SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
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Senate Bill No. 10 4 6 
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Introduced by SENATOR PIA S~ CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare certain lakes near the area of Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur as 
a protected area. 
The Sinarapan Sanctuary, which covers a total aggregate area of 16,805 hectares, is 
home to the smallest fish in the world, the "Sinarapan". Notably, the Sinarapan is declared by 
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as Protected Species. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to declare the Sinarapan Sanctuary as a protected area in 
order to protect it from indiscriminate exploitation and to be able to maintain its ecological 
balance. 
Given the importance of biodiversity, it is deemed crucial that we act On this now to 
ensure that our children and the succeeding generations will inherit a living earth with all of its 
bountiful natural resources and vibrant wildlife. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly urged. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
} 
} 
} 
SENATE 
S. No. 
1046 
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO .' 
AN ACT 
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JUL 2 
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ESTABLISHING LAKES MANAPAO, KATUGDAY, DANAO AND MAKUAO LOCATED 
WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUHI, CAMARINES SUR AND THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
POLANGUI AND MALlNAO, ALBAY AS A PROTECTED AREA TO BE KNOWN AS THE 
SINARAPAN SANCTUARY, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Sinarapan Sanctuary (SS) Act of 
2 
2013". 
3 
SEC. 2. Establishment of the Sinarapan Sanctuary. - There is hereby declared as part 
4 
of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), pursuant to Republic Act No. 
5 
7586, certain lakes near the area of Lake Buhi, located in the Municipality of Buhi, Province 
6 
of Camarines Sur, under the category of wildlife sanctuary, to be known as the Sinarapan 
7 
Sanctuary. 
8 
SEC. 3. Land Classification. - All lands and bodies of water of the public domain 
9 
compriSing the Sinarapan Sanctuary shall fall under the classification of National Park as 
10 
provided for in the Philippine Constitution. 
11 
SEC. 4. Scope and Coverage. - The Sinarapan Sanctuary covers the area of Lake 
12 
Manapao and Lake Makuao, both located in Barangay San Ramon; Lake Katugday, located 
13 
between Barangay San Ramon and Barangay De Lafe in the Municipality of Buhi, Camarines 
14 
Sur; and Lake Danao, located in the boundary of Barangay Danao, Municipality of Polangui, 
15 
Albay and the Municipality of Buhi, near Barangay Makaangay. The areas covered by the 
16 
Sinarapan Sanctuary are more particularly described as follows: 
17 
A. 
LAKE MANAPAO 
18 
Beginning at corner "2", a point located S 75° 05' E, which is 712.296 meters from GPS 
19 
Control Point BUHI No.2, to corner 1 with longitude 123° 28' 41.3" and latitude 13° 24' 
20 
53.55"; 


thence 
N 76° 55' W 
28.315 meters to point 2 
2 
thence 
N 08° 10' W 
61.333 meters to point 3 
3 
thence 
N47"51'E 
58.465 meters t6 point 4 
4 
thence 
N63°18'E 
49.059 meters to point 5 
5 
thence 
N 35° 30' E 
44.953 meters to point 6 
6 
thence 
S 74° 48' E 
55.048 meters to point 7 
7 
thence 
S 60° 47' E 
46.434 meters to point 8 
8 
thence 
S 49° 38' E 
75.553 meters to point 9 
9 
thence 
S10019'E 
23.012 meters to point 10 
10 
thence 
S 34° 15' W 
51.043 meters to point 11 
11 
thence 
S 86° 02' W 204.060 meters to point 1 
12 
B. 
LAKE MAKUAO 
13 
Beginning at corner "3", a point located N 75° 08' W, about 138.333 meters from GPS 
14 
Control Point BUHI No.3, to corner 1 and with longitude 123° 28' 49.23" and latitude 13° 25' 
15 
21.55"; 
16 
thence 
N83°51'W 35.727 meters to point 2 
17 
thence 
N 70° 28' W 
59.038 meters to point 3 
18 
thence 
N 05° 03' E 
63.316 meters to point 4 
19 
thence 
N54°31'E 
61.480 meters to point 5 
20 
thence 
S 66° 34' E 
46.288 meters to point 6 
21 
thence 
S 18° 27' E 
56.832 meters to point 7 
22 
thence 
S 26° 32' W 
55.808 meters to point 1 
23 
C. 
