Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
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 
In accordance with the goal of protecting and maintaining the natural, biological, 
and physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique 
features to sustain human life and development, as well as plant and animal life, and the 
perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a 
comprehensive system of integrated protected areas, it is hereby declared as a policy of 
the State to secure the protection of the natural ecosystems of Panaon Island and its 
surrounding areas, particularly its seascape resources and diversity of its flora and fauna. 
Panaon Island is located at the southern tip of Southern Leyte, which boasts of coral 
reefs that are in good to excellent condition – a rarity in the country nowadays. Identified 
as part of the priority reefs1 that will highly likely withstand the devastating impacts of 
climate change, the urgency to protect the reefs of Panaon Island is highly emphasized. 
1 Hawthorne Beyer, Emma Kennedy, Maria Beger, Chaolun Allen Chen, Joshua Cinner, Emily Darling, C. Mark 
Eakin, Ruth Gates, Scott Heron, Nancy Knowlton, 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. e12587; https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12587  
August 25, 2022
8:00 am
4095


This establishment of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape is pursuant to the 
declared policy of the State to advance and protect the constitutional right to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature of all the 
Filipino people of present for future generations, and that shall protect the nation's 
marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, 
and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens, the objectives of 
Republic Act 11038, otherwise known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected 
Areas System (ENIPAS) Act and the commitments under various international 
agreements to which the Philippines is a signatory.  
Moreover, we need to have more marine protected areas, with our country 
having only 1.4% of our waters up to 200 nautical miles protected under the National 
Integrated Protected Areas system, as of 20202. Marine protected areas play a pivotal 
role in rebuilding fisheries, fighting overfishing, promote food and nutritional security 
and strengthening climate mitigation and adaptation measures. 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.”3 
Thus, approval of this proposed measure is earnestly requested. 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 
2 Biodiversity Management Bureau – CMEMP Database. 
3Callum M. Roberts, Bethan C. O’Leary, Douglas J. McCauley, Philippe Maurice Cury, Marine reserves can 
mitigate and promote adaptation to climate change, PNAS June 13, 2017. 114 (24): 6167-6175; first published 
June 5, 2017; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1701262114 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
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 
2 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the PANAON ISLAND 
3 
PROTECTED SEASCAPE ACT OF 2023. 
4 
5 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. –  It shall be the declared policy of the State 
6 
to ensure the protection and maintenance of the natural, biological, and physical 
7 
diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique features of 
8 
Panaon Island to secure its perpetual existence for the present and future generations. 
9 
10 
SECTION 3. Establishment of the PANAON ISLAND PROTECTED 
11 
SEASCAPE (PIPS). - Pursuant to the above policy, the ENIPAS Act and as provided 
12 
herein, Panaon Island and its surrounding areas with boundaries as described hereunder, 
13 
is hereby declared and established as a protected area under the category of protected 
14 
landscape and seascape to be known as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS). 
15 
16 
4095


SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and 
17 
phrases shall mean, as follows: 
18 
(a)  "Buffer Zone" refers to the identified area outside the boundaries of 
19 
and immediately adjacent to PIPS that needs special development control in order 
20 
to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area. 
21 
(b) "Conservation Fees" refer to fees collected from authorized users of 
22 
the PIPS. 
23 
(c) “LGUs” refer to the local government units in PIPS. 
24 
(d) "Management Plan" refers to the fundamental management goals, 
25 
strategies and activities which shall guide all activities relating to the PIPS in order 
26 
to attain the objectives of this Act. 
27 
(e) “Multiple Use Zone” refers to the area where settlement, traditional 
28 
and sustainable land use including agriculture, agroforestry, extraction activities, 
29 
and income generating or livelihood activities, and may be allowed to the extent 
30 
prescribed in the protected area management plan of the PIPS. 
31 
(f) "PAMO" refers to the Protected Area Management Office of the PIPS. 
32 
(g) "PASu" refers to the Protected Area Superintendent of the PIPS. 
33 
(h) “PIPS” refers to Panaon Island Protected Seascape. 
34 
(i) “Protected Area” refers to identified portions of land and water set 
35 
aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to 
36 
enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human 
37 
exploitation. 
38 
(j) “Strict Protection Zone” refers to the area declared within the PIPS 
39 
according to the protected area management plan which possess some 
40 
outstanding ecosystem, features, and species of flora and fauna of national 
41 
scientific importance that should be maintained to protect and to preserve nature 
42 
in its undisturbed state and to preserve ecologically representative examples of 
43 
the natural environment to ensure their availability for scientific study, 
44 
environmental to ensure their availability for scientific study, environmental 
45 
monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic 
46 
and evolutionary state. 
47 
 
