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THtRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
} 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHlLtPPlNES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
(In substitution of S. No. 2050) 
~ ~~~~~~~
Prepared jointly by the Commitfees on Environment and Natural Resources, and Finance, with Senator Cayetano 
and members of the Committees as authors 
-__---____-------------------------------------------------------------------------..----
AN ACT 
DECLARING TURTLE ISLANDS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TURTLE ISLANDS, 
AREAS AS BUFFER ZONES, PROVIDING FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
PROVINCE OF TAWI-TAW1 AS PROTECTED AREA AND THEIR PERIPHERAL 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Turtle Islands Wildlife 
Sanctuary Protected Area Act of 2006. 
SEC. 2. Land Classification. - All lands of the public domain comprising the 
Turtle Islands Protected Area shall fall under the classification of National Park as 
provided for in the Philippine Constitution. However, public lands already classified as 
agricultural and alienable or disposable prior to the passage of this Act shall remain as 
such and may be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141 
or the Public Land Act, as amended. 
SEC. 3. Scope. - The Turtle Islands Protected Area hereby known as Turtle 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS) shall cover the islands of Taganak, Langaan, Boan, 
Lihiman, Great Bakkungan, Baguan Island and Sibaung within the Municipality of Turtle 
Islands in the Province of Tawi-Tawi, including the municipal waters thereof pursuant to 
the law on territorial waters, containing a total area of more or less two hundred forty- 
two thousand nine hundred sixty-seven (242,967) hectares, three hundred eighteen 
(318) hectares of which constitute the aggregate land portion of the six islands while the 
remaining two hundred forty two thousand six hundred forty-nine (242, 649) hectares 
constitute the marine portion and to include a total area of sixty eight thousand seven 
hundred forty seven and point eighty three (968, 747. 83) hectares marine portion as 
buffer zones. 
The Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary begins at a point marked “1” on the map 
which is to identical to corner 1 of the existing International treaty limits with coordinates 


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06"OO'oo" latitude and 118"37'47.83 longitude based from P4AMRIA Map of Balabac 
Strait No. 4720, Cybersoft Inc.; 
Thence Due West 
32,349.00 meters 
to corner2; 
Thence N 52" 00'00" W 
51,840.00 meters 
to corner 3; 
Thence Due North 
21,840.00 meters 
to corner4; 
Thence Due East 
14,400.00 meters 
to corner 5; 
Thence S 53" 27'49.5 E 
17,394.45 meters 
to comer 6; 
Thence S 85" 2407.9"E 
17,921.65 meters 
to corner 7; 
Thence S 71" 26'46.2E 
8, 518.67 meters 
to corner 8; 
Thence S 52" 27'48.2" E 20, 990.33 meters 
to corner 9; 
Thence S 15" 20'38.4 E 
8,461.24 meters 
to corner 10; 
Thence Due South 
17, 500.00 meters 
to corner 1 
A 15-Kilometer distance reckoned from the shoreline of each of the islands is 
extended to form the protected area boundary within the Philippine waters. 
The technical descriptions of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary shall be subject to 
actual ground survey using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Marine buoys shall be 
established on the corners as protected area boundary markers. 
SEC. 4. Definifion of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows: 
a) "Protected Area" - refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by 
reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance 
biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation; 
b) "Buffer Zone" - identified area outside the boundaries of an immediately 
adjacent to designated protected areas pursuant to Section 8 of NIPAS Act of I992 that 
need special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected 
area; 
c) "Wildlife Sanctuary" - an area which assures the natural conditions necessary 
to protect nationally significant species, group of species, biotic communities or physical 
feature of the environment where these may require specific human manipulation for 
their perpetuation; 
d) "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)" - is the classification 
and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological 
processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable 
use of resource found therein, and maintain their natural conditions to the greatest 


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extent possible"; and 
e) "National Park" - refers to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness 
character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of 
exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such 
exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery,, the natural and historic 
objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoy,ment of these features in 
such areas. 