LAKE KATUGDAY 
24 
Beginning at corner "5", a point located S 16° 15' W, which is about 533.870 meters 
25 
from GPS Control Point BUHI No.5, to corner 1 and with longitude 123° 29' 19.76" and 
26 
latitude 13° 25' 19.47"; 
27 
thence 
S 45° 52' E 
49.234 meters to point 2 
28 
thence 
S 20° 11' E 
49.104 meters to point 3 
29 
thence 
S 26° 28' W 
83.419 meters to point 4 
30 
thence 
S 26° 58' W 
42.951 meters to point 5 
31 
thence 
S 28° 44' W 157.389 meters to point 6 
32 
thence 
S 27" 10'W 50.100 meters to point 7 
33 
thence 
N 66° 11' W 
19.709 meters to point 8 
34 
thence 
N 02° 04' E 105.608 meters to point 9 
35 
thence 
N 24° 03' E 287.369 meters to point 1 


D. 
LAKE DANAO 
2 
Beginning at corner "20", a point located S 32° 12' E, about 906.042 meters from MBM 
3 
No. 20, Cad - 249 Malinao, Albay, to corner 1 and with longitude 123° 50' 0.68" and latitude 
4 
13° 25' 59.70"; 
5 
thence 
S 72° 42' E 
95.790 meters to point 2 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
thence 
S 72° 17' E 
49.700 meters to point 3 
S 49° 04' E 
73.090 meters to point 4 
S 15° 26' E 
72.930 meters to point 5 
S 04° 19'W 58.235 meters to point 6 
S 15° 21' W 140.892 meters to point 7 
S 57° 05'W 36.858 meters to point 8 
N 85° 27' W 
33.806 meters to point 9 
N 54° 18'W 27.816 meters to point 10 
N 23° 22' W 
89.264 meters to point 11 
N 62° 02' W 
29.337 meters to point 12 
S 48° 19' W 
30.556 meters to point 13 
N 88° 25' W 134.701 meters to point 14 
N 69° 39' W 
22.540 meters to point 15 
N 20° 34' W 
67.440 meters to point 16 
N01°17'W 121.160 meters to point 17 
N 45° 16' E 
75.590 meters to point 18 
N 70° 43' E 
59.760 meters to point 19 
N 82° 56' E 
39.210 meters to point 20 
N 76° 28' E 
67.440 meters to point 1 
25 
Within six months following the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Environment 
26 
and Natural Resources (DENR) shall mark the boundaries of the Sinarapan Sanctuary with 
27 
visible and permanent markers and shall thereafter see to it that the same are maintained. 
28 
The technical descriptions provided in this Act will be subject to ground survey and 
29 
verification to be conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 
30 
Any modification of the coverage of this Act due to such factors as changing ecological 
31 
situations, new scientific or archeological findings, or discovery of traditional boundaries not 
32 
previously taken into account shall be made through an act of Congress, after consultation 
33 
with the affected public and concerned government agencies. 
34 
SEC. 5. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined 
35 
as follows: 
36 
(a) "Ancestral domain" refers to all areas generally belonging to Indigenous Cultural 
37 
Communities or Indigenous People (ICCs/lPs) comprising lands, inland waters, coastal 
38 
areas, and natural resources therein, held under a claim of ownership, occupied or 


possessed by the ICCsIIPs, by themselves or thru their ancestors, communally or individually 
2 
since time immemorial, continuously to the present except if interrupted by war, force 
3 
majeure or displacement by force, deceit, stealth or as a consequence of government 
4 
projects or any other voluntary dealings entered into by government or public 
5 
individuals/corporations, and which are necessary to ensure their economic, social and 
6 
cultural welfare. It shall include ancestral lands, forests, pasture, residential, agricultural, and 
7 
other lands individually owned whether alienable and disposable or otherwise, hunting 
8 
grounds, burial grounds, worship areas, bodies of water, mineral and other natural resources, 
9 
and lands which may no longer be exclusively occupied by ICCslIPs but from which they 
10 
traditionally had access to for their sUbsistence and traditional activities, particularly the home 
11 
ranges of ICCs/lPs who are still nomadic and/or shifting cultivators. 
12 
(b) "Biodiversity" refers to variety and variability among living organisms and the 
13 
ecological complexes in which said organisms occur. 