48 
SECTION 5. Scope and Coverage. – The Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) 
49 
shall cover the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricard, 
50 
containing an area of 62,478.50 hectares subject to delineation and demarcation on the 
51 
ground with the following boundaries and technical description: 
52 
 
53 
  
WGS 84 DATUM 
Remarks 
POINTS 
Latitude 
Longitude 
Beginning at 1 
10° 9' 39.79" N 
125° 7' 57.57" E 
Cabalian Bay 
thence 2 
10° 10' 13.0" N 
125° 10' 15.04" E 
Cabalian Bay 
thence 3 
10° 11' 13.97" N 
125° 14' 3.0" E 
Cabalian Bay 
thence 4 
10° 11' 10.05" N 
125° 14' 50.97" E 
Cabalian Bay 
thence 5 
10° 10' 37.35" N 
125° 15' 36.28" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 6 
10° 10' 36.16" N 
125° 15' 37.52" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 7 
10° 9' 34.01" N 
125° 16' 24.31" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 8 
10° 8' 52.23" N 
125° 16' 38.37" E 
Surigao Strait 


  
WGS 84 DATUM 
Remarks 
POINTS 
Latitude 
Longitude 
thence 9 
10° 8' 42.07" N 
125° 16' 45.15" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 10 
10° 8' 31.85" N 
125° 16' 48.23" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 11 
10° 8' 11.85" N 
125° 16' 56.4" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 12 
10° 7' 36.98" N 
125° 17' 4.09" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 13 
10° 7' 23.82" N 
125° 17' 12.63" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 14 
10° 7' 11.32" N 
125° 17' 22.51" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 15 
10° 6' 56.55" N 
125° 17' 32.54" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 16 
10° 6' 42.93" N 
125° 17' 39.95" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 17 
10° 5' 50.18" N 
125° 18' 1.84" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 18 
10° 5' 24.35" N 
125° 18' 9.82" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 19 
10° 4' 31.04" N 
125° 18' 25.08" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 20 
10° 4' 4.46" N 
125° 18' 37.12" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 21 
10° 3' 31.92" N 
125° 18' 54.48" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 22 
10° 3' 0.81" N 
125° 19' 15.04" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 23 
10° 2' 37.97" N 
125° 19' 39.07" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 24 
10° 2' 21.17" N 
125° 19' 54.43" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 25 
10° 2' 4.04" N 
125° 20' 7.68" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 26 
10° 1' 34.63" N 
125° 20' 25.97" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 27 
10° 0' 31.63" N 
125° 20' 49.29" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 28 
10° 0' 4.07" N 
125° 20' 53.85" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 29 
9° 59' 36.44" N 
125° 20' 55.42" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 30 
9° 59' 0.51" N 
125° 20' 50.51" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 31 
9° 58' 54.83" N 
125° 20' 54.74" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 32 
9° 58' 32.14" N 
125° 21' 8.98" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 33 
9° 58' 8.05" N 
125° 21' 23.97" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 34 
9° 57' 56.99" N 
125° 21' 29.27" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 35 
9° 57' 22.31" N 
125° 21' 43.76" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 36 
9° 57' 15.33" N 
125° 21' 46.11" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 37 
9° 56' 58.43" N 
125° 21' 50.97" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 38 
9° 56' 36.74" N 
125° 21' 55.5" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 39 
9° 56' 20.59" N 
125° 21' 56.92" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 40 
9° 56' 7.68" N 
125° 21' 58.45" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 41 
9° 55' 51.08" N 
125° 22' 1.83" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 42 
9° 54' 49.78" N 
125° 21' 58.67" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 43 
9° 53' 37.15" N 
125° 21' 33.48" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 44 
9° 52' 56.5" N 
125° 21' 2.48" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 45 
9° 52' 43.59" N 
125° 20' 55.24" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 46 
9° 52' 29.27" N 
125° 20' 45.13" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 47 
9° 52' 4.56" N 
125° 20' 24.44" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 48 
9° 51' 48.24" N 
125° 20' 7.97" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 49 
9° 51' 23.13" N 
125° 19' 35.24" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 50 
9° 51' 16.29" N 
125° 19' 24.52" E 
Surigao Strait 


