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Republic of the Philippines * owe, JUL 0 9 2019
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |) _ Te,

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__1775

Introduced by Representative Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish the Hinakpan Mystical Hills as a natural
monument and to include it in the list of protected areas under Section 5(a.1) of
Republic Act 7586 as amended by Republic Act 11038 or the “Expanded
National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018”.

In recognition of the importance of natural ecosystems and the preservation
of their economic and socio-cultural significance to the inhabitants therein, the
State is empowered to enact policies for environmental protection and
conservation. It is the shared demand and desire of the local government officials
and constituents of the First District of Negros Oriental to declare the Hinakpan
Mystical Hills as a natural monument and to further its development as an
ecotourism site.

The Hinakpan Mystical Hills is a group of conical limestone peaks in the
highland of Guihulangan City, Negros Oriental, ‘The hills are scattered in the
village of Hinakpan, which is situated midway between the city proper of
Guihulngan and Isabela town of Negros Occidental, The picturesque barangay of
Hinakpan was named after the hardwood known as “takpan” trees which are
abundant in the area, The hills are distributed around the village in varying sizes
and shape, nearly resembling the Chocolate Hills of Bohol.

The Hinakpan Mystical Hills has a total area of 1,331.24 hectares. It has
unique biophysical features worthy to be promoted and conserved. High in floral
and faunal species diversity, its natural and wildlife resources is also a vital
component of the efforts to enhance the livelihood and economic condition of the
local community.


In view of this, the approval of this bill seeks to ensure that there will be
adequate protection and conservation measures, coordinated management
schemes to safeguard its biodiversity, as well as the necessary funding for the
sustainability of its operations. It will formalize and enforce the mechanism for
the long-term protection of this natural land formation. It shall also prevent
environmental deterioration which threatens not only the plant and animal species
of Hinakpan Mystical Hills but also the survival of its local inhabitants.

Pursuant to the constitutional mandate of advancing the right of people to
a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO__1775

Introduced by Representative Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong

AN ACT DECLARING THE HINAKPAN MYSTICAL HILLS IN THE
CITY OF GUIHULNGAN, NEGROS ORIENTAL AS A PROTECTED
AREA UNDER THE CATEGORY OF NATURAL MONUMENT,
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Hinakpan
Mystical Hills Natural Monument (HHNM) Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to advance the
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. Towards this end, the
State shall ensure the protection and conservation of the biodiversity, landscape,
and the existing flora and fauna of the Hinakpan Mystical Hills, in order to
promote its biological, economic, and socio-cultural significance to the people of
Negros Oriental.

SEC. 3. Categorization as a Natural Monument — The Hinakpan Mystical
Hills is hereby declared to be included in the list of protected areas under Section
5(a.1) of Republic Act 7586 as amended by Republic Act 11038 or the “Expanded
National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018”. It shall be categorized
as a natural monument which under Section 4(x) of the same law has been defined
as “a relatively small area focused on the protection of small features to protect


or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special
interest or unique characteristics.”

SEC. 4. Scope and Coverage — The boundaries of the Hinakpan
Mystical Hills are as follows:

Core Zone
Beginning at a point marked “1” which is N 83° 48° 26” E, 7,226.09 meters

from BLLM 1, PLS-266 with geographic coordinates of 10°9'42.338" — North
and 123°11'9.32" East covering a total area of 1,331.24 hectares.

LINE BEARING DISTANCE (meters)
1-2 N 85° 9° 43” W 1717.00
2-3 N74° 40° 77 W 1836.60
3-4 N 24° 0° 30” W 538.65
4-5 N 13° 0 11° E 598.11
5-6 N 55° 48’ 21” E 560.59
6-7 N 14° 417 58” W 982.60
7-8 N 53° 17° 19" E 780.51
8-9 N 34° 56° 16” E 795.04
9-10 S 87° 22° 45" E 1018.02
10-11 S 54° 43° 52” E 823.25
11-12 S 32° 10° 32” E 3460.99
12-1 S 63° 10° 12” W 1412.89

Buffer Zone

Beginning at a point marked “1” on plan which is N 83° 48° 26” E, 7,226.09
meters from BLLM 1, PLS-266 with geographic coordinates of 10°9'42.338" North
and 123°11'9.32" East covering a total area of 58.83 hectares.

LINE BEARING DISTANCE (meters)
12 S 10° 31° 43" E 41.65
23 N 85° 9° 25” W 1731.52
3-4 N 74° 40° 12” W 1859.32
4-5 N 24° 00° 24” W 570.77
5-6 N 12° 58° 28" E 627.07
6-7 N 55° 47’ 36" E 548.28
7-8 N 14° 41° 45° W 981.36
8-9 N 53° 17° 29" E 800.95
9-10 N 34° 56°31" E 810.63

10-11 S 87° 23 30" E 1052.28


11-12 S 54° 42’ 36" E 843.01

12-13 S 32° 10° 37° E 3512.59
13-14 S 63° 10° 16” W 1468.91
14-15 N 10° 31° 43” W 41.65
15-16 S$ 63° 10° 12” W 1412.89
16-17 S 32° 10° 32” E 3460.99
17-18 S 54° 43° 52° E 823.25
18-19 S 87° 22’ 45" E 1018.02
19-20 N 34° 56° 16” E 795.04
20-21 N 53°17 19° E 780.51
21-22 N 14° 41° 58” W 982.60
22-23 N 55° 48° 21" E 560.59
23-24 N 13° 00° LI? E 598.11
24-25 N 24° 00° 30” W 538.65
25-26 N 74° 40° 077 W 1836.60
26-1 N 85° 9° 43" W 1717.00

SEC. 5. Management and Institutional Mechanisms — The Hinakpan
Mystical Hills as a protected area shall be managed in accordance with Republic
Act 7586 as amended by Republic Act 11038. Under the supervision of the
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), a Protected Area Management
Office (PAMO) shall be established and headed by the Protected Area
Superintendent (PASU) in conformity with Section 11 of the same law, as
amended.

SEC. 6. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, together with the Department of Tourism,
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Appropriations — The Secretary of DENR shall immediately
include in the Department’s Program the implementation of this Act, the funding
of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected shall
continue to be in full force and effect.


SEC. 9. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation,

Approved,