14 
(c) "Bioprospecting" means the research, collection and utilization of biological and 
15 
genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived therefrom solely for 
16 
commercial purposes. 
17 
(d) "Buffer Zone" is the identified area outside the boundaries of and immediately 
18 
adjacent to designated Sinarapan Sanctuary that need special development control in order 
19 
to avoid or minimize harm to the Sinarapan Sanctuary. 
20 
(e) "By-product or derivatives" means any part taken or substance extracted from 
21 
wildlife, inraw or in processed form. This includes stuffed animals and herbarium specimens. 
22 
(e) "Collection or collecting" is the act of gathering or harvesting wildlife, its by-products 
23 
or derivatives. 
24 
(f) "Conservation" means sustainable utilization of wildlife, and/or maintenance, 
25 
restoration and enhancement of the habitat. 
26 
(g) "Endangered species" means species or subspecies of flora and fauna which is not 
27 
critically endangered but whose survival in the wild is unlikely if the causal factors continue 
28 
operating. 
29 
(h) "Endemic Species" means species or subspecies of flora and fauna which is 
30 
naturally occurring and found only within specific areas in the country. 
31 
(i) "Exotic Species" means species or subspecies of flora and fauna which do not 
32 
naturally occur within the protected area at present or in historical time. 
33 
0) "Habitat" means a place or type of environment where a species or subspecies 
34 
naturally occurs or has naturally established its population. 
35 
(k) "Hunting" refers to collection of wild fauna for food and/or recreational purposes with 
36 
the use of weapons such as guns, bow and arrow, spear and the like. 
37 
(I) "Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous People (ICC/ IPs)" refers to a group 
38 
of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and ascription by others, who 


have continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded and defined 
2 
territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, 
3 
possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, 
4 
traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, 
5 
social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became 
6 
historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. IPs shall likewise include peoples who 
7 
are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations which inhabited 
8 
the Country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-
9 
indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present state boundaries, who 
\0 
retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and p.olitical institutions, but who may 
11 
have been displaced from their traditional domains or who may have resettled outside their 
12 
ancestral domains. 
13 
(m) "Management plan" refers to the fundamental plan, strategy and/or scheme which 
14 
shall guide all activities relating to the Sinarapan Sanctuary in order to attain the objectives of 
15 
this Act. 
16 
(n) "Mineral" refers to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid, gas, liquid, or 
17 
any intermediate state including energy materials such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, 
18 
radioactive materials, and geothermal energy. 
19 
(0) "Multiple-use zones" refers to areas where settlement, traditional and/or sustainable 
20 
land use, including agriculture, agro-forestry, extraction activities, and other income-
21 
generating or livelihood activities may be allowed to the extent prescribed in the management 
22 
plan. 
23 
(p) "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)" is the classification and 
24 
administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes 
25 
and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of 
26 
resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent 
27 
possible. 
28 
(q) "NIPAS Act" refers to the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (NIPAS) of 
29 
1992 or Republic Act No. 7586, and its implementing rules and regulations. 
30 
(r) "National Park" refers to the land of the public domain classified as such in the 1987 
31 
Constitution which include all areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System 
32 
(NIPAS) pursuant to R.A. 7586 primarily designated for the conservation of native plants and 
33 
animals, their associated habitats and cultural diversity. 
34 
(s) "Non-governmental organization (NGO)" refers to an agency, institution, foundation 
35 
or a group of persons whose purpose is to assist peoples organizations/associations in 
36 
various ways including, but not Itmited to, organizing, education, training, research and/or 
37 
resource accessing. 


(t) "People's Organization (PO)" refers to a group of organized migrant communities and 
2 
or interested indigenous peoples which may be an association, cooperative, federation, or 
3 
other legal entity, established to undertake collective action to address community concerns 
4 
and needs, and mutually share the benefits of the endeavor. 
5 
(u) "Protected Area (PAl" refers to the identified portions of land and/or water set aside 
6 
by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological 
7 
diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation. 
8 
(v) "Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)" refers to a multi-sectoral policy-making 
9 
body for Sinarapan Sanctuary created in accordance with RA 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992. 
10 
(w) "Protected Landscape/Seascape" refers to an area of national significance which 
II 
are characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing 
12 
opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle 
13 
and economic activity of these areas. 