SEC. 5. Administrative and Managemenf Sysfem - The Turtle Islands Wildlife 
Sanctuary is hereby placed under the control and administration of the DENR. To carry 
out the mandate of this Act, the DENR Secretary is empowered to perform any and all 
of the following acts: 
a) To conduct studies on various characteristics, features and conditions of the 
different protected area, using commonalities in their characteristics, classify and define 
them into categories and prescribe permissible or prohibit human activities in each 
category in the System; 
b) To adopt and enforce a land-use scheme and zoning plan in adjoining areas 
for the preservation and control of activities that may threaten the ecological balance in 
the protected area; 
c) To cause the preparation of and exercise the power to review all plans and 
proposals for the management of protected areas; 
d) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act; 
e) To deputize field officers and delegate any of his powers under this Act and 
9 To enter into contract andlor agreements with private entities or public 
agi3ncies' as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act upon the 
recommendation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB); 
other laws to expedite its implementation and enforcement; 
g) To approve administrative fees and fines as recommended by PAMB pursuant 
to Section 21 of the NIPAS Act for violations of guidelines, rules and regulations of this 
Act as would endanger the viability of protected areas: 
h) To accept in the name of this Philippine Government and in behalf of NIPAS 
funds, gifts or bequests of money for immediate disbursements or other property in the 
interest of NIPAS, its activities, or its services; 
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i) To call on any agency or instrumentality of the Government as well as 


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academic institutions, non-government organizations and the private sector as may be 
necessary to accomplish the objectives and activities of the systern; 
j) To submit an annual report to the President of the Phili&ines and to Congress 
.on the states of the protected areas; 
k) To establish a uniform marker for the system, includirig an appropriate and 
distinctive symbol for each category in the system, in consultation with appropriate 
government agencies in public and private organizations; 
I) To approve the specification of the class, type and style of building and other 
structure to be constricted on protected areas and the materials to be used upon 
PAMB's recommendation: and 
m) To perform such other functions as may be directed by the President of the 
Philippines, and to do such acts may be necessary or incidental to the accomplishment 
,of the purpose and objectives of the system. 
Sec. 6. The Turtle Island Witdlife Sanctuaty Protected Area Management Board. 
- A Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
shall be created to be composed of the following: 
Regional Executive Director (RED) as Chairman; 
One (1) representative from the DENR - Autonomous Region in Muslim 
Provincial Planning and development Office (PPDO) - member; 
One (1) representative from Municipal Government - member: 
Representative from NGO selected among themselves - members; 
Representatives from People's Organizations (PO) selected among themselves - 
Mindanao as Vice-chairman; 
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members; 
One (1) representative from each tribal community - member; 
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One (1) representative fro other government agencies, if necessary - member;' 
One (1) representative from the academe if necessary - member; 
The RED may delegate the chairmanship to the Regional Technical Director 
(RTD). 
The Board shall, by a majority vote, approve or take necessary action to: 
a) Decide allocation for budget 
b) Approve proposals for funding 
b.1) Detailed proposals for livelihood programs not exceeding 100, 000 would be 
prepared by NGO field staff beginning in the first year of implementation, screened by 


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loan officer in Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and approved by PAMB. The basis 
for the approval is the subject guidelines to be approved by the IAPF Governing Board; 
b.2) Proposal either for livelihood subgrant or subloan,ghall endorsed by the 
PAMB to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) Governing'Board for prioritization 
and approval: and 
b.3) Development of alternative livelihood activities by NGOs should be under the 
guidance of the PAMB. 
c) Decide matters relating to planning, peripheral or resource protection and 
general administration of the area in accordance with the General Management 
Planning Strategy (GMPS); and 
c.1) Approve the delineation and demarcation of the protected area boundaries, 
buffer zone, ancestral domains and recognize the right and privileges of indigenous 
communities under the provision of this Act. 
c.1.1) The PAMB and the PASU shall exercise authority over the buffer zones in 
behalf of the DENR in cooperation with NGOs and other government agencies. 
