NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1690
Senate
of tl)f
23 JAN 18 P2 S3
RlXtlVID 8V
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE PANAON ISLAND AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS, 
SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, AS PROTECTED 
SEASCAPE, PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED SYSTEM (ENIPAS) 
ACT OF 2018
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 peopie of present and future generations the 
perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a 
comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of
1 Article II, Section 16, 1987 Philippine Constitution
2 Article XII, Sec. 3, 1987 Philippine Constitution


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. One of these sites is the 
Panaon Island Seascape.
The Panaon Island Seascape is located at the southern tip of Southern Leyte. 
It is under the jurisdiction of four municipalities, namely: Liloan, San Francisco, 
Pintuyan, and San Ricardo. The Panaon Island Seascape covers an area of 
62,478.50 hectares. Panaon Island is known to have good to excellent coral reefs, 
with 41% of the coral reefs surveyed (11 of 27) estimated to have greater than 50% 
hard coral cover - a rarity in the country nowadays. Reef-associated fish 
communities at the different reef areas around Panaon Island were found to have 
moderate richness and very high abundance. Endemic wildlife such as Philippine 
ducks or Anas luzonica and the endangered whale shark or Rhinchodon typus 4 
species are frequently sighted around the island. Panaon Island is identified as part 
of the 50 priority reefs in the world5 that will highly likely withstand the devastating 
impacts of climate change, hence, the urgent need for protection and conservation.
3 Section 2, RA No. 7586, as amended by RA 11038
4 
Whale shark. lUCN 2022. The lUCN
Red List of Threatened Species. Version 
2022-1.
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/19488/2365291. (Accessed 22/08/11).
5 Hawthorne Beyer, Emma Kennedy, Maria Beger, Chaolun Allen Chen, Joshua Cinner, Emily Darling, C. Mark Eakin, Ruth
Gates, Scott Heron, Nancy Knowiton, David Obura, Stephen Palumbi, Hugh Possingham, Marji Puotenin, Rebecca Runting,
William Skirving, Mark Spalding, Kerrie Wilson, Sally Wood, John Veron, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Risk-sensitive planning for 
conserving 
coral 
reefs 
under 
rapid 
climate change. Conservation Letters June 5, 
2018. 
el2587;
https://doi.org/10.1111/conl. 12587


Despite the presence of extensive coral reefs and vibrant fish communities, 
the abundance and biomass of commercially important species show signs of 
overfishing. Further, evidence of potential causes of large-scale habitat deterioration 
that can dramatically change the island's coral reef condition were observed, such as 
crown-of-thorns starfish, trash, and illegal fishing activities. With the Philippines 
considered among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the country 
needs more well-managed marine reserves that may "help marine ecosystems and 
people adapt to five prominent impacts of climate change: acidification, sea-level 
rise, intensification of storms, shifts in species distribution, and decreased 
productivity and oxygen availability, as well as their cumulative effects."6
This bill seeks to declare the Panaon Island as a Protected Seascape to 
regulate utilization of marine resources and ensure the conservation and continuity 
of critical, endangered, threatened coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangrove forests as 
well as the endemic and threatened species therein. It seeks the conservation, 
protection, and preservation of a protected seascape 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, or the 
Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018.
The bill also mandates the formulation of a management plan that shall 
promote the adoption and implementation of innovative, sustainable management 
techniques including, when biodiversity management, community organizing and 
development, socio-economic and scientific research, site-specific policy 
development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and 
management, solid waste management, and gender and development, among 
others.
With the filing of the house bills declaring Panaon Island as a protected 
seascape by Representative Christopherson M. Yap of the 2nd District of Southern
Callum M. Roberts, Bethan C. O'Leary, Douglas J. McCauley, Philippe Maurice Cury, Marine reserves can mitigate and promote 
adaptation to ciimate change, PNAS June 13, 2017. 114 (24): 6167-6175; first published June 5, 2017; 
https://doi.org/10,1073/pnas. 1701262114