14 
(x) "Quarrying" means the process of extracting, removing and disposing quarry 
15 
resources found on or underneath the surface of private or public land. 
16 
(y) "Strict protection zone" is a natural area with high biodiversity value which shall be 
17 
closed to all human activity except for scientific studies and/or ceremonial or religious use by 
18 
the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples; may include habitats of threatened 
19 
species, or degraded areas that have been designated for restoration and subsequent 
20 
protection, even if these areas are still in various stages of regeneration. 
21 
(z) "Sustainable use" means the use of components of biological diversity in a way and 
22 
rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its 
23 
potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations. 
24 
(a a) "Tenured Migrants" refers to occupants who have actually and continuously 
25 
occupied a portion of the protected area and is solely dependent therein for subsistence. A 
26 
protected area occupant is understood to be "solely dependent for subsistence" when 
27 
everything indispensable for survival for the household, including food, clothing, shelter and 
28 
health, comes only from the utilization of resources from the protected area. 
29 
(bb) "Wildlife" means wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all developmental 
30 
stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated. 
31 
(cc) "Wildlife sanctuary" refers to an area which assures the natural conditions 
32 
necessary to protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or 
33 
physical features of the environment where these may require specific human manipulation 
34 
for the perpetuation of such species or groups of species. 
35 
SEC. 6. The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for Sinarapan Sanctuary. -
36 
There is hereby created a Protected Area Management Board for the Sinarapan Sanctuary 
37 
(PAMB-SS) which shall have the sole jurisdiction, power and authority over the Sinarapan 


Sanctuary for all matters that may affect biodiversity conservation, protection and sustainable 
2 
development. 
3 
In addition to the duties and functions enumerated in the implementing rules and 
4 
regulations of Act No. 7586, the NIPAS ACT, the PAMB-SS, 
which shall decide by 
5 
consensus or majority vote, shall have the following powers and functions: 
6 
(a) Issue rules and regulations to prohibit acts that may be prejudicial to the Sinarapan 
7 
Sanctuary and to the declaration of policy set forth under the NIPAS; 
8 
(b) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and 
9 
effective means; 
10 
(c) Adopt rules and procedures in the conduct of business, including the creation of 
11 
committees to which its powers may be delegated; 
12 
(d) Approve the management plan and oversee the office of the Protected Area 
13 
Superintendent (PASu); 
14 
(e) Establish criteria and set fees for the issuance of permits for activities regulated by 
15 
this Act or the management plan; 
16 
(f) Recommend the deputization of appropriate individuals, including local community 
17 
leaders, for the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct or 
18 
management of the Sinarapan Sanctuary; 
19 
(g) Approve fees and charges in accordance with DAO 51, Series of 2000 and raise 
20 
funds for the Sinarapan Sanctuary; 
21 
(h) Manage the allocation of the Sinarapan Sanctuary Protected Landscape Fund, and 
22 
other funds for the Sinarapan Sanctuary, ensure their proper administration and render 
23 
accounting; and 
24 
(i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government 
25 
authorities. 
26 
The DENR, through the Regional Executive Director (RED), shall ensure that the 
27 
PAMB-SS shall act within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between 
28 
administrative orders issued by the DENR pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 and the 
29 
resolutions issued by the PAMB-SS, the Secretary shall decide whether to apply the rule or 
30 
withdraw its application in the Sinarapan Sanctuary. 
31 
SEC. 7. Composition of the PAMB-SS. - The PAMB-SS shall be composed of the 
32 
following: 
33 
(a) The Regional Executive Director (RED) of the DENR-Region V, as chairperson; 
34 
(b) The Provincial Planning and Development Officers of the Provinces of Camarines 
35 
Sur and Albay; 
36 
(c) The Municipal Mayors of Buhi, Camarines Sur and the Municipal Mayors of Polangui 
37 
and Malinao, Province of Albay or their authorized representatives; 
38 
(d) One representative from each barangay covering the Sinarapan Sanctuary; 


(e) One representative from each tribal community residing within the Sinarapan 
2 
Sanctuary; 
3 
(f) At least two (2) representatives from local POs with stakes in the Sinarapan 
4 
Sanctuary, chosen from among themselves; 
5 
(9) At least three (3) representatives from the local NGOs with stakes in the Sinarapan 
6 
Sanctuary, chosen from among themselves; and 
7 
(h) One representative from government agencies involved in the Sinarapan Sanctuary 
8 
management. 