Management and land use practices for buffer zones shall be prescribed with the 
PAMB. 
c.l.2) When claim of ancestral domain is established following the procedures 
identified in Section 46 of DAO No. 25, the Secretary shall direct the delineation and 
demarcation of the same by concerned DENR offices in coordination with PAMB 
c.l.3) The evaluation of ancestral domain claims shall follow the procedures set 
forth in DAO 2, S 1993. The PAMB, in coordination with Indigenous community Affairs 
Division (ICAD) of the DENR and other concerned groups, shall undertake this 
evaluation. 
c.1.4) The PAMB shall evaluate the evidences in support of tenured migrants 
status for the granting of tenurial instruments. 
c.2) Promulgate rules and regulations to promote development programs and 
projects on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development consistent with the 
management manual of the protected area, ensuring that the management plan 
provides livelihood benefits for local residents. 
c.3) Control and regulate the construction and maintenance of roads, trails, 
waterworks, sewerage, fire protection and sanitation system and other public utilities 
within protected area. 
c.4) Ensure the implementation of programs as prescribed in the management 
!:!a ,
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plan in order to proved employment to the people dwelling in and around the protected 
area. 
c.4.1) The Management manual shall be drafted with assistanlce of the experts in 
such fields as socio-economic planning, ecology and protected area management, 
reviewed and endorsed by the PAMB, approved by the Secretary. 
c.5) Resolve with oversight by DENR the assistance from NGOs, conflicts 
between livelihood and protection needs of the communities and protected area, 
respectively. Thus, zoning and regulatory approach would applied within the framework 
of negotiations among all parties, to rapidly curtail and phase out livelihood activities 
which are not compatible with the management objectives. 
c.6) Monitor and evaluate the performance of the protected area personnel, 
NGOs and the communities in providing for biodiversity conservation and socio-cultural 
and economic development and report their assessment to the NPSC and IPAF 
Governing Board. 
c.6.1) PASu shall submit statement of amounts collected during the preceding 
quarter within the first 15 days of each quarter to the PAMB, who in turn shall submit 
the same NPPSC thru the PAWB, with an extra copu for the Secretary. 
c.7) Exercise regulatory functions for prohibited acts inside the protected area. 
An Executive Committee (Execom) shall be created for the PAMB to be 
RTD R-9 of Tawi-Tawi as chairman 
Provincial Planning and Development officer (PPDO) and or authorized 
composed of the following: 
representative - member 
One (1) representative from other government agency - member 
CENRO Mapun, Tawi-Tawi - member 
One (1) NGO Representative - member 
Protected Areas Superintendent Officer (PASO) 
Sec. 7. Protected Area Office (PAO). - There shall be a protected Area Office 
The Protected Area Superintendent shall be the Chief of DENR Operation Officer 
which shall be situated within the Protected Area. 
at the protected area with the following additional staff: 
One (1) Senior Marine Biologist 
One (1) Junior Marine Biologist 
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One (1) Fishery Officer 


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Fifteen (15) Game Wardens 
Two (2) Utility Workers 
One (1) Patron (Boat crew) 
One (1) Engineman 
One (1) Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Specialist 
One (1) Forester 
One (1) Civil Engineer 
One (1) Marine Researcher 
One (1) Administrative Officer 
One (1) Accountant 
One (1) Radio Operator 
One (1) Geodetic Engineer 
All development activities initiated by the host - NGO in connection with the 
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary projects such as Community Organization shall be 
maintained by the PAMB/DENR after project phase-out by the Host-NGO fulfillment of 
its objectives. 
The DENR shall endeavor to upgrade capabilities in the protection, management 
and development of the protected area with the use of modern equipment and 
technologies. 