Leyte and Representative Luz V. Mercado of the 1st District of Southern Leyte in the 
House of Representatives, I see the wisdom of filing a counterpart in the Senate and 
push for the passage of this bill.
In view of all the foregoing, I seek the immediate passage of this bill.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1690
tk. ^cnrTr
-‘7? 
,..
ssv^lBffltr of tijp €
23 JAN 18 P2S4
RECEIVED 8'^
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE PANAON ISLAND AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS, 
SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, AS PROTECTED 
SEASCAPE, PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED SYSTEM (ENIPAS) 
ACT OF 2018
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Panaon Island
2 
Protected Seascape Act of 2023".
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the declared policy of the State to
4 
ensure the protection and maintenance of the natural, biological, and physical
5 
diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique features of
6 
Panaon Island to secure its perpetual existence for the present and future
7 
generations.
8 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and
9 
phrases shall mean, as follows:


1 
a) 
"Buffer Zone" refers to the identified area outside the boundaries of
2 
and immediately adjacent to PIPS that needs special development control in order to
3 
avoid or minimize harm to the protected area.
4 
b) 
"Conservation Fees" refer to fees collected from authorized users of
5 
the PIPS.
6 
c) 
"LGUs"vefer to the local government units in PIPS.
7 
d) 
"Management Plan" refers to the fundamental management goals,
8 
strategies and activities which shall guide all activities relating to the PIPS in order to
9 
attain the objectives of this Act.
10 
e) 
"Multiple Use Zone" refers to the area where settlement, traditional
11 
and sustainable land use including agriculture, agroforestry, extraction activities, and
12 
income generating or livelihood activities, and may be allowed to the extent
13 
prescribed in the protected area management plan of the PIPS.
14 
f) 
"PAMO" refers to the Protected Area Management Office of the PIPS.
15 
g) 
"PASu"refevs to the Protected Area Superintendent of the PIPS.
16 
h) 
"PIPS"refers to Panaon Island Protected Seascape.
17 
i) 
"Protected Area" refers to identified portions of land and water set
18 
aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to
19 
enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.
20 
j) 
"Strict Protection Zone" refers to the area declared within the PIPS
21 
according to the protected area management plan which possess some outstanding
22 
ecosystem, features, and species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance
23 
that should be maintained to protect and to preserve nature in its undisturbed state
24 
and to preserve ecologically representative examples of the natural environment to


1 
ensure their availability for scientific study, environmental to ensure their availability
2 
for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of
3 
genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state.
4 
SEC. 4. Establishment of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS). -
5 
Pursuant to the above policy, the ENIPAS Act and as provided herein, Panaon Island
6 
and its surrounding areas with boundaries as described hereunder, is hereby
7 
declared and established as a protected area under the category of protected
8 
landscape and seascape to be known as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape
9 
(PIPS).
10 
SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. - The Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS)
11 
shall cover the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricard,
12 
containing an area of 62,478.50 hectares subject to delineation and demarcation on
13 
the ground with the following boundaries and technical description:
14
WGS 84 DATUM
Remarks
15
POINTS
Latitude
Longitude
16
Beginning at 1
10° 9' 39.79" N
125° 7' 57.57" E
Cabalian Bay
17
thence 2
10° 10' 13.0" N
125° 10' 15.04" E
Cabalian Bay
18
thence 3
10° 11' 13.97" N
125° 14' 3.0" E
Cabalian Bay
19
thence 4
10° 11' 10.05" N
125° 14' 50.97" E
Cabalian Bay
20
thence 5
10° 10' 37.35" N
125° 15' 36.28" E
Surigao Strait
21
thence 6
10° 10' 36.16" N
125° 15' 37.52" E
Surigao Strait
22
thence 7
10° 9' 34.01" N
125° 16' 24.31" E
Surigao Strait
23
thence 8
10° 81 52.23" N
125° 16' 38.37" E
Surigao Strait
24
thence 9
10° 8' 42.07" N
125° 16' 45.15" E
Surigao Strait