9 
Each member of the PAMB-SS shall serve for a term of five (5) years and shall be 
10 
considered to represent his or her sector and deemed to carry the vote of such sector in all 
II 
matters: In case of members who are govemment officials, the term of office shall be 
12 
attached to the office held. 
13 
The members of the PAMB-SS shall be appointed by the Secretary of the DENR in 
14 
conformity with the provisions of the NIPAS Act. As a transitory provision, the initial members 
15 
of the PAMB-SS shall be nominated from the current members of the interim PAMBs of the 
16 
five (5) component areas of the Sinarapan Sanctuary. Their nominations shall be conducted 
17 
in a joint meeting of the current members of the interim PAMBs duly called for the purpose: 
18 
Provided, further, that at least one- third (1/3) of the members shall be women. 
19 
In the selection of the representatives of POs and NGOs, preference shall be accorded 
20 
to those organizations that are involved in the conservation, protection and development of 
21 
the Sinarapan Sanctuary. Representation shall be by institution and shall aim to achieve 
22 
balance in representation by geographic location or areas. 
23 
The representatives from the local government units (LGUs) and national agencies in 
24 
the PAMB-SS shall include among their duties the appraisal of their respective constituents, 
25 
office or sector of PAMB-SS approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs 
26 
and projects and ensuring that the provisions of this Act are observed, complied with, and 
27 
used as reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, programs and projects. 
28 
Failure to comply with the foregoing shall subject such representative to disciplinary action as 
29 
the PAMB-SS may provide. 
30 
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
31 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance in 
32 
meeting of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by a resolution 
33 
of the Board, subject to existing rules and regulations. 
34 
The Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Office is hereby created within the DENR 
35 
regional office to be headed by the PASu who shall serve as the chief operating DENR 
36 
officer of the entire Sinarapan Sanctuary. The PASu shall report directly to the RED of the 
37 
DENR-Region V and shall be accountable to the PAMB-SS. The PASu and the PASu staff 


shall reside within the Sinarapan Sanctuary and establish an office and sub-offices within the 
2 
Sinarapan Sanctuary in order to implement this Act. 
3 
The PASu shall have full responsibility for the protection of land, water, wildlife and 
4 
other natural physical and biological resrouces with the Sinarapan Sanctuary. As such, the 
5 
PASu shall have the following duties and responsibilities, in addition to those provided under 
6 
RA 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992 and its implementing rules and regulations: 
7 
(a) Establish, operate and maintain a database management system as decision 
8 
support tool; 
9 
(b) Prepare the management plans as herein defined; 
10 
(c) Provide a secretariat for the PAMB-SS and supply the PAMB-SS with all the 
11 
information necessary to make appropriate decisions for the effective implementation of this 
12 
Act; 
13 
(d) Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the Sinarapan Sanctuary, institute 
14 
and file legal action independently or in collaboration with other government agencies or 
15 
organizations and assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of this Act; 
16 
(e) Monitor all activities within the Sinarapan Sanctuary in conformity with the 
17 
management plan; 
18 
(f) Recommend the issuance of permits based on terms, conditions and criteria 
19 
established by the PAMB-SS 
20 
(g) Ensure the integration of the Sinarapan Sanctuary management policies, regulations, 
21 
programs and projects at all the concerned national and Local Government Unit levels; and 
22 
(h) Perform such other functions as the PAMB-SS may delegate. 
23 
The PASU shall be supported by sufficient number of personnel who shall be 
24 
performing day to day management, protection and administration of the Sinarapan 
25 
Sanctuary. Upon the recommendation of the PAMB-SS, the DENR Regional Director shall 
26 
deputize local community leaders and environment and natural resource officers. 
27 
SEC. 9. Tenured Migrants and Other Sinarapan Sanctuary Occupants. -
Tenured 
28 
migrants shall be eligible to become stewards of portions of lands within allowable zones. 
29 
The PAMB-SS shall identify, verify and review all tenurial instruments, land claims, and 
30 
issuances of permits for resource use within the Sinarapan Sanctuary and recommend the 
31 
issuance of the appropriate tenure instrument consistent with the zoning provided in the 
32 
management plan and its successor plans. 
