1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On January 29, 1988, President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 212, 
“Establishing Palompon Watershed Forest Reserve (PWFR)” situated in the Municipalities of 
Palompon, Matag-ob and Villaba in the Province of Leyte, setting a parcel of land for watershed 
and other ecological enhancement purposes. Historically, the PWFR has been the site of many 
government-supported environmental programs and initiatives such as the Upland Development 
Program (UDP), DBP Forest Watershed Rehabilitation Project and the National Greening Program 
(NGP).  
The Revised Forestry Code (PD 705) defines a ’watershed’ as a ‘land area drained by a 
stream or fixed body of water and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface run-off.’ On 
the other hand, ‘forest reservation’ is defined as, ‘forest lands which have been reserved by the 
President of the Philippines for any specific purpose or purposes.’ Moreover, pursuant to Section 
5 (a) of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 or RA 7686, as amended by 
RA 11038, the PWFR, is designated an ‘initial component of the NIPAS System,’ by virtue of 
Presidential 
Proclamation 
No. 
212. 
The PWFR’s eco-systemic role is critical to the irrigation of the lowland areas of Barangays 
San Isidro, San Juan, Sabang, San Miguel, and other barangays including rice fields of Tabunok. 
The PWFR is also the source of bulk water supply to the Water Administration and Services of 
Hinablayan (WASH), a public utility owned and operated by the Municipality of Palompon, which 
provides water to at least 30 barangays including its town center. As a water resource, the PWFR 
provides support to other domestic requirements of the populace, and affords ecosystem services 
and environmental benefits including water quality, erosion and flood control, carbon 
sequestration, community livelihoods, and ecotourism opportunities.  
August 27, 2025
11:40 am
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However, despite the PWFR’s indisputable contributions to the water ecosystem services 
of the surrounding areas at large, the PWFR remains vulnerable and accessible to economic 
activities that degrade the source of water that supports the surrounding barangays, municipalities 
and perhaps even influence the hydrologic systems in areas as far as Ormoc City. 
Most recently, there have been environmentally damaging activities reportedly conducted 
in the environs of the PWFR. As far back as November, 2020, residents of Barangay San Joaquin 
in Palompon, have formally complained about illegal dumping of production waste from a high-
volume chicken dressing plant, within and around the PWFR, and in January 2024, tons of 
industrial poultry wastes were unearthed and excavated by the DENR regional office inside the 
PWFR. It was reported by DENR that several land titles were issued in areas inside the PWFR..  
Additionally, a portion of the forestland, illegally issued with land title in Lat-Osan, Palompon has 
been re-zoned as Industrial Zone, and is presently utilized as a poultry farm containing large-scale 
facilities with a 98,000 chicken capacity. As of May 2025, the DENR and the OSD have filed a 
case before the proper court to cancel the title and revert back the land to the government. 
On top of this, the territorial maps of the PWFR have been mis-rendered on various 
occasions as reflected in the existing  Palompon CLUP. This ambiguity gave way to re-zoning of 
areas from forestland to industrial use. Moreover, Proclamation 212 declares, in a note on its 
attached Map W.R.-67, that ‘All certified Alienable or Disposable Blocks are deemed excluded 
from the operation of the Watershed Forest Reserve,” meaning that the watershed only covers the 
forestland area, which is approximately only 20% of the entire 2,392 hectares designated as the 
PWFR. It must be noted that sometime in January 2023, the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) 
conducted a field survey and mapping of the PWFR, with the validation report and maps submitted 
to the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in October 2023 for 
their review and consideration, and the technical description of which, resulting from the ground 
validation of the PWFR boundary, may change and revise the metes and bounds of the PWFR 
defined 
under 
Proclamation 
212, 
as 
herein 
provided. 
It is very clear that this critical watershed forest needs to be protected as part of the National 
Integrated 
Protected 
Areas 
System 
(NIPAS). 
In view of the foregoing, the swift approval of this bill, seeking the declaration of the area 
known as the Palompon Watershed Forest Reserve, as a NIPAS protected area, to be known as the 
Palompon Protected Landscape, is earnestly sought.   
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
PALOMPON, MATAG-OB, AND VILLABA IN THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE, A 
PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE 
UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO 
BE REFERRED TO AS THE PALOMPON 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 I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Palompon Protected 
Landscape Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Cognizant of the profound impact of human activities 
on all components of the natural environment, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure 
for the Filipino people of present and future generations, the perpetual existence of all native plants 
and animals through the declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected 
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Areas System (NIPAS) within the classification of national park as provided for in the 
Constitution. 
 