1
thence 10
10° 8' 31.85" N
125° 16' 48.23" E
Surigao Strait
2
thence 11
10° 8' 11.85" N
125° 16’ 56.4" E
Surigao Strait
3
thence 12
10° T 36.98" N
125° 17' 4.09" E
Surigao Strait
4
thence 13
10° r 23.82" N
125° 17' 12.63" E
Surigao Strait
5
thence 14
10° r 11.32" N
125° 17' 22.51" E
Surigao Strait
6
thence 15
10° 6' 56.55" N
125° 17' 32.54" E
Surigao Strait
7
thence 16
10° 6' 42.93" N
125° 17' 39.95" E
Surigao Strait
8
thence 17
10° 5' 50.18" N
125° 18' 1.84" E
Surigao Strait
9
thence 18
10° 5' 24.35" N
125° 18' 9.82" E
Surigao Strait
10
thence 19
10° 4’ 31.04" N
125° 18' 25.08" E
Surigao Strait
11
thence 20
10° 4' 4.46" N
125° 18' 37.12" E
Surigao Strait
12
thence 21
10° 3' 31.92" N
125° 18' 54.48" E
Surigao Strait
13
thence 22
10° 3' 0.81" N
125° 19' 15.04" E
Surigao Strait
14
thence 23
10° 2' 37.97" N
125° 19' 39.07" E
Surigao Strait
15
thence 24
10° 2' 21.17" N
125° 19' 54.43" E
Surigao Strait
16
thence 25
10° 2' 4.04" N
125° 20' 7.68" E
Surigao Strait
17
thence 26
10° 1' 34.63" N
125° 20' 25.97" E
Surigao Strait
18
thence 27
10° O' 31.63" N
125° 20' 49.29" E
Surigao Strait
19
thence 28
10° O' 4.07" N
125° 20' 53.85" E
Surigao Strait
20
thence 29
9° 59' 36.44" N
125° 20' 55.42" E
Surigao Strait
21
thence 30
9° 59' 0.51" N
125° 20' 50.51" E
Surigao Strait
22
thence 31
9° 58' 54.83" N
125° 20' 54.74" E
Surigao Strait
23
thence 32
9° 58' 32.14" N
125° 21' 8.98" E
Surigao Strait
24
thence 33
9° 58' 8.05" N
125° 21' 23.97" E
Surigao Strait


1
thence 34
9° 57' 56.99" N
125° 21' 29.27" E
Surigao Strait
2
thence 35
9° 57' 22.31" N
125° 21' 43.76" E
Surigao Strait
3
thence 36
9° 57' 15.33" N
125° 21' 46.11" E
Surigao Strait
4
thence 37
9° 56' 58.43" N
125° 21' 50.97" E
Surigao Strait
5
thence 38
9° 56' 36.74" N
125° 21' 55.5" E
Surigao Strait
6
thence 39
9° 56' 20.59" N
125° 21' 56.92" E
Surigao Strait
7
thence 40
9° 56' 7.68" N
125° 21' 58.45" E
Surigao Strait
8
thence 41
9° 55' 51.08" N
125° 22' 1.83" E
Surigao Strait
9
thence 42
9° 54' 49.78" N
125° 21' 58.67" E
Surigao Strait
10
thence 43
9° 53' 37.15" N
125° 21' 33.48" E
Surigao Strait
11
thence 44
9° 52' 56.5" N
125° 21' 2.48" E
Surigao Strait
12
thence 45
9° 52' 43.59" N
125° 20' 55.24" E
Surigao Strait
13
thence 46
9° 52' 29.27" N
125° 20' 45.13" E
Surigao Strait
14
thence 47
9° 52' 4.56" N
125° 20' 24.44" E
Surigao Strait
15
thence 48
9° 51' 48.24" N
125° 20' 7.97" E
Surigao Strait
16
thence 49
9° 51' 23.13" N
125° 19' 35.24" E
Surigao Strait
17
thence 50
9° 51' 16.29" N
125° 19' 24.52" E
Surigao Strait
18
thence 51
9° 50' 58.64" N
125° 18' 50.38" E
Surigao Strait
19
thence 52
9° 50' 48.7" N
125° 18' 24.59" E
Surigao Strait
20
thence 53
9° 50' 42.85" N
125° 18' 4.94" E
Surigao Strait
21
thence 54
9° 50' 38.63" N
125° 17' 46.53" E
Surigao Strait
22
thence 55
9° 50' 34.54" N
125° 17' 18.59" E
Surigao Strait
23
thence 56
9° 50' 30.83" N
125° 16' 16.19" E
Surigao Strait
24
thence 57
9° 50' 29.96" N
125° 15' 58.23" E
Surigao Strait