SEC. 8. Tenured Migrants. - Any person who has actually and continuously 
occupied an area for five (5) years prior to its designation as part of a protected area in 
accordance with the Section 5 (a) of the NlPAS Act and is solely dependent on that 
area for subsistence shall be considered a tenure migrant. As a tenured migrant he 
shall be eligible to become a steward of a portion of land within the multiple use 
management or buffer zone of the protected area, and from which he may derive 
subsistence. Provided, however, that those migrants who would not qualify for the 
category for tenure shall be resettled in any appropriate multiple zone of the protected 
area. 
The PAMB shall consider the following as evidence in support of tenured migrant 
status: 
a) Cultivated trees at their fruit-bearing stage; 
b) Physical structures in the area indicating prolonged occupancy; 
c) Tax declaration receipts; 
d) Certification from the Barangay Captain or any two members of the nearest 


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community attesting to occupancy; and 
e) Other relevant data (e.g. previous census reports) that may be accepted by 
The DENR shall develop a tenurial instrument consisten4 with the conservation 
goal of IPAS. Such instrument shall be prepared within 12 months from effectivity of the 
Act.. 
The rights, interest and activities of tenured migrants within protected area and 
their adjoining buffer zones shall be governed by the principles of biodiversity 
protectionkonservation and sustainable development and by the guidelines prescribed 
in the General Management Planning Strategy (GMPS) as well as the prohibitions set 
out in Section 20 of the NIPAS Act. Provided, that all plans, policies and guidelines 
affecting tenured migrants shall be developed and implemented in partnership with 
them. 
Sec. 9 Phase Out Scheme of Turtle Egg Collections - In consideration of the 
extraordinary circumstances in the Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, marine turtles, particularly 
those found in the Turtle Islands, shall be excluded from the application of Republic Act 
No. 9147 or the Wildlife Conversation Act until such time that the DENR shall devise 
and set in place a feasible and implementable system of regulating the activities 
referred to in the Wildlife Act within the locality and have buy-in for such in the 
community. Furthermore, that DENR in partnership with the Municipal Government of 
Turtle Islands and the Provincial Governor of Tawi-Tawi to provide for a phase out 
scheme of the Permittee System and alternative mechanisms to replace this income 
the PAMB. 
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loss towaras me graauai implemenrarion OT me VviiaiiTe HCI. 
Sec.10. Existing Facilities Within the PA. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, major existing facilities such as roads, buildings, water systems, 
transmission lines, communication facilities, heavy equipment, and irrigation facilities 
existing within the boundaries of the PA shall submit project description to the PAMB 
through the PASu. 
The PAMB, with the assistance of the DENR, shall determine whether the 
existence of such facility and its future plan and operations will be detrimental to the PA 
or whether conditions for its operation shall be imposed. If any such conditions are 
violated, the owner of the facility shall be liable to pay a fine of Five thousand pesos 
(P5,OOO.OO) for every violation. Upon reaching a total fine of Five hundred thousand 
pesos (P500,000.00), the PAMB through the PASu and deputizing other government 


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entities, shall cause the cessation and demolition of the facility at the cost of its owner. 
Existing facilities allowed to remain within the PA may be chiarged a reasonable 
royalty by the DENR. All income from such royalty shall accrue to tlhe Mt. Hilong-Hilong 
Protected Area Fund. 
SEC. 11. Income Derived from the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary. - 
a. Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Fund - There is hereby established a trust 
fund to be known as Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Fund for purposes of financing 
projects of the Protected Area. The Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary may solicit and 
receive donations, endowments, and grants in the form of contributions, and such 
endowments, and grants in the form of contributions, and such endowments shall be 
exempted from income or gift taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the 
Government or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof. 
All incomes generated from the operation of Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, 
management of wild flora and fauna shall accrue to the fund may be utilized directly by 
the DENR for the above purpose. These incomes shall be derived from. 
Proceeds from lease of multiple-use areas; 
Contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the Turtle Islands 
area; and 
'Such other fees and incomes derived from the operation of the protected area. 
Disbursements from the fund shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, 
administration, and management of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, and duly 
approved projects endorsed by the PAMB. 
b. Fund Administration - The PAMB shall promulgate guidelines in the 
administration of funds and approved by the DENR Secretary. 
