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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 8765

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The municipality of Loon in the province of Bohol, consisting of 67 barangays,
has been bestowed with rich marine paradise, natural lakes, waterfalls and mangrove
gardens, among others. The Cabilao and Sandingan islands, located in Loon, are
considered favorite tourist destinations. With the development of an international cruise
port in Catagbacan, Loon is viewed as an emerging giant of Bohol’s eco-cultural tourism
industry.

The entire islands of Cabilao (766 hectares) and Sandigan (569 hectares) were
proclaimed as Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves under Proclamation No. 2152 in 1981.
This was confirmed upon the passage of Republic Act 7586, or the National Integrated
Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

However, only the barangay of Canigaan and a portion of Calayugan of
Sandingan Island and Lake Danao in Barangay Pantudlan of Cabilao Island have actual
mangroves worthy to be protected and covered under the NIPAS Act. A big percentage
of these islands remain agricultural, residential and with very few commercial
establishments. These islands have remained idle and unproductive for a long time,
once reclassified, will open the opportunity for tourism, business and economic
developments. These islands, like Panglao, will undoubtedly be hailed as one of the
world’s famous tourist destinations and another addition to Philippines’ pride once
developed as it boasts of beautiful diving spots sought after by diving enthusiasts.
Panglao is among the disestablished islands under the NIPAS Act.

Section 5 (4) of the NIPAS Act mandates that within three (3) years from the
effectivity, the DENR shall study and review each area composing the system as to its
suitability or non-suitability for preservation as protected area. However, more than
twenty (20) years had elapsed, the DENR has yet to submit a study and a review on the
suitability or non-suitability of the two (2) islands to be included in the system.


With the steady influx of tourists to these areas in recent years, demands for
transportation and accomodation complete with facilities must be met. Thus, it is the
desire of the local government that the inclusion of these islands under the NIPAS Act
be modified and limited to mangrove areas and natural lakes where migratory birds are
seen and unique species of fish are found. This will allow development of the area and
the improvement of transportation to the benefit of the constituents and tourists.

Under the NIPAS Act, disestablishment of a protected area under the System or
modification of its boundary shall take effect pursuant to an Act of Congress. Hence, this
proposed legislation seeks to exclude certain portions of the islands of Cabilao and
Sandingan from the coverage of protected areas under the NIPAS Act and to lift the ban
in the titling of lots of the two islands which is greatly disadvantageous to the lot owners,
prejudicial to the welfare of its constituents, and counterproductive to the economic
development of the islands.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is sought.

if

REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. __ 8765

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

“AN ACT
RECLASSIFYING CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND
LOCATED AT THE ISLANDS OF CABILAO AND SANDINGAN IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LOON, PROVINCE OF BOHOL, INTO ALIENABLE AND
DISPOSABLE LANDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Reclassification of Certain Parcels of Land. — Certain
portions of the islands of Cabilao and Sandingan with total areas of Seven Hundred
Sixty Six Hectares (766 has) and Five Hundred Sixty Nine hectares (569 has),
respectively, in the municipality of Loon, Province of Bohol, are hereby excluded from
the coverage of protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586, or the the National
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, thereby, declaring the same
agricultural land open to alienation and disposition for agricultural, residential,
commercial, industrial or other productive purposes.

SECTION 2. Correct Delineation of the Protected Areas in the Islands
of Cabilao and Sandingan. - The inclusion of these islands under the NIPAS Act
will therefor be modified and limited to the actual mangrove areas and the natural lake
where migratory birds are seen and unique species of fish are found.

SEC. 3. Final Survey and Distribution. — The final survey, delineation and
distribution of the parcel of land subject of this Act shall be undertaken by the DENR.

SEC. 4. Protection of Ecological Balance. — The area described in Section
1 hereof is hereby excluded from the coverage of Section 16, areas needed for forest
purposes, of RA 7586, as amended: Provided, however, That the removal of timber and
other forest products and the utilization of other natural resources in the said parcel of
land and throughout the Islands of Cabilao and Sandingan shall not in any way
prejudice the ecological balance in the island, and shall be subject to forest, water and
other environmental protection laws, rules and regulations: Provided, moreover, That


the island’s existing mangrove forests and the twenty (20)-meter protection zone along
the coastal area and the banks of rivers and streams throughout their entire length,
which shall be surveyed and delineated by the DENR on the ground, shall retain their
classification as forestland, subject to the easement of public use in the interest of
recreation, navigation, flotage, fishing and salvage.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months
from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. The
provisions of the Public Land Act pertaining to the distribution of public lands and the
issuance of land titles, insofar as they are not inconsistent herewith, shall apply.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any part or section of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect in any manner the other parts or
sections of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, proclamations or issuances
contrary to of inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,