33 
Should areas occupied by tenured migrants be designated as zones in which no 
34 
occupation or other activities are allowed pursuant to the attainment of sustainable 
35 
development, provision for the transfer of said tenured migrants to multiple use zones or 
36 
buffer zones shall be accomplished through just and humane means. 
37 
In the event of termination of a tenurial instrument for cause or by voluntary surrender of 
38 
rights, the PASu shall take immediate steps to rehabilitate the area in order to return it to its 


natural state prior to the cultivation or other act by the tenured migrant. . 
2 
Other Sinarapan Sanctuary occupants who do not qualify as tenured migrants shall be 
3 
resettled outside the Sinarapan Sanctuary as determined by the PAMS-SS. The PAMS-SS 
4 
shall determine, plan and implement a definite schedule for resettling them outside of the 
5 
Sinarapan Sanctuary following the procedures set forth by existing law. 
6 
SEC. 10. Indigenous People's Rights. - Ancestral domain and other customary rights 
7 
and interests of indigenous communities within the Sinarapan Sanctuary shall be accorded 
8 
due recognition. The preservation of ancestral domain and customary rights shall be 
9 
considered as one of the management objectives. The maintenance, management and 
10 
development of ancestral domains which are found to be necessary for Sinarapan Sanctuary 
11 
will be pursuant to Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the "The 
12 
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA)". 
13 
The identification, delineation and recognition of ancestral domain claims within the 
14 
Sinarapan Sanctuary shall be conducted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples 
IS 
(NCIP) pursuant to the provisions the IPRA, and its implementing rules and regulations, in 
16 
coordination with the PAMS-SS. 
17 
SEC 11. Utilization of Resources. - Any exploitation of or utilization of nonrenewable 
18 
resources within the Sinarapan Sanctuary shall not be allowed. Energy projects within the 
19 
Sinarapan Sanctuary shall be allowed only through an act of Congress except energy from 
20 
wind, sun and water sources of not more than one (1) megawatt capacity for mini-hydro 
21 
power: Provided, That these renewable energy projects are established outside the strict 
22 
protection zone, adopt reduced impact technologies and undergo the Environmental Impact 
23 
Assessment (EIA) system as provided by law and: Provided, Furlher, that the PAMS-SS 
24 
endorsement has been obtained. 
25 
SEC. 12. Existing Facilities Within the Sinarapan Sanctuary. - Within sixty (60) days 
26 
from the effectivity of this Act, major existing facilities such as roads, buildings, water 
27 
systems, transmission lines, communication facilities, heavy equipment, and irrigation 
28 
facilities existing within the boundaries of the Sinarapan Sanctuary shall submit project 
29 
description to the PAMS-SS through the PASu. 
30 
The PAMS-SS, with the assistance of the DENR, shall determine whether the existence 
31 
of such facility and its future plan and operations will be detrimental to the Sinarapan 
32 
Sanctuary or whether conditions for its operation shall be imposed. If any such conditions are 
33 
violated, the owner of the facility shall be liable to pay a fine of Five thousand pesos 
34 
(P5,000.00) for every violation. Upon reaching a total fine of Five hundred thousand pesos 
35 
(P500,000.00), the PAMS-SS through the PASu and deputizing other government entities, 
36 
shall cause the cessation and demolition of the facility at the cost of its owner. 
37 
Existing facilities allowed to remain within the Sinarapan Sanctuary may be charged a 
38 
reasonable royalty by the DENR. All income from such royalty shall accrue to the Sinarapan 


--------------
Sanctuary Fund. 
2 
SEC. 13. Special Prosecutor and Retained Counsel. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
3 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall appoint a special prosecutor to 
4 
whom all cases of violation of laws, rules and regulations in the Sinarapan Sanctuary shall be 
5 
assigned. Such Special Prosecutor shall coordinate with the PAMB-SS and the PASu in the 
6 
performance of his/her duties and assist in the training of wardens and rangers in arrest and 
7 
criminal procedures. The PAMB-SS may retain the services of a counsel to prosecute and/or 
8 
assist in the prosecution of cases under the direct control and supervision of the regular or 
9 
special prosecutor and to defend the members of the PAMB-SS, the PASu and the staff, or 
10 
any person assisting in the protection, conservation and sustainable development of the 
II 
Sinarapan Sanctuary, against any legal action related to their powers, functions and 
12 
responsibilities as provided in this Act or as delegated or tasked by the PAMB-SS. 