  
WGS 84 DATUM 
Remarks 
POINTS 
Latitude 
Longitude 
thence 51 
9° 50' 58.64" N 
125° 18' 50.38" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 52 
9° 50' 48.7" N 
125° 18' 24.59" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 53 
9° 50' 42.85" N 
125° 18' 4.94" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 54 
9° 50' 38.63" N 
125° 17' 46.53" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 55 
9° 50' 34.54" N 
125° 17' 18.59" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 56 
9° 50' 30.83" N 
125° 16' 16.19" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 57 
9° 50' 29.96" N 
125° 15' 58.23" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 58 
9° 50' 30.95" N 
125° 15' 30.87" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 59 
9° 50' 37.84" N 
125° 14' 49.97" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 60 
9° 50' 41.7" N 
125° 14' 36.45" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 61 
9° 50' 47.46" N 
125° 14' 17.98" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 62 
9° 51' 0.15" N 
125° 13' 48.66" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 63 
9° 51' 10.56" N 
125° 13' 29.97" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 64 
9° 51' 22.86" N 
125° 13' 10.55" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 65 
9° 51' 42.97" N 
125° 12' 44.02" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 66 
9° 51' 58.54" N 
125° 12' 26.28" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 67 
9° 52' 33.36" N 
125° 11' 56.96" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 68 
9° 52' 56.15" N 
125° 11' 42.35" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 69 
9° 53' 36.36" N 
125° 11' 25.24" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 70 
9° 54' 4.92" N 
125° 11' 13.82" E 
Surigao Strait 
thence 71 
9° 54' 30.83" N 
125° 11' 4.29" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 72 
9° 55' 2.16" N 
125° 10' 21.62" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 73 
9° 55' 57.86" N 
125° 9' 43.0" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 74 
9° 56' 24.06" N 
125° 9' 32.84" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 75 
9° 56' 35.3" N 
125° 9' 22.92" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 76 
9° 57' 3.03" N 
125° 9' 4.17" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 77 
9° 57' 30.12" N 
125° 8' 50.11" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 78 
9° 57' 45.51" N 
125° 8' 43.79" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 79 
9° 58' 13.52" N 
125° 8' 34.69" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 80 
9° 58' 34.22" N 
125° 8' 26.45" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 81 
9° 58' 46.65" N 
125° 8' 16.85" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 82 
9° 59' 9.8" N 
125° 8' 2.15" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 83 
9° 59' 31.75" N 
125° 7' 48.22" E 
Sogod Bay 
thence 84 
9° 59' 37.63" N 
125° 7' 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° 7' 18.0" N 
125° 3' 54.0" E 
Sogod Bay 


  
WGS 84 DATUM 
Remarks 
POINTS 
Latitude 
Longitude 
thence 93 
10° 7' 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° 7' 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 
 
 
 
Any modification of the scope and coverage of the PIPS in this Act shall be made 
54 
through an act of Congress, after consultation with the concerned government agencies 
55 
and stakeholders. 
56 
 
57 
Article II – Administration and Management  
58 


 
59 
 
SECTION 6. Management of the PIPS. – The PIPS shall be administered and 
60 
managed by the Panaon Island Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), as herein 
61 
provided, and shall be inclusive and science-based. The Panaon Island PAMB shall be 
62 
responsible for the planning, resource protection, and general administration of the PIPS 
63 
in accordance with the approved PIPS Management Plan. 
64 
 
65 
 
SECTION 7. PIPS Management Plan. – Within six (6) months from the effectivity 
66 
of this Act, there shall be a management plan which shall serve as the basic long-term 
67 
framework plan for the management of the protected area and guide in the preparation 
68 
of its annual operations plan and budget. The management plan shall be prepared by 
69 
the PIPS Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) in coordination with the local 
70 
community and various stakeholders, municipal and provincial governments, with the 
71 
assistance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and 
72 
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).  
73 
The management plan shall contain, among others: 
74 
(a) a period of applicability for ten (10) years subject to periodic review 
75 
every three (3) years; 
76 
(b) goals and objectives of management in support of Section 2 hereof; 
77 
(c) key management issues such as, but not limited to, issuance, screening 
78 
and approval of all development and resource-use activities within the PIPS and 
79 
adequate protection and restoration of endangered species and fragile 
80 
ecosystems; 
81 
(d) site management strategy including, but not limited to, establishment 
82 
of clear and simplified guidelines on the activities that can be allowed within the 
83 
zones, including the buffer zones; 
84 
(e) major management activities such as, but not limited to, enforcement 
85 
of laws, habitats and wildlife management, sustainable-use management, 
86 
infrastructure development and maintenance, fire prevention, pest and disease 
87 
control, and disaster management; 
88 
(f) mechanism for the protection, regulation and prohibition of those 
89 
within the PIPS, in accordance with their rights; and 
90 
(g) mechanisms to ensure consultative and participatory decision-making 
91 
processes. The management plan shall be consistent with the nature of the PIPS 
92 
as a protected area. It shall be reviewed and approved by the Panaon Island 
93 
PAMB and submitted to the DENR. 
94 
 