1
thence 58
9° 50' 30.95" N
125° 15' 30.87" E
Surigao Strait
2
thence 59
9° 50' 37.84" N
125° 14' 49.97" E
Surigao Strait
3
thence 60
9° 50' 41.7" N
125° 14' 36.45" E
Surigao Strait
4
thence 61
9° 50' 47.46" N
125° 14' 17.98" E
Surigao Strait
5
thence 62
9° 51' 0.15" N
125° 13' 48.66" E
Surigao Strait
6
thence 63
9° 51' 10.56" N
125° 13' 29.97" E
Surigao Strait
7
thence 64
9° 51' 22.86" N
125° 13' 10.55" E
Surigao Strait
8
thence 65
9° 51' 42.97" N
125° 12' 44.02" E
Surigao Strait
9
thence 66
9° 51' 58.54" N
125° 12' 26.28" E
Surigao Strait
10
thence 67
9° 52' 33.36" N
125° 11' 56.96" E
Surigao Strait
11
thence 68
9° 52' 56.15" N
125° 11' 42.35" E
Surigao Strait
12
thence 69
9° 53' 36.36" N
125° 11' 25.24" E
Surigao Strait
13
thence 70
9° 54' 4.92" N
125° 11' 13.82" E
Surigao Strait
14
thence 71
9° 54' 30.83" N
125° 11' 4.29" E
Sogod Bay
15
thence 72
9° 55' 2.16" N
125° 10' 21.62" E
Sogod Bay
16
thence 73
9° 55' 57.86" N
125° 9' 43.0" E
Sogod Bay
17
thence 74
9° 56' 24.06" N
125° 9' 32.84" E
Sogod Bay
18
thence 75
9° 56' 35.3" N
125° 9' 22.92" E
Sogod Bay
19
thence 76
9° 57' 3.03" N
125° 9' 4.17" E
Sogod Bay
20
thence 77
9° 57' 30.12" N
125° 8' 50.11" E
Sogod Bay
21
thence 78
9° 57' 45.51" N
125° 8' 43.79" E
Sogod Bay
22
thence 79
9° 58' 13.52" N
125° 8' 34.69" E
Sogod Bay
23
thence 80
9° 58' 34.22" N
125° 8' 26.45" E
Sogod Bay
24
thence 81
9° 58' 46.65" N
125° 8' 16.85" E
Sogod Bay


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
thence 82
9° 59' 9.8" N
125° 8' 2.15" E
Sogod Bay
thence 83
9° 59' 31.75" N
125° T 48.22" E
Sogod Bay
thence 84
9° 59' 37.63" N
125° r 21.44" E
Sogod Bay
thence 85
9° 59' 50.0" N
125° 7' 12.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 86
10° 1' 22.0" N
125° 5' 14.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 87
10° 1' 49.0" N
125° 5' 2.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 88
10° 2' 44.0" N
125° 4' 54.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 89
10° 4' 15.0" N
125° 4' 26.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 90
10° 5' 48.0" N
125° 4' 13.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 91
10° 6' 9.0" N
125° 4' 9.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 92
10° r 18.0" N
125° 3' 54.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 93
10° r 59.0" N
125° 3' 45.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 94
10° 8' 57.0" N
125° 3' 36.0" E
Sogod Bay
thence 95
10° 10' 42.84" N
125° 6' 20.55" E
Sogod Bay
thence 96
10° 11' 1.43" N
125° 6' 46.75" E
Sogod Bay
thence 97
10° 9' 46.97" N
125° r 42.47" E
Sogod Bay
thence following the Liloan Bridge to point 98
thence 98
10° 9' 44.09" N
125° 7' 42.11" E
Sogod Bay
thence following the coastline of Liloan Bay to Liloan Point
thence following the coastline to Sonok Point 
thence following the coastline to Bolobolo Point 
thence following the coastline to Calapian Point 
thence following the coastline to Point 1 
Total Area: 62,478.50 hectares


1 
Any modification of the scope and coverage of the PIPS in this Act shall be
2 
made through an act of Congress, after consultation with the concerned government
3 
agencies and stakeholders.
4 
SEC. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. - The Department of Environment
5 
and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, upon recommendation of the Protected
6 
Area Management Board (PAMB) created under Section 7 of this Act, may designate
7 
areas surrounding the PIPS as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra
8 
layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases where
9 
the designated buffer zones would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be
10 
required to design their development with due consideration to the protected area
11 
management plan.
12 
ARTICLE II
13 
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
14 
SEC. 7. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). - Within three (3)
15 
months from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)
16 
shall be created to oversee the management of the PIPS. The PAMB shall be
17 
composed of the following:
18 
a) 
DENR Regional Executive Director for Region 8, as Chairperson;
19 
b) 
Governor of the Province of Southern Leyte or his/her duly designated
20 
representative;
21 
c) A Senator of the Republic of the Philippines who is a duly registered
22 
resident of the city or province where the protected area is located or his/her duly
23 
authorized representative, unless the Senator declines membership in the PAMB;
8