In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and fauna, that are 
native and distinct to Palompon, Matag-ob and Villaba, as well as their aesthetic and ecological 
importance, a parcel of land located in the municipalities  of Palompon, Matag-ob and Villaba in 
the Province of Leyte, and covering the Palompon Watershed Forest Reserve, is hereby declared 
a protected area with the category of protected landscape, and shall hereinafter be referred to as 
the Palompon Protected Landscape (PPL). As such, the State shall ensure the conservation, 
protection, management and rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that effective 
administration of this area is possible only through cooperation among national government, local 
government units (LGUs), concerned nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private entities and 
local communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the principles of 
biological 
diversity 
and 
sustainable 
development. 
 
Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the 
mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the full scientific 
and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and the integrity of the 
ecosystems, 
culture 
and 
indigenous 
practices. 
 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act: 
a. Biodiversity - shall refer to the variety and variability among all living organisms and the 
ecological 
complexities 
in 
which 
they 
occur. 
 
b. Biological resources - shall include genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, 
population or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or 
value 
for 
humanity. 
 
c. Buffer zones - refer to identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent 
to designated protected areas that need special development control in order to avoid or 
minimize 
harm 
to 
the 
protected 
area; 
 
d. Conservation - refers to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable utilization of 
wildlife 
or 
maintenance, 
restoration 
and 
enhancement 
of 
habitats; 
 
e. National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) - shall refer to 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 resources found therein and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent 


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possible. 
 
f. NIPAS Act - refers to the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 
1992 or Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by RA No. 11038, and its implementing rules 
and 
regulations. 
 
g. 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; 
 
h. 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; 
 
i. Protected landscape - refers to an area of national significance, which are characterized 
by the harmonious interaction of human, land, and water while providing opportunities for 
public enjoyment through recreation, tourism, and other economic activities; 
 
j. Special-use zones - shall refer to areas containing existing installations of national and 
local significance, such as telecommunication facilities, irrigation canals, water supply 
infrastructure 
or 
electric 
power 
lines; 
 
k. Sustainable - shall refer to the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a 
rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining 
its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of the present and future generations.; 
 
l. Strict protection zones - shall refer to natural areas with high biodiversity value which 
shall be closed to all human activity except for scientific studies .and ceremonial or 
religious use by the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples; may include 
habitats of threatened species, or degraded areas that have been designated for restoration 
and subsequent protection, even if these areas are still in various stages of regeneration; 
 
m. 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; 
and 
 
n. Zones - shall refer to the divisions within the PPL consisting of levels of protection and 
permitted use of natural resources such as strict protection zone, sustainable-use zone, 
restoration zone, multiple-use zone and special-use zone, as provided under existing rules 


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and 
regulations 
of 
the 
NIPAS. 
 
SEC. 4. Land Classification as a National Park. — The PPL is comprised of a parcel of 
land of the public domain located in the municipalities of Palompon, Matag-ob and Villaba in the 
Province of Leyte, and covering the proclaimed Palompon Watershed Forest Reserve. All lands 
within the coverage and scope of the PPL shall fall under the classification of national park as 
provided 
for 
in 
Article 
XII, 
SEC. 
3 
of 
the 
Constitution. 
 
SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. — The boundaries of the PPL are more particularly 
described as the area beginning at a point marked "1" on S89-31-22E; 2,457.06 meters from PRS 
Control Monument ”LYT-3199” (11°03′58.01277 N Latitude, 124°22’43.14507 E” Longitude) 
located 
in 
Barangay 
San 
Juan, 
Palompon, 
Leyte; 
 
Thence N 29-57-24 E, 861.06 meters to corner 2; 
Thence N 71-23-09 E, 450.05 meters to corner 3; 
Thence S 87-26-02 E, 695.53 meters to corner 4; 
Thence S 87-26-02 E, 268.47 meters to corner 5; 
Thence N 43-13-58 E, 150.51 meters to corner 6; 
Thence N 14-04-17 E, 275.28 meters to corner 7; 
Thence N 26-36-50 W, 200.02 meters to corner 8; 
Thence N 00-23-10 E, 200.02 meters to corner 9; 
Thence N 16-37-11 W, 350.41 meters to corner 10; 
Thence N 01-13-42 W, 254.55 meters to corner 11; 
Thence N 29-36-49 W, 139.86 meters to corner 12; 
Thence N 42-11-38 W, 253.07 meters to corner 13; 
Thence N 20-46-58 W, 633.69 meters to corner 14; 
Thence N 26-07-05 E, 313.32 meters to corner 15; 
Thence N 36-26-57 E, 530.01 meters to corner 16; 
Thence N 17-30-50 E, 482.59 meters to corner 17; 
Thence N 13-50-44 E, 454.68 meters to corner 18; 
Thence N 14-43-43 W, 387.53 meters to corner 19; 
Thence N 02-41-25 E, 635.45 meters to corner 20; 