95 
The management plan shall, at the minimum, promote the adoption and 
96 
implementation of innovative management techniques including, when necessary, 
97 
zoning, buffer zone management, habitat conservation and rehabilitation, diversity 
98 
management, community organizing and development, socioeconomic and scientific 
99 
researches, site-specific policy development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, 
100 
disaster risk reduction and management, waste sewerage and septic management, and 
101 
gender and development, among others. 
102 
 
103 
The management plan shall be harmonized with the Ancestral Domain 
104 
Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) required under Republic Act 
105 
No. 8371, or "The Indigenous People's Right Act of 1997', the respective 
106 


Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of local governments required under Republic 
107 
Act No. 7160 or the 'Local Government Code of 1991' and other local plans. 
108 
 
109 
 
SECTION 8. Environmental Impact Assessment. – Any proposal for activities 
110 
which are outside the scope of the PIPS management plan shall be subject to an 
111 
environmental impact assessment as required by law before they are adopted, and the 
112 
results thereof shall be taken into consideration in the decision-making process. 
113 
 
114 
No actual implementation of such activities shall be allowed without the required 
115 
Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) under the Philippine Environmental 
116 
Impact Assessment (EIA) system. In instances where such activities are allowed to be 
117 
undertaken, the proponent shall plan and carry them out in such manner as will 
118 
minimize any adverse effects and take preventive and remedial action when appropriate. 
119 
The proponent shall be liable for any damage as may be provided under existing 
120 
environmental laws. 
121 
 
122 
 
SECTION 9. Zoning. –  There shall be established Strict Protection Zones and 
123 
Multiple Use Zones within the PIPS. The establishment and management of zones shall 
124 
involve the concerned stakeholders by undertaking such steps as dialogue and 
125 
community and resource-use mapping. Each zone shall be indicated on maps and 
126 
nautical charts. Buffer zones shall also be established within the peripheral areas of the 
127 
PIPS in accordance with the management plan.  
128 
 
129 
Article III – Institutional Mechanism, Roles and Functions 
130 
 
131 
 
SECTION 10. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB): Composition and 
132 
Term of Office. – Within three (3) months after the effectivity of this Act, the Panaon 
133 
Island PAMB shall be created as the sole policy-making body of the PIPS. It shall be 
134 
composed of: 
135 
(a) DENR Regional Director under whose jurisdiction the protected area 
136 
is located, as Chairperson; 
137 
(b) Governor/s of the province/s where the protected area is located or 
138 
their duly designated representative/s; 
139 
(c) A Senator of the Republic of the Philippines who is a duly registered 
140 
resident of the city or province where the protected area is located or a duly 
141 
authorized representative, unless the Senator declines membership in the PAMB; 
142 
(d) District Representative/s of the Congressional district/s where the 
143 
protected area is located or their duly designated representatives, unless the 
144 
District Representative declines membership in the PAMB; 
145 
(e) Mayor/s of the city/cities or municipality/municipalities where the 
146 
protected area is located or their duly designated representative/s; 
147 
(f) Chairperson/s of the barangay/s where the protected area is located; 
148 
(g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: the 
149 
Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development 
150 
Authority (NEDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the 
151 
Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of National Defense 
152 
(DND); 
153 


(h) Three (3) representatives from either an NGO or PO, duly accredited 
154 
both by the DENR and the provincial government. The NGO or PO represented 
155 
should have been in existence for at least five (5) years and with track record in 
156 
or related to protected area management; 
157 
(i) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the 
158 
IPs/ICCs if present in the area and recognized by the National Commission on 
159 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); 
160 
(j) One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a 
161 
university or college in the province where the protected area is located, with 
162 
proven track record in or related is located, with proven track record in or related 
163 
to the protected area management; and 
164 
(k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of 
165 
the province where the protected area is located, who is distinguished in a 
166 
profession or field of interest relevant to the protected area management. 
167 
 
168 
Ex officio members or members of the PAMB by virtue of their elective or 
169 
appointive government positions as specified in the immediately preceding 
170 
subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), shall serve for the duration of their 
171 
respective terms of office in their respective elective or appointive government positions. 
172 
On the other hand, the members of the PAMB specified under subparagraphs (h), (i), 
173 
(j), and (k) of this section shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary after the conduct 
174 
of a transparent and fair selection process. They shall each serve a term of three (3) years 
175 
and may be reappointed for another term. 
176 
 
177 
  
The PAMB members duly appointed prior to the effectivity of this Act shall 
178 
continue their term until the expiration of their appointment. Thereafter, members of 
179 
the management board shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act: 
180 
Provided, That the Regional Director of the DENR shall ensure that the relevant 
181 
members of the PAMB are duly appointed by the DENR Secretary: Provided, further, 
182 
That at least forty percent (40%) of the PAMB members shall be women, pursuant to 
183 
Republic Act No. 9710 or 'The Magna Carta of Women'. 
184 
 