1 
d) 
District Representative of the Congressional district 
where the
2 
protected area is located or his/her duly designated representative, unless the
3 
District Representative declines membership in the PAMB;
4 
e) 
Mayors of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San
5 
Ricardo or their duly designated representative/s;
6 
f) 
Chairpersons of the barangays where the protected area is located;
7 
g) 
Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: the
8 
Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development Authority
9 
(NEDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine National
10 
Police (PNP), the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Department of
11 
Tourism (DOT);
12 
h) 
Three (3) representatives from either an NGO or PO, duly accredited
13 
both by the DENR and the provincial government of Southern Leyte. The NGO or PO
14 
represented should have been in existence for at least five (5) years and with track
15 
record in or related to protected area management;
16 
i) 
At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all
17 
the IPs/ICCs present in the area and recognized by the National Commission on
18 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);
19 
j) 
One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a
20 
university or college in the Province of Southern Leyte, with proven track record in
21 
or related to the protected area management; and
22 
k) 
One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of
23 
the Province of Southern Leyte, who is distinguished in a profession or field of
24 
interest relevant to the protected area management.


1 
Ex officio members or members of the PAMB by virtue of their elective or
2 
appointive government positions as specified in the immediately preceding
3 
subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), shall serve for the duration of their
4 
respective terms of office in their respective elective or appointive government
5 
positions.
6 
On the other hand, the members of the PAMB specified under subparagraphs
7 
(h), (i)/ (j), and (k) of this section shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary after
8 
the conduct of a transparent and fair selection process. They shall each serve a term
9 
of three (3) years and may be reappointed for another term.
10 
The PAMB members duly appointed prior to the effectivity of this Act shall
11 
continue their term until the expiration of their appointment. Thereafter, members of
12 
the management board shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of this
13 
Act: Provided, That the Regional Executive Director of the DENR shall ensure that
14 
the relevant members of the PAMB are duly appointed by the DENR Secretary:
15 
Provided, further, that at least forty percent (40%) of the PAMB members shall be
16 
women, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9710 or "The Magna Carta of Women".
17 
The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their
18 
removal, shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586,
19 
otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992",
20 
as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National
21 
Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018".
22 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. - The PAMB shall have the
23 
following powers and functions:
24 
a) Oversee the management of the PIPS;
10


1 
b) 
Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other
2 
related documents for the management of the PIPS;
3 
c) 
Approve the management plan of the PIPS and ensure its harmonization
4 
and integration with the land use plan and other development plan public or private,
5 
and its implementation;
6 
d) 
Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures in the
7 
conduct of business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of
8 
reference;
9 
e) 
Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for
10 
the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the management of
11 
protected area;
12 
f) 
Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management
13 
plan and manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and other funds in
14 
accordance with the accounting and budgeting rules and regulations;
15 
g) 
Set fees and charges in accordance with the existing guidelines;
16 
h) 
Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through
17 
appropriate and effective means;
18 
i) 
Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other
19 
governing authorities;
20 
j) 
Monitor and assess the performance of the protected area personnel
21 
assigned in the PAMO and all those implementing activities and projects in the PIPS;
22 
k) 
Establish partnerships with national and local agencies, local
23 
government units, local communities, the academe, nongovernmental organizations,
24 
and such other institutions to ensure the conservation and management of the PIPS,
11


