visitors/tourists, permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other allowable use of
resources from the protected area, proceeds from Special Use in Protected Area (SAPA) in
multiple-use zone for tourism concessions, communication and transmission facilities, power
generation projects, large scale agriculture and aquaculture enterprise and other contributions
from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the protected area, and other fees and
income derived from the operation of PPL.

The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through the
above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area Retained Income Account (PA-
RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the locality: Provided, That
disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for the protection, maintenance,
administration, and management of PPL and implementation of duly approved projects of the
PAMB. The remaining twenty-five percent (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, endowment from various sources,
domestic or foreign for purposes related to their functions. Provided, That the fund shall be
deposited as a special account in the national treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be
made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of the PPL, and
duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting and
budgeting rules and regulations: Provided, further, That no amount shall be disbursed for the
operating expenses of the Department and other concemed agencies.

The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein
which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, property tax and rentals 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 Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law. —The provisions of Republic Act
No. 7586, as amended by the Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppletory application 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 the local
government of the municipality of Pasuquin, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, 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,