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Thence N 41-09-55 E, 349.44 meters to corner 21; 
Thence N 09-59-36 E, 255.3 meters to corner 22; 
Thence N 16-47-01 W, 555.81 meters to corner 23; 
Thence N 42-24-33 E, 367.78 meters to corner 24; 
Thence N 04-15-46 W, 295.07 meters to corner 25; 
Thence N 14-24-30 E, 347.33 meters to corner 26; 
Thence N 19-57-18 E, 625.66 meters to corner 27; 
Thence N 32-37-20 E, 787.22 meters to corner 28; 
Thence N 32-23-40 E, 202.04 meters to corner 29; 
Thence S 56-16-16 E, 519.28 meters to corner 30; 
Thence S 25-41-10 E, 504.76 meters to corner 31; 
Thence S 53-23-33 E, 569.85 meters to corner 32; 
Thence S 8-26-36 W, 595.48 meters to corner 33; 
Thence S 37-47-28 E, 236.3 meters to corner 34; 
Thence S 15-24-19 E, 541.02 meters to corner 35; 
Thence S 60-06-44 E, 279.21 meters to corner 36; 
Thence S 15-35-26 W, 299.18 meters to corner 37; 
Thence S 20-38-55 W, 354.8 meters to corner 38; 
Thence S 16-15-13 E, 509.95 meters to corner 39; 
Thence S 60-53-14 W, 300.03 meters to corner 40; 
Thence S 29-06-46 E, 224.47 meters to corner 41; 
Thence S 07-38-44 E, 218.84 meters to corner 42; 
Thence S 68-32-18 E, 429.6 meters to corner 43; 
Thence N 88-57-50 E, 426.15 meters to corner 44; 
Thence N 59-54-09 E, 352.19 meters to corner 45; 
Thence S 39-51-22 E, 471.19 meters to corner 46; 
Thence S 37-36-47 E, 325.03 meters to corner 47; 
Thence S 42-36-47 E, 300.02 meters to corner 48; 
Thence N 42-34-13 E, 171.13 meters to corner 49; 
Thence N 06-13-35 E, 468.13 meters to corner 50; 


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Thence S 74-42-49 E, 381.05 meters to corner 51; 
Thence N 04-38-52 W, 266.11 meters to corner 52; 
Thence N 36-38-28 E, 246.1 meters to corner 53; 
Thence S 77-33-04 E, 409.4 meters to corner 54; 
Thence S 11-38-16 E, 194.69 meters to corner 55; 
Thence S 31-47-53 E, 509.93 meters to corner 56; 
Thence S 53-08-24 E, 473.84 meters to corner 57; 
Thence S 13-36-48 E, 499.76 meters to corner 58; 
Thence S 33-29-25 W, 484.69 meters to corner 59; 
Thence S 00-23-12 W, 150.01 meters to corner 60; 
Thence S 22-19-19 W, 394.38 meters to corner 61; 
Thence S 24-06-49 E, 250.02 meters to corner 62; 
Thence S 65-53-11 W, 190.84 meters to corner 63; 
Thence S 33-31-42 W, 367.21 meters to corner 64; 
Thence S 02-13-56 E, 708.3 meters to corner 65; 
Thence S 88-35-40 W, 326.99 meters to corner 66; 
Thence 53-32-17 W, 139.15 meters to corner 67; 
Thence S 12-23-25 E, 237.15 meters to corner 68; 
Thence S 49-36-51 E, 150.01 meters to corner 69; 
Thence S 11-06-51 E, 200.01 meters to corner 70; 
Thence S 33-49-29 E, 324.93 meters to corner 71; 
Thence S 15-23-9 W, 250.02 meters to corner 72; 
Thence S 06-36-52 E, 200.01 meters to corner 73; 
Thence S 23-23-08 W, 200.01 meters to corner 74; 
Thence S 10-36-52 E, 223.12 meters to corner 75; 
Thence S 29-35-55 W, 379.3 meters to corner 76; 
Thence S 48-53-07 W, 515.01 meters to corner 77; 
Thence S 51-13-09 W, 527.69 meters to corner 78; 
Thence S 33-25-35 W, 255.58 meters to corner 79; 
Thence S 52-35-13 E, 207.36 meters to corner 80; 