13 
SEC. 14. Sinarapan Sanctuary Fund. - There is hereby established a trust fund to be 
14 
known as the Sinarapan Santuary Fund for purposes of financing projects of the Sinarapan 
15 
Sanctuary. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the income generated from the operation of the 
16 
Sinarapan Sanctuary or management of wild flora and fauna in the Sinarapan Sanctuary 
17 
shall accrue to the fund. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) shall go to the Integrated 
18 
Protected Areas Fund (IPAF) as established in the NIPAS Act of 1992. 
19 
Income shall be derived from visitors/tourists fee, fees from permitted sale and export 
20 
of flora and fauna and other resources from the Sinarapan Sanctuary, proceeds from the 
21 
registration and lease of multiple-use areas, including tourism concessions, fees, 
22 
proceeds, and contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the 
23 
Sinarapan Sanctuary and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the 
24 
Sinarapan Sanctuary. 
25 
The PAMB- SS may impose and Charge reasonable fees, such as but not limited to 
26 
water users fee for water extracted by commercial water extractors/distributors sourced and 
27 
generated from the protected area. Such fee structure may change as the PAMB- SS may 
28 
see fit. 
29 
The Sinarapan Sanctuary fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment 
30 
from various sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions: 
31 
Provided, That disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, 
32 
maintenance, administration and management of the system, and duly approved projects 
33 
endorsed by the PAMB-SS in accordance with existing accounting and budgeting rules 
34 
and regulations: 
Provided, further, That the fund shall not be used to cover personal 
35 
services expenditures. 
36 
The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein 
37 
Which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, and rentals of LGUs' 
38 
facilities: Provided, That the LGUs shall not impose property tax and issue tax declaration 


1 
for areas or properties located in timberland areas or areas previously classified as 
2 
national parks. Furthermore, LGUs may charge add-ons to fees imposed by the PAMB-SS: 
3 
Provided, That such add-ons shall be determined based on the contribution of the LGUs in 
4 
the maintenance and protection of the Sinarapan Sanctuary. 
5 
SEC.15. Prohibited Acts and Penalties . -
The following are the prohibitions and 
6 
penalties applicable to the Sinarapan Sanctuary, in addition to the prohibited acts as 
7 
provided in the NIPAS Act and its pertinent rules and regulations: 
8 
(A) The penalties in Articles 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal Code, depending on the 
9 
value of the resources involved in connection with the prohibited act, shall be imposed upon 
10 
any person who: 
11 
ill Takes, destroys, collects, disturbs or possesses any wild terrestrial or aquatic plants 
12 
or animals, flora or fauna, sand, rocks or by-products derived therefrom, within particularly 
13 
identified regulated or prohibited areas zones in the Sinarapan Sanctuary including private 
14 
lands without the necessary permit, authorization or exemption: Provided, That hunting of 
15 
animals shall be absolutely prohibited except for scientific research and for traditional hunting 
16 
by the IPs/ICCs; 
17 
(2) Cuts, gathers, removes or collects timber or any forest products, within particularly 
18 
identified regulated or prohibited areas or zones in the Sinarapan Sanctuary including private 
19 
lands without the necessary permit, authorization or exemption; 
20 
(3) Possesses or transports, within or outside the Sinarapan Sanctuary any timber, 
21 
forest products, wild terrestrial or aquatic plants, animals, flora or fauna, or by-product 
22 
derived therefrom which is ascertained to have been taken from the Sinarapan Sanctuary; 
23 
(4) Undertakes mineral exploration or extraction within the Sinarapan Sanctuary; 
24 
(5) Engages in quarrying of sand, gravel, guano, limestone or any material within the 
25 
Sinarapan Sanctuary; 
26 
(6) Hunts, collects, removes or destroys any endangered or protected species, except 
27 
when collection or removal is for scientific research and exempted from the prohibition by the 
28 
PAMB-SS; 
29 
(7) Conducts bioprospecting within the Sinarapan Sanctuary without prior PAMB-SS 
30 
approval in accordance with eXisting guidelines; or 
31 
(8) Establishes or introduces exotic species within the Sinarapan Sanctuary which are 
32 
detrimental to endemic species or without prior PAMB-SS approval. 