Special Prosecutor and Retained Counsel. - Within thirty (30) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJS shall appoint a special 
prosecutor to whom all cases of violation of laws, rules and regulations in the PA shall 
be assigned. Such Special Prosecutor shall coordinate with the PAMB and the PASu in 
the performance of hislher duties and assist in the training of wardens and rangers in 
arrest and criminal procedures. The PAMB may retain the services of a counsel to 
prosecute andlor assist in the prosecution of cases under the direct control and 
supervision of the regular or special prosecutor and to defend the members of the 
PAMB, the PASu and the staff, or any person assisting in the protection, conservation 
and sustainable development of the PA, against any legal action related to their powers, 
SEC. 12. 
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functions and responsibilities as provided in this Act or as delegated or tasked by the 
PAMB. 
SEC. 13. Prohibifed Acts. - The following acts are prohibited in Turtle Islands 
a) Hunting, destroying, disturbing or mere possession of' any plants or animals: 
b) Dumping of any waste products detriment to the protected area, or to the 
c) Use of any motorized equipment and vehicles within prohibited area without a 
d) Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of 
e) Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition; 
f) Squatting, mineral locating, or otherwise occupying any land; 
g) Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, 
h) Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or deposing in 
i) Altering, removing, destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs; 
j) Illegal fishing (e.g. use of trawl, electrical gadget, poison, dynamite, super light 
k) Extraction of flora and fauna; and 
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Entry without permit for campers, divers, spelunkers, studykesearch 
, .' 
Wildlife Sanctuary: 
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derived there from without a permit from the Management Board; 
plants and animals or inhabitants therein; 
permit from the Management Board; 
interest to cultural communities (of scenic value): 
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conducting any business enterprise without a permit; 
ground or in bodies of water; 
etc.); 
groupslindividuals, and visitors/tourists. 
the PAMB shall authorized to impose corresponding administrative penalties. 
However, in order to punish destructive activities that have not been anticipated 
Penalties. -,Any person who violates this Act or any rules and 
regulations issued by the department pursuant to this Act and found guilty by a 
compefent court of any of the offenses in the preceding section shall be fined in the 
amount of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PlO, 000) nor more than Five Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (P500, 000) exclusive of the values of the thing damaged or 
imprisonment for not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, or both, as 
determined by the court: Provided, That the court shall order the eviction of the offender 
from the land and the forfeiture of the Government of all minerals, timber or any species 
ti 
SEC. 14. 


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collected or removed including all equipment, devices and firearmis used in connection 
therewith, and any construction or improvement made thereon by the offender. If the 
offender is an association or corporation, the president or manaiger shall be directly 
responsible for the act of hidher employees and laborers: Provided, finally, that the 
DENR may impose fines and penalties of violations not coveredib y existing regulations' 
and subject for review by the DENR. 
SEC. 15. Reporting Responsibi/ify. -The PASu, through the PAMB, shall submit 
an annual accomplishment report to the Secretary of the DENR on the activities 
undertaken in the PA. 
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SEC. 16. Appropriafions. -The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the budget of the Department of Natural Resources in the 
'annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 17. Construction and Suppletory Application of Existing Laws. The 
provisions of this Act shall be construed liberally in favor of achieving biodiversity 
conservation, protection and sustainable development Provisions of Republic Act No. 
7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas Management Act of 
1992 and existing forestry laws, and their corresponding rules and regulations not 
inconsistent hereto shall have the suppletory effect in the implementation of this Act.. 
SEC. 18. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or sections hereof. 
SEC. 19. Repeahg Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations inconsistent with any provisions of this Act shall be deemed 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general 
circulation available in the PA. This Act shall be translated in a dialect known in the PA 
by the DENR within thirty (30) days from approval hereof and 'shall be posted for three 
consecutive weeks in conspicuous place in the provincial, municipal and barangay halls 
within the PA as well as in three other public places frequented by the public. 
SEC. 20. 
Approved,