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Thence S 23-30-47 E, 313.93 meters to corner 81; 
Thence S 05-22-23 E, 452.97 meters to corner 82; 
Thence S 32-47-30 W, 330.98 meters to corner 83; 
Thence S 18-8-56 W, 210.68 meters to corner 84; 
Thence S 23-59-33 E, 286.52 meters to corner 85; 
Thence S 52-53-45 W, 438.42 meters to corner 86; 
Thence S 43-54-50 W, 453.04 meters to corner 87; 
Thence N 72-36-56 W, 150.01 meters to corner 88; 
Thence N 10-01-46 W, 287 meters to corner 89; 
Thence N 02-48-59, 338.51 meters to corner 90; 
Thence N 15-36-55 W, 225.02 meters to corner 91; 
Thence N 23-36-55 W, 325.03 meters to corner 92; 
Thence N 74-50-20 W, 255.19 meters to corner 93; 
Thence S 46-19-45 W, 340.58 meters to corner 94; 
Thence S 31-23-05 W, 458.56 meters to corner 95; 
Thence S 50-29-22 W, 342.87 meters to corner 96; 
Thence N 81-44-10 W, 215.83 meters to corner 97; 
Thence N 54-36-56 W, 550.05 meters to corner 98; 
Thence S 76-23-05 W, 250.02 meters to corner 99; 
Thence N 50-10-25 W, 149.15 meters to corner 100; 
Thence N 86-36-55 W, 375.04 meters to corner 101; 
Thence S 88-23-05 W, 350.03 meters to corner 102; 
Thence N 49-11-11 W, 397.59 meters to corner 103; 
Thence N 75-47-33 W, 291.44 meters to corner 104; 
Thence N 48-36-55 W, 150.02 meters to corner 105; 
Thence N 16-36-55 W, 350.04 meters to corner 106; 
Thence N 47-17-33 W, 332.22 meters to corner 107; 
Thence N 87-11-47 W, 341.69 meters to corner 108; 
Thence N 77-41-15 W, 376.01 meters to corner 109; 
Thence N 64-51-12 W, 473.83 meters to corner 110; 


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Thence N 13-48-56 W, 285.97 meters to corner 111; 
Thence N 44-29-51 W, 370.25 meters to corner 112; 
Thence N 65-34-14 W, 470.85 meters to corner 113; 
Thence N 16-35-48 W, 231.03 meters to corner 114; 
Thence N 8-15-06 W, 150.72 meters to corner 115; 
Thence N 21-26-04 E, 419.46 meters to corner 116; 
Thence N 28-38-42 E, 389.26 meters to corner 1, the point of beginning, containing an area 
of TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (2,392.0) HECTARES, more or less. 
 
The technical descriptions provided in this Act shall be subject to ground survey and 
verification to be conducted by the DENR within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
Once surveyed and verified on the ground, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR) shall mark on the ground the boundaries set forth in this Act which shall not be modified 
except by an act of Congress. Any modification of the coverage of this Act due to such factors as 
changing ecological situations, new scientific or archaeological findings, or discovery of 
traditional boundaries not previously taken into account, and supported through sound technical 
and scientific basis, shall be made through an act of Congress, after consultation with the affected 
public 
and 
concerned 
government 
agencies. 
 
SEC. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. — There is hereby established a 1,000 meters 
buffer zone extending from the boundaries based on the technical descriptions provided in this 
Act, 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. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 
Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) created 
under SEC. 7 of this Act, may designate areas surrounding the PPL as additional buffer zones.  
 
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE II 
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS 
 


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SEC. 7. Palompon Protected Landscape- Protected Area Management Board (PPL-
PPL-PAMB). — Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area 
Management Board (PPL-PAMB) shall be created to oversee the management of the PPL. The 
PPL-PPL-PAMB 
shall 
be 
composed 
of 
the 
following: 
 
a. DENR 
Regional 
Executive 
Director 
for 
Region 
VIII, 
as 
Chairperson; 
 
b. Governor of the Province of Leyte or his/her duly authorized representative; 
 
c. Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents of Leyte, or 
their duly designated representatives, unless the Senators decline the membership in the 
PPL-PAMB; 
 
d. District Representative of the Congressional District where the PPL is located, or his/her 
duly designated representative, unless the District Representative declines the membership 
in 
the 
PPL-PAMB; 
 
e. Mayors of the municipalities of Palompon, Matag-ob and Villaba in the Province of Leyte 
or 
their 
duly 
authorized 
representatives; 
 
f. Chairpersons of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the PPL; 
 
g. Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: Department of 
Agriculture (DA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department 
of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of 
National 
Defense 
(DND), 
and 
the 
Department 
of 
Tourism 
(DOT); 
 
h. Three (3) representatives from either NGOs, or people's organizations (POs) based in the 
Province of Leyte, 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 must 
have a record of accomplishments in the field of protected area management; 
 
i. One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a university or college 
in the Province of Leyte, with a record of accomplishments in or related to protected area 
management; and 
j. One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the Province of 
Leyte, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest relevant to the protected area 
management. 
 