185 
SECTION 11. Grounds for Removal of PAMB members. - A member of the PAMB may 
186 
be removed for any of the following grounds: 
187 
(1) More than three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from regular 
188 
meetings of the management board; 
189 
(2) Commission of acts prejudicial to the management of protected areas 
190 
as embodied in Section 20 hereof and/or other existing rules and regulations 
191 
governing protected areas; 
192 
(3) Disassociation from the office or organization being represented; 
193 
(4) Termination of relationship with the office or organization being 
194 
represented; or 
195 
(5) Conviction by final judgment of any criminal act. 
196 
 
197 
SECTION 12. Meetings of the PAMB. - The Panaon Island PAMB en banc shall 
198 
hold regular meetings at least once every quarter. It may, however, meet on a more 
199 
regular basis to discuss day-to-day affairs and other matters. 
200 
 
201 


SECTION 13. Executive and Other Committees of the PAMB. - There shall be 
202 
an Executive Committee (ExeCom) to which the Panaon Island PAMB may delegate 
203 
some of its powers and functions. Its members shall be chosen by the PAMB from among 
204 
themselves. The PAMB may create other committees as it may deem necessary. 
205 
 
206 
SECTION 14. Compensation and Incentives of PAMB members. - The members 
207 
of the Panaon Island PAMB shall serve without compensation, except for the actual and 
208 
necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, 
209 
either in their attendance in meetings of the PAMB or in connection with other official 
210 
business authorized through a resolution of the PAMB, subject to existing rules and 
211 
regulations. Each member shall have the full capacity and accountability for decisions 
212 
binding to the member's sector.   
213 
 
214 
 
SECTION 15. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. – The Panaon Island PAMB 
215 
shall have the following powers and functions: 
216 
(a) Oversee the management of the protected area; 
217 
(b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and 
218 
other related documents for the management of the protected area; 
219 
(c) Approve the management plan of the protected area and ensure its 
220 
harmonization and integration with the ADSDPP (whenever appropriate), land 
221 
use plan and other development plan public or private, and its implementation; 
222 
(d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures in the 
223 
conduct of business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of 
224 
reference; 
225 
(e) Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for 
226 
the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the management of 
227 
protected area; 
228 
(f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management 
229 
plan and manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and other funds 
230 
in accordance with the accounting and budgeting rules and regulations; 
231 
(g) Set fees and charges in accordance with the existing guidelines; 
232 
(h) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through 
233 
appropriate and effective means; 
234 
(i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other 
235 
governing authorities; 
236 
(j) Monitor and assess the performance of the protected area personnel 
237 
assigned in the PAMO and all those implementing activities and projects in the 
238 
PIPS; 
239 
(k) Establish partnerships with national and local agencies, local 
240 
government units, local communities, the academe, nongovernmental 
241 
organizations, and such other institutions to ensure the conservation and 
242 
management of the PIPS, and monitor compliance of partners with the terms and 
243 
conditions of any undertaking, contract or agreement; 
244 
 
245 
(l) Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the 
246 
designation or appointment of the PASu and, upon recommendation of the PASu, 
247 
recommend for appointment by the DENR support staff to assist in the 
248 
management of PIPS; 
249 


(m) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the protected area; 
250 
(n) Provide adequate measures to ensure consultation and participation of 
251 
stakeholders; and 
252 
(o) Perform such other functions necessary for the fulfillment of the 
253 
provisions of this Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, and as 
254 
may be required. 
255 
 
256 
The members of the management board representing the LGUs and national 
257 
agencies in the PAMB shall inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of 
258 
PAMB-approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, and projects 
259 
and shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and 
260 
regulations are complied with, and used as reference and framework in their respective 
261 
plans, policies, programs, and projects.  
262 
 
263 
The DENR, through the Regional Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts 
264 
within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions 
265 
issued by the PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national application, the 
266 
latter shall prevail. 
267 
 
268 
 
SECTION 16. Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). – There is hereby 
269 
established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected 
270 
Area Superintendent (PASU) with a permanent plantilla position who shall supervise the 
271 
day-to-day management, protection and administration of the protected area. A 
272 
sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla position shall be appointed 
273 
by the DENR to assist the PASU in the management of the protected area.  
274 
 
275 
The PASu shall have full responsibility for the protection of resources within the 
276 
PIPS. As such, he/she shall have the following duties and responsibilities in addition to 
277 
those provided under existing laws and regulations: 
278 
 