1 
and monitor compliance of partners with the terms and conditions of any
2 
undertaking, contract or agreement;
3 
I) 
Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the
4 
designation or appointment of the PASu;
5 
m) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the PIPS: Provided, That
6 
the members of the management board representing the LGUs and national agencies
7 
in the PAMB shall inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of PAMB-
8 
approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, and projects and
9 
shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations
10 
are complied with, and used as reference and framework in their respective plans,
11 
policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be the
12 
basis for disciplinary action against such member according to administrative rules
13 
and regulations and such penalties as the PAMB may provide: Provided, further. That
14 
the DENR, through the Regional Executive Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts
15 
within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between the
16 
resolutions issued by the PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national
17 
application, the latter shall prevail;
18 
n) 
Provide adequate measures to ensure consultation and participation of
19 
stakeholders; and
20 
o) 
Perform such other functions necessary for the fulfillment of the
21 
provisions of this Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, and as may be
22 
required.
23 
SEC. 9. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). - There is hereby
24 
established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a
12


1 
Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day to day
2 
management, protection, and administration of the PIPS. The PASu shall hold a
3 
permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A
4 
sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be
5 
appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the PIPS.
6 
The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
7 
management and operations of the PIPS. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
8 
following duties and responsibilities;
9 
a. 
Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders,
10 
including the annual work and financial plan and ensure its implementation;
11 
b. 
Ensure the integration of the PIPS management plans, programs,
12 
projects, and policies with relevant national and LGUs' plans and programs;
13 
c. 
Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and
14 
ensure the availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;
15 
d. 
Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules,
16 
regulations, and programs;
17 
e. 
Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system
18 
which shall be an important basis for decision-making;
19 
f. 
Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the PIPS,
20 
commence and institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other
21 
government agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of offenses
22 
committed in violation of the provisions this Act;
23 
g. 
Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management
24 
activities of the PIPS;
13


1 
h. 
Request for and receive any technical assistance, support or advice
2 
from any agency or instrumentality of the government as well as academic
3 
institutions, NGOs, and the private sector, as may be necessary for the effective
4 
management, protection and administration of the PIPS;
5 
i. 
Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the
6 
management plan and other permitted activities in accordance with terms,
7 
conditions, and criteria established by the PAMB: Provided, That all permits for
8 
extraction of natural resources, including collection of wildlife, and its by-products or
9 
derivatives for research purposes, shall continue to be issued by relevant authorities,
10 
subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the
11 
specific acts to be covered;
12 
j. 
Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other
13 
income for the PIPS: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other
14 
income collected and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR
15 
in accordance with existing guidelines;
16 
k. 
Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and
17 
financial plans of the PIPS based on the management plan; and
18 
I. 
Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.
19 
The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and
20 
natural resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of
21 
the DENR.
22 
ARTICLE III
23 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
24 
SEC. 10. Panaon Isiand Protected Seascape Integrated Protected Area Fund
25 
(PIPS-IPAF). - There is hereby established a Panaon Island Protected Seascape
14


1 
Integrated Protected Area Fund (PIPS-IPAF) for purpose of financing the projects of
2 
the PIPS and the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation and management
3 
of wild lora and fauna in the PIPS shall accrue to the PIPS-IPAF. The income shall be
4 
derived from fees and charges from the use of resources and facilities of the PIPS;
5 
contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the PIPS; and
6 
such other fees and income derived from the operation of the PIPS.
7 
The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised
8 
through the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained
9 
Income Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the
10 
locality: Provided, That disbursement out of such deposits shall be used solely for
11 
the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the PIPS and
12 
implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB.
13 
The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a
14 
special account in the General Fund in the National Treasury for purposes of
15 
financing the programs and projects of the NIPAS.
16 
The PIPS-IPAF may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from
17 
various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in
18 
full as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursement therefrom shall
19 
be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of
20 
the NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with
21 
existing accounting, budgeting, and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further,
22 
That the fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.
15


1 
The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all taxes and other fees not
2 
enumerated herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits,
3 
property tax and rentals of LGUs' facilities.
4 
ARTICLE IV
5 
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
6 
SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately
7 
include in the DENR's annual program of implementation of this Act, the funding of
8 
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
9 
SEC. 12. Suppietory Appiication of the NIPAS Law. - The provisions of
10 
Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have
11 
suppietory application to this Act.
12 
SEC. 13. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days
13 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with
14 
the local governments of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and
15 
San Ricardo, the provincial government of Southern Leyte, and concerned national
16 
government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective
17 
implementation of this Act.
18 
SEC. 14. Separabiiity Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
19 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
20 
continue to be in full force and effect.
21 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
22 
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are
23 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
16


1 
SEC. 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
2 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
3 
circulation.
Approved,
17