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The terms of office of members of the PPL- PPL-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 PPL-PPL-PAMB. — The PPL-PPL-PAMB shall 
have 
the 
following 
powers 
and 
functions: 
 
a. Oversee 
the 
management 
of 
the 
protected 
area; 
 
b. Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other related documents 
for 
the 
management 
of 
the 
protected 
areas; 
 
c. 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; 
 
d. Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for the enforcement of 
the laws, rules and regulations governing the management of the protected area; 
 
e. 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; 
 
f. Set 
fees 
and 
charges 
in 
accordance 
with 
existing 
guidelines; 
 
g. Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and effective 
means; 
 
h. Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government authorities 
with 
respect 
to 
the 
management 
of 
the 
PPL; 
 
i. Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) 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 PPL; 
j. Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation or appointment 
of 
the 
PASu; 
and 
 
k. Assess the effectiveness of the management of the protected area: Provided, That the 
members of the PPL-PAMB representing the LGUs and national agencies shall inform 


11 
their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of PPL-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 PPL-PAMB 
may provide: Provided, further, That the DENR, through the Regional Director, shall 
ensure that the PPL-PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of 
conflict between the resolutions issued by the PPL-PAMB and the existing administrative 
orders 
of 
national 
application, 
the 
latter 
shall 
prevail. 
 
SEC. 9. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). — There is hereby established 
a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a PASu who shall supervise the 
day-to-day management, protection, and administration of the PPL. 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 PPL-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; 
 
c. Provide secretariat services to the PPL-PAMB and its committees and ensure the 
availability 
of 
relevant 
and 
timely 
information 
for 
decision-making; 
 
d. Formulate and recommend to the PPL-PAMB proposed policies, rules, regulations, and 
programs; 
e. Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which shall be an 
important 
basis 
for 
decision-making; 
 
f. 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 


12 
provisions 
of 
this Act; 
 
g. Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of the protected 
area; 
 
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 
protected 
area; 
 
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 PPL-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 PPL-
PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the specific acts to be covered; 
 
j. 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 PPL-PAMB and the DENR in accordance with existing 
guidelines; 
 
k. Prepare and recommend to the PPL-PAMB, approval of the annual work and financial 
plans 
of 
the 
protected 
area 
based 
on 
the 
management 
plan; 
and 
 
l. Perform such other functions as the PPL-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 PPL-PAMB and approval of the DENR. 
 
ARTICLE III 
PROCEEDS AND FEES 
SEC. 10. The Palompon Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund. — There 
is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Palompon Protected Landscape Integrated 
Protected Area Fund (PPL-IPAF) for purposes of financing the projects of the PPL and the NIPAS. 
All income generated from the operation and management of wild flora and fauna in the PPL shall 
accrue to the PPL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees from permitted sale and export of 
flora and fauna and other resources; from the PPL proceeds; from lease of multiple-use areas; 
contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the PPL; and such other fees 


13 
and 
income 
derived 
from 
the 
operation 
of 
the 
PPL. 
 
The PPL-PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through the 
above means, which shall be deposited to 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 the protected area and implementation of duly approved projects of the PPL-
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 projects of the 
NIPAS. 
 
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowment from various sources, 
domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in full as a special account in the 
National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, 
maintenance, administration and management of the NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed 
by the PPL-PAMB in accordance with existing accounting, budgeting and auditing rules and 
regulations: Provided, further, That the fund shall not be used to cover personal services 
expenditures. 
 
The LGUs shall continue to impose taxes and collect all other fees not enumerated herein 
that they have traditionally collected, such as fees for business permit applications, property taxes 
and rental fees 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 Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppletory application to this Act. 
All prohibited acts and corresponding penalties imposed thereof as defined under Sections 20 and 
21, including the applicable new sections added after Section 21 of RA 7586 as amended by RA 
11038 
are 
hereby 
integrated 
and 
shall 
form 
part 
of 
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 governments 


14 
of the municipalities of Palompon, Matag-ob and Villaba, the Provincial Government of Leyte, 
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, executive orders, rules and regulations, 
issuances and local ordinances or parts thereof that are contrary to or  inconsistent with the 
provisions 
of 
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,