279 
(a) Prepare the management plan and its successor plans as herein 
280 
provided, in consultation with the stakeholders, including the annual work and 
281 
financial plans and ensure their implementation; 
282 
(b) Ensure the integration of the protected area management plans, 
283 
programs, projects, and policies with relevant national and LGUs' plans and 
284 
programs; 
285 
(c) Act as secretariat to the Panaon Island PAMB with the duty to provide 
286 
all relevant and timely information necessary for appropriate decision-making; 
287 
(d) Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules, 
288 
regulations, and programs; 
289 
(e) Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which 
290 
shall be an important basis for decision-making; 
291 
(f)  Recommend support staff to assist in the management of the PIPS; 
292 
(g) Supervise the PAMO personnel in the performance of their duties and 
293 
functions; 
294 
(h) Coordinate and implement with national and local agencies, local 
295 
government units, local communities, the academe, nongovernmental 
296 


organizations, and such other institutions to ensure the conservation and 
297 
management of the PIPS; 
298 
(i) Develop and implement park information, interpretation, education 
299 
and other visitor programs; 
300 
(j) Enforce the laws, rules and regulations and the PAMB resolutions 
301 
relevant to the PIPS, file administrative and criminal legal actions in collaboration 
302 
with other government agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of 
303 
offenses; 
304 
(k) Monitor all activities within the PIPS in conformity with the 
305 
management plan; 
306 
(l) Ensure that consultative and participatory mechanisms are maximized 
307 
in decision-making;  
308 
(m) Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the 
309 
management plan and other permitted activities in accordance with terms, 
310 
conditions, and criteria established by the PAMS: Provided, That all permits for 
311 
extraction activities, including collection for research purposes, shall also 
312 
continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the 
313 
PAMB, through the PASU, in accordance with the specific acts to be covered; 
314 
(n) Collect and/or receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other 
315 
income for the protected area: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and 
316 
other income collected /received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the 
317 
DENR in accordance with existing guidelines; and 
318 
(o) Perform such other functions as the PAMB may assign. 
319 
 
320 
SECTION 17. Role of Local Government Units (LGUs). – Local government 
321 
units shall participate in the management of the PIPS through their representation in the 
322 
PAMB. Said LGUs may appropriate portions of their share from the annual internal 
323 
revenue allotment and other income for use of the protected area, which shall be 
324 
exempted form twenty-five percent (25%) remittance requirement for the IPAF. 
325 
 
326 
LGUs with territory inside protected areas shall align their CLUPs, local 
327 
development plans, climate change plans, disaster risk reduction management plans and 
328 
other required plans according to the objectives specified herein and in the protected 
329 
area management plans. The national and local government units shall likewise ensure 
330 
that local ordinances pertaining to the environment are consistent with the management 
331 
plan.   
332 
The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect other fees which they have 
333 
traditionally collected, such as business permits and rentals of LGU facilities: Provided, 
334 
That the LGUs shall not impose property tax on properties owned by the government 
335 
nor issue any tax declarations for areas covered by the protected area. Furthermore, 
336 
LGUs may charge add-ons to fees imposed by the PAMB: Provided, That such add-ons 
337 
shall be based on the contribution of the LGUs in the maintenance and protection of the 
338 
protected area. 
339 
 
340 
Article IV – Utilization of Resources 
341 
 
342 
 
SECTION 15. Energy Resources. – Any exploration, exploitation or utilization 
343 
of non-renewable resources such as, but not limited to, minerals, gas and oil within the 
344 


PIPS shall not be allowed. Energy projects shall be allowed only through an act of 
345 
Congress. 
346 
 
347 
 
SECTION 16. Areas under the Management of Other Departments and 
348 
Government Instrumentalities. – Should there be any portion of PIPS fall under the 
349 
jurisdiction of government instrumentalities other than the DENR, such jurisdiction 
350 
shall remain in the said department or government instrumentality: Provided, That the 
351 
DENR shall retain its oversight function over such protected area, and the concerned 
352 
agency shall provide annual reports on the management of said areas focusing on the 
353 
conservation of the biodiversity therein. 
354 
 
355 
Article V – Special Prosecutors and Retained Counsel 
356 
 
357 
 
SECTION 17. Special Prosecutors. – There shall be special prosecutors appointed 
358 
by the Department of Justice to prosecute violations of laws, rules and regulations in the 
359 
protected area. The special prosecutors shall coordinate with the PAMB and the PASU 
360 
in the performance of duties and assist in the training of wardens and rangers in arrest 
361 
and criminal procedures.  
362 
 
363 
SECTION 18. Retained Counsels. – The PAMB may retain the services of counsel 
364 
to prosecute cases under the direct control and supervision of the regular or special 
365 
prosecutor. Said counsel shall also represent and defend the members of the PAMB, 
366 
PASU and the staff, or any DENR-deputized individual and volunteer, against any legal 
367 
action arising from the performance of their powers, functions and responsibilities as 
368 
provided in this Act. 
369 
 
