Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3815

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan and
Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE LOPEZ WATERSHED FOREST
RESERVE (LWFR) IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CALAUAG, GUINAYANGAN, AND
LOPEZ IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY
OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED
AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE AMUGUIS PROTECTED LANDSCAPE,
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare a parcel of land situated within and adjacent the Lopez
Watershed Forest Reserve (LWER) in the municipalities of Calauag, Guinayangan, and
Lopez, Province of Quezon, a protected area with the category of protected landscape to
be known as the Amuguis Protected Landscape (APL). It shall serve as additional area
situated within barangays Yayanak, Dungawan Paalyunan and Pisipis in the aforesaid
municipalities.

In 2022, in compliance with one of the provisions of the E-NIPAS, initial
components of the NIPAS have undergone the Protected Area Suitability Assessment
(PASA). Among the targets for PASA within the jurisdiction of CENRO Calauag, Quezon
is the Lopez Watershed Forest Reserve (LWFR).

The PASA Team discovered an adjacent area in the forested portion of the 418-
hectare LWFR. and subjected the 221.9-hectare in a PASA, covering an approximate
19.47-hectare forested portion of the 418-hectare LWFR and a 202.43-hectare additional
stretch adjacent to the LWFR.

Said additional extent adjacent to the forested area of LWFR is with unique
physical features, anthropological significance, and high biological diversity; that
resulted in a passing rating of 84% and a proposal to establish the same as a protected
landscape under ENIPAS.


Moreover, upon the conduct of public consultation and hearing on 31 August 2022,
the stakeholders from Barangay Dungawan Paalyunan, Guinayangan, Quezon headed by
Barangay Captain Virgilio Cantos, requested verification of the titled lots owned by
residents of the barangay allegedly located within the proposed PA. The PASA Team
resurveyed the area and excluded the titled lots in the map of the proposed PA. The
necessary alterations on the land area of the proposed PA were incorporated in the PASA
Report attached in the CSW that has been submitted on 21 October 2022.

The proposed APL shows some very encouraging results in terms of flora and
fauna abundance. Out of the ninety-seven (97) species of plants/trees recorded, sixteen
(16) are included in the IUCN Red List and DAO 2017-11, namely, Narra, Apitong, and
Molave (Endangered); Bolong-eta, Dao, Kalantas, Makaasim, Malabayabas, Pahutan,
Rattan (limuran), Red lauan and White lauan (Vulnerable); and Amugis, Anahaw, Pili,
Rattan (palasan), and Piling liitan (Other/Near Threatened). Among the 100 species of
animals recorded, twelve (12) are included in the IUCN Red List and DAO 2019-09, such
as Colasisi and Tarictic hornbill (Critically endangered); Southeast Asian box turtle
(Endangered); Philippine duck, Gray’s monitor lizard bayuko, and King cobra,
(Vulnerable); Tokay gecko, Green-crested lizard, Philippine cobra, Reticulated python,
and Luzon fanged frog (Near/Other Threatened).

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

ah D.L. Tan ee Aes

4th District, Quezon Kababaihan, Kabalikatan para sa Kapakanan
at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (4K) Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3815,

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan and
Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE LOPEZ WATERSHED FOREST
RESERVE (LWFR) IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CALAUAG, GUINAYANGAN, AND
LOPEZ IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY
OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED
AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE AMUGUIS 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. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Amuguis Protected
Landscape Act”,

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Cognizant of the profound impact of the human
activities on all components of the natural environment particularly the effect of
increasing population, resource exploitation and industrial advancement, and
recognizing the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural, biological,
and physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique
features to sustain human life, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure for
the Filipino people of present and for future generation, the perpetual existence of all
native plants and animals through the establishment of comprehensive system of
integrated protected areas within the classification of national park as provided for in
the Constitution.

In recognition of the richness and diversity of the biological resources, both flora
and fauna, that are distinct to the Quezon Province specifically in the 4t District and its
aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the municipalities of
Calauag, Guinayangan, and Lopez in the Province of Quezon, and covering the Lopez
Watershed Forest Reserve (LWFR), is hereby declared as a Protected Area with the


category of Protected Landscape, and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Amuguis
Protected Landscape (APL). As such, the state shall ensure the conservation, protection,
management and rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that the effective
administration of this area is possibly only through cooperation among national
government, local government units (LGUs), concerned non-government 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 need for the conservation of biodiversity and the
integrity of the ecosystems, culture and indigenous practices.

SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy. — As used in this Act:

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

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

(c) Indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/ Indigenous peoples (IPs) refer to
groups of people sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions, and other
distinctive cultural traits, and who have, since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and
utilized a territory;

(d) 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;

(e) 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;

(f) 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; and

(g) 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;


SEC. 4. Classification as a National Park. ~ The APL is comprised of a land of the
public domain located in the municipalities of Calauag, Guinayangan, and Lopez in the
Province of Quezon. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of the
APL, shall fall under the classification of national park as provided in Article XII, Section
3 of the Constitution.

SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. — The boundaries of APL are more particularly
described as the area beginning at a point marked “1” on the Map, being S 31°46'E,
4,638.68 meters from BLBM No.2, Barangay Yaganak, Calauag, Quezon,

Thence $ 78° 54' E

479.75 m. to corner 2;

Thence S 56° 23' E

509.68 m to corner 3;

|_Thence $ 602 27' E

493.47 m to corner 4;

Thence S 19° 06' W

714.22 m to corner 5;

Thence N 87° 37' W

930.08 m to corner 6;

Thence $ 572 13' E

185.28 m to corner 7;

Thence $ 532 14' E

153.97 m to corner 8;

Thence $ 352 16' E

205.07 m to corner 9;

Thence $ 002 02' E

104.56 m to corner 10;

Thence $ 402 54' E

126.79 m to corner 11;

Thence $ 232 48' E

219.66 m to corner 12;

Thence N 69° 57'E

282.14 m to corner 13;

Thence S 58° 02' E

118.32 m to corner 14;

Thence N 802 54" E 303.18mtocorner15;
Thence $ 042 44" E 172.48 m to corner 16;
Thence $712 11'E 103.27 m to corner 16;

Thence $ 472 42' E

46.02 m to corner 17;

Thence $ 312 52' W

181.72 m to corner 18;

Thence $ 08° 38' E 171.87 m to corner 19;
Thence $ 20° 55' E 143.92 m to corner 20;
Thence N 75° 54' W 703.54 m to corner 21;
Thence N 262 00' E 150.91 m to corner 22;
Thence N 092 40' W 72.46 m to corner 23;
Thence N 16° 32' W 64.75 m to corner 24;
Thence $ 732 03' W 64.94 m to corner 25;
Thence N 73° 27' W 86.48 m to corner 26;

Thence N 22° 34’ W

113.93 m to corner 27;

Thence N 48° 25' W

152.56 m to corner 28;

Thence N 332 30' W

Thence N 35° 38' W

Thence N 28° 19' W

235.80 m to corner 3

Thence N 16° 06' W

111.67 m to corner 3:

Thence N 652 49° W

161.48 m to corner 3:



Thence N 132 40' W 118.16 m to corner 34;

| Thence N 552 08' W 873.86 m to corner 35; _
Thence S 752° 07' W 178.23 m to corner 36; |
Thence N 64° 55' W. 322.07 m to corner 37;
Thence N 27° 15'E 100.34 m to corner 38;
Thence N 85° 09' E 863.12 m to corner 39; _
Thence N 532 13' E 248.16 m to corner 40;
Thence N 292 23' W 251.22 m to corner 41;
Thence N.64°32'E 160.43 m to corner 1.

the point of beginning containing an area of TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE AND
90/100 (221.90) hectares.

SEC. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. — The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, upon the recommendation of the key informants
and other stakeholders during the public consultations, may designate areas
surrounding the APL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra layer of
protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases where the
designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be required
to designate their development with due consideration to the protected area
management plan.

ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS

SEC. 7. Establishment of Buffer Zones. — Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity
of this Act, a Protected Management Board (PAMB) shall be created to oversee the
management of APL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:

(a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region IV-A as Chairperson;

(b) Governor of the Quezon Province or the duly authorized representative;

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

(d) District Representative of the Congressional District where the CPL is
located or the duly designated representative, unless the District

representative declines the membership in the PAMB;

(e) Mayors of the municipality of Calauag, Guinayangan, and Lopez, Quezon or
the duly authorized representatives;


(f) Chairperson(s) of the barangay(s) within the territorial jurisdiction of the
CPL;

(g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: the
Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of National Defense
(DND), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP);

(h) Three (3) representatives from NGOs or people's organizations (POs) based
in the Province of Quezon, duly accredited both by the DENR and the
provincial government. The NGOs or POs representatives should have been
in existence for at least five (5) years with track record in or related to
protected area management;

(i) One (1) representative from the academe, preferably from a university or
college in the Province of Quezon with proven track record in or related to
protected area management; and

(k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the
Province of Quezon, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest
to the protected area management.

The terms of Office of the members of the PAMB, as well as grounds for their
removal, shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Republic Act No. 7586, other
known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992”, as amended by
Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the “Expanded National Integrated
Protected Areas System Act of 2018”.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. — The PAMB shall have the following
powers and functions:

(a) Oversee the management of the APL;

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

(c) Approve the management plan of APL and ensure its harmonization and
integration with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and
Protection Plan, land use plan and other development plan, public or
private, and its implementation;


(d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedure in the conduct
of business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of
reference;

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

(f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan
and manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and other funds
in accordance with the accounting and budgeting rules and regulations;

(g) Set fees and charges in accordance with existing guidelines;

(h)Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through
appropriate and effective means;

(i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government
authorities with respect to the management of the APL;

(j) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Areas Superintendent
(PASu) and other protected area personnel and compliance of partners with
the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract and agreement;

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

(I) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the APL: Provided, That the
members of the PAMB representing the LGUs and national agencies shall
inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of PAMB-approved
or other relevant policies, rules and regulations, programs, and projects and
shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations
issued to implement it comply with and used as reference and framework
in their respective plans, policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply
with the foregoing shall be a basis for disciplinary action against such
member according to the basis for disciplinary action against such member
according to administrative rules and regulations and such penalties as the
PAMB may provide: Provided, further, That the DENR, through the Regional
Director, shall ensure the that PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and
functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions issued by the PAMB
and existing administrative orders of national application, the latter shall
prevail.

SEC. 9. Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). ~ There is hereby established a
Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected Area


Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day-to-day management, protection, and
administration of the APL. 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 APL.

The PAsu shall be primary accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
management and operations of the APL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Prepare management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, including the
annual work and financial plans 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 PAMB and its committees and ensure the
availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;

(d) Formulate and recommended to the 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 area, commence and
institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other government
agencies;

(g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of
the protected area;

(h) Request and receive any technical assistance, support or advice from any
agency of 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 terms, conditions, and criteria
established by the PAMB: Provided. That all permits for extraction activities, including
collection for research purposes, shall also continue to be issued by relevant authorities,
subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASU, in accordance with the
specific acts to be covered;


(j) Collect and/or receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for
the protected area: Provided, that such fees, charges, donations, and other income
collected/ received shall reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in accordance
with existing guidelines;

(k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB the approval of the annual work and
financial plans of protected area based on the management plan; and

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

ARTICLE III
PROCEEDS AND FEES

SEC. 10. Amuguis Protected Landscape Integrated Area Fund. — There is hereby
established a trust fund to be known as the Amuguis Protected Landscape Integrated
Protected Area Fund (APL-IPAF) for purposes of financing the projects of the APL and
the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation and management of wild flora and
fauna in the CPL shall accrue to the APL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees of
permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from APL, proceeds
from lease of multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and facilities directly
benefiting from APL, and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the
APL.

The 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 of such deposits shall be used solely for the protection,
maintenance, administration, and management of the APL and implementation of duly
approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining 25% of revenues shall be deposited as a
special account in the general fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing the
programs and projects of the NIPAS.

The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, 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 as duly
approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting,
budgeting, and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the fund shall not
be used to cover personnel services expenditures.

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

SEC. 12. Suppletory Application of NIPAS Law. ~The provisions of Republic Act No.
7586, otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992”,
as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, or the “Expanded National Integrated Protected
Area System Act of 2018” shall have suppletory applications to this Act.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with municipalities
of Calauag, Guinayangan, and Lopez, the provincial government of Quezon, and
concerned national government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations
for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, executive
orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed of 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,