370 
Article VI – Proceeds and Fees  
371 
 
372 
 
SECTION 19. Panaon Island Protected Seascape Fund (PIPSF). – There is hereby 
373 
established a Panaon Island Protected Seascape Fund (PIPSF) for purpose of financing 
374 
the projects and sustaining the operation of protected areas and the System. Income 
375 
generated from the operation and management of protected area shall accrue to the 
376 
PIPLF.  
377 
 
378 
The income shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of resources and 
379 
facilities of protected areas; contributions from industries and facilities directly 
380 
benefiting from the protected area; and such other fees and income derived from the 
381 
operation of the protected area.  
382 
 
383 
The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through 
384 
the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained Income 
385 
Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the locality: 
386 
Provided, That disbursement out of such deposits shall be used solely for the protection, 
387 
maintenance, administration, and management of the protected area and 
388 
implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB. 
389 
 
390 


The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a 
391 
special account in the General Fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing 
392 
the projects of the System. 
393 
 
394 
The PIPLF may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various 
395 
sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions. These shall be 
396 
deposited in full in a special account in the National Treasury to be used for the purpose 
397 
specified in the deeds and instruments covering them. The PAMB shall have the sole 
398 
power to decide on the use of its funds from whatever source.  
399 
 
400 
Voluntary or legislated payments for ecosystem goods and services, including fines, 
401 
penalties, and compensation for damages from protected area offenses shall accrue fully 
402 
to the PA-RIA and shall be managed by the PAMB. 
403 
 
404 
The use of the PIPLF shall be in accordance with existing accounting, budgeting, 
405 
and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the PIPLF shall not be used 
406 
to cover personal services expenditures. 
407 
 
408 
 
SECTION 20. Tax Exemption. – All grants, bequests and endowments, 
409 
donations and contributions made to the protected area fund to be used actually, 
410 
directly, and exclusively by the protected area, shall be exempted from donor's tax and 
411 
shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor for the 
412 
purpose of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions 
413 
of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
414 
 
415 
Article VII – Prohibited Acts and Penalties 
416 
 
SECTION 21. Prohibited Acts and Penalties – 
417 
(a) A fine of not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000) but 
418 
not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000) or imprisonment from one (1) 
419 
year but not more than six years, or both, plus damages of triple the value of the 
420 
said resources, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who commits the 
421 
following acts: 
422 
(1) Poaching, killing, destroying, disturbing of any wildlife 
423 
including in private lands within the protected area; 
424 
(2) Hunting, taking, collecting, or possessing of any wildlife, or by-
425 
products derived therefrom, including in private lands within the 
426 
protected area without the necessary permit, authorization or exemption, 
427 
except those authorized by the PASU for culling, scientific research, the 
428 
exemptions provided under Section 27(a) of Republic Act No. 9147 
429 
(Wildlife Resources, Conservation and Protection Act) or harvests of 
430 
nonprotected species in multiple-use zones by tenured migrants and IPs; 
431 
(3) Cutting, gathering, removing or collecting timber within the 
432 
protected area including private lands therein, without the necessary 
433 
permit, authorization, certification of planted trees or exemption as duly 
434 
recognized practices of the IPs/ICCs for subsistence purposes; 
435 
(4) Possessing or transporting outside the protected area any 
436 
timber, forest products, wildlife, or by-products derived therefrom which 
437 
are ascertained to have been taken from the protected area other than 
438 


exotic species, the culling of which has been authorized under an 
439 
appropriate permit; and 
440 
(5) Using any fishing or harvesting gear and practices or any of 
441 
their variations that destroys coral reefs, seagrass beds or other marine life 
442 
and their associated habitats or terrestrial habitat as may be determined 
443 
by the DA or the DENR; Provided, That mere possession of such gears 
444 
within the protected areas shall be prima facie evidence of their use. 
445 
 
446 
(b) A fine of not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (200,000) but not 
447 
more than One million pesos (P1,000,000) or imprisonment from one (1) year 
448 
but not more than six years, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who 
449 
commits the following acts: 
450 
 
451 
(1) Dumping, throwing, using, or causing to be dumped into or 
452 
places in the protected area of any toxic chemical, noxious or poisonous 
453 
substance or nonbiodegradable material, untreated sewage or animal 
454 
waste or products whether in liquid, solid or gas state, including pesticides 
455 
and other hazardous substances as defined under Republic Act No. 6969, 
456 
otherwise known as the "Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear 
457 
Waste Control Act of 1990' detrimental to the protected area, or to the 
458 
plants and animals or inhabitants therein; 
459 
(2) Operating any motorized conveyance within the protected area 
460 
without permit from the PAMB; 
461 
(3) Altering, removing, destroying or defacing boundary marks or 
462 
signs; 
463 
(4) Engaging in 'kaingin' or, any manner, causing forest fires inside 
464 
the protected area;  
465 
(5) Mutilating, defacing, destroying, excavating, vandalizing or, in 
466 
any manner damaging any natural formation, religious, spiritual, 
467 
historical sites, artifacts and other objects of natural beauty, scenic value 
468 
or objects of interest to indigenous communities; 
469 
(6) Damaging and leaving roads and trails in damaged condition; 
470 
(7) Littering or depositing refuse or debris on the ground or in 
471 
bodies of water; 
472 
(8) Possessing or using blasting caps or explosives anywhere within 
473 
the protected area; 
474 
(9) Occupying or dwelling in any public land within the protected 
475 
area without clearance from the PAMB; and 
476 
(10) Constructing, erecting, or maintaining any kind of structure, 
477 
fence or enclosure, conducting any business enterprise within the 
478 
protected area without prior clearance from the PAMB and permit from 
479 
the DENR, or conducting these activities in a manner that is inconsistent 
480 
with the management plan duly approved by the PAMB. 
481 
(11) Undertaking mineral exploration or extraction within the 
482 
protected area 
483 
 
484 
(c) A fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) daily shall be imposed on the 
485 
owner of existing facilities within a protected area if the existence of the same 
486 


and its future plans and operations will be detrimental to the protected area. For 
487 
every continuing violation, or if the violation continues to be committed for thirty 
488 
(30) days and upon reaching a total fine of Five hundred thousand pesos 
489 
(P500,000), the PAMB through the PASU and other deputized government 
490 
entities, shall cause the cessation of operation and either forfeit in favor of the 
491 
PAMO or demolish the facility at the cost of its owner. If the facility is 
492 
government-owned, the agency in change shall submit a plan for a substitute 
493 
facility that complies with the protected area standards and, within one (1) year, 
494 
execute the approved protected area management plan. 
495 
 
496 
(d) Administrative fines of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000), 
497 
but not exceeding Five million pesos (P5,000,000), shall be imposed by the 
498 
DENR Secretary for the violation of any rule, regulation, or provision of any 
499 
agreement reached with the PAMB: Provided, That if an area which has sustained 
500 
damage from any activity conducted therein requires rehabilitation or restoration 
501 
as determined by the court, the offender shall be required to restore of pay 
502 
compensation for damage, which payment shall accrue to the PIPSF. 
503 
 
504 
(e) In any event, including those not expressly provided in this Act, the 
505 
provisions of Republic Act 11038, otherwise known as the Expanded National 
506 
Integrated Protected Areas System Act, will apply. 
507 
 
508 
Article VIII – Miscellaneous Provisions 
509 
 
510 
 
SECTION 22. Reporting Responsibility. – The PASU, through the Panaon Island 
511 
PAMB, shall submit an annual accomplishment report of the protected area to the 
512 
Secretary of DENR through the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). A report on 
513 
the conditions and benefits of the biological resources and ecosystem services of the 
514 
protected area shall also be submitted by the PASU, through channels, to the Secretary 
515 
of the DENR every five (5) years. Consequently, the BMB shall likewise prepare a 
516 
National State of Protected Areas (NSPAs) report every five (5) years and shall submit 
517 
the same to the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
518 
 
519 
 
SECTION 23. Appropriations. – In order to carry out the purposes of this Act, 
520 
an annual aggregate amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P 50,000,000.00) shall be included 
521 
in the annual General Appropriations Act and allocated for the use of PIPS. Thereafter, 
522 
the Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include in the DENR's annual program of 
523 
implementation of this ACT, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 
524 
General Appropriations Act. 
525 
 
526 
 
SECTION 24. Construction and Interpretation. - The provisions of this Act shall 
527 
be construed liberally in favor of the protection and rehabilitation of the protected area 
528 
and the conservation and restoration biological diversity taking into account the needs 
529 
and interests of qualified tenured migrants, vested rights, IPs and local communities, and 
530 
the benefits from ecosystem services and functions of protected areas, for present and 
531 
future generations: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall be construed as a diminution 
532 
of local autonomy or in derogation of ancestral domain rights under the Indigenous 
533 
Peoples' Rights Act of 1997, whenever applicable. 
534 


 
535 
SECTION 25. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
536 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall 
537 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
538 
 
539 
 
SECTION 26. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
540 
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are 
541 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
542 
 
543 
 
SECTION 27. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
544 
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
545 
circulation. 
546 
 
547 
 
Approved.  
548 
 
549 
 
550