33 
(B) A fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.OO) nor more than Five hundred 
34 
thousand pesos (P500,OOO.00) and/or imprisonment from one (1) year but not more than six 
35 
(6) years shall be imposed upon any person who: 
36 
(1) Violates any rules and regulations in the management plan or by the PAMB-SS or 
37 
agreements reached before the PAMB-SS in the exercise of adjudicative functions; 


(2) Erects any structure on land or on water for any purposes outside the management 
2 
plan: Provided, That large-scale private infrastructure and other projects such as medium to 
3 
high density residential subdivisions, 
medium to large commercial and industrial 
4 
establishments, golf-courses, heavily mechanized commercial and non-traditional farming, 
5 
and other activities that cause increased in-migration, pollution and resource degradation are 
6 
absolutely prohibited; 
7 
(3) Possesses a chainsaw, hacksaw and other mechanized equipment within the 
8 
Sinarapan Sanctuary without a permit; 
9 
(4) Throws, dumps or causes to be dumped into the Sinarapan Sanctuary any non-
10 
biodegradable material or waste whether liquid, solid or gas; 
11 
(5) Uses, dumps, places or causes to be placed into the Sinarapan Sanctuary toxic 
12 
chemicals, including pesticides and other hazardous substances, unless the same is 
13 
expressly allowed in the management plan; 
14 
(6) Prospects, hunts or otherwise locates hidden treasures within the Sinarapan 
15 
Sanctuary; 
16 
(7) Informally occupies or dwells in any land within the Sinarapan Sanctuary without 
17 
clearance from the PAMS-SS; 
18 
(8) Posseses or uses blasting caps or explosives anywhere within the Sinarapan 
19 
Sanctuary; 
20 
(9) Destroys, excavates, vandalizes or, in any manner, damages any natural formation 
21 
on land, religiOUS, spiritual, historical sites, artifacts and other objects of natural or scenic 
22 
value; 
23 
(10) Alters, removes or destroys boundary marks or signs; 
24 
(11) Engages in kaingin, or, in any manner, causing forest fires inside the Sinarapan 
25 
Sanctuary; or 
26 
(12) Purchases, or sells, mortgages or leases lands or other portions of the Sinarapan 
27 
Sanctuary which are covered by any tenurial instrument. 
28 
Valuation of the damage for this Act shall take into account biodiversity and 
29 
conservation considerations as well as aesthetic and scenic value. Valuation assessed by the 
30 
DENR or the concerned government agency shall be presumed correct unless otherwise 
31 
proven by preponderant evidence. 
32 
Any person who shall induce another or conspire to commit any of the illegal acts 
33 
prohibited in this Act or suffer their workers to commit any of the same shall be liable in the 
34 
same manner as the one actually performing the act. 
35 
All conveyances, vessels, equipments, paraphernalia, implements, gears, tools and 
36 
similar devices shall be subject to immediate and administrative confiscation, independent of 
37 
the judicial proceedings by the PASu Office upon apprehension, subject however to due 
38 
process and substantial evidence requirements. When legal action is however filed in the 


regular courts, the said conveyances, vessels, equipments, paraphernalia, implements, 
2 
gears, tools and similar devices, independent of the administrative proceedings, shall not be 
3 
released until after judgment has been rendered. Proceeds of the sale of all objects 
4 
administratively or judicially confiscated pursuant hereto shall accrue to the Sinarapan 
5 
Sanctuary Fund. Procedure for the sale thereof shall be promulgated by the PAMB-SS. 
6 
However, in no case shall any confiscated. or rescued protected animal species be sold or in 
7 
any manner disposed of but shall be immediately turned over to the PASu Office for release 
8 
in its natural habitat, subject to existing regulations. 
9 
The penalties specified in this Section will be in addition to the penalties contained in RA 
10 
9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act), RA 9147 
11 
(Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act), and other related laws. 
12 
Conviction for any offense under this Act, of a public officer or officer of the law shall 
13 
carry the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office. 
14 
SEC. 16. Reporting Responsibility. - The PASu, through the PAMB-SS, shall submit an 
15 
annual accomplishment report to the Secretary of the DENR on the activities undertaken in 
16 
the Sinarapan Sanctuary. 
17 
SEC. 17. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include the 
18 
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included 
19 
in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
20 
SEC. 18. Construction and Suppletory Application of Existing Laws. - The provisions 
21 
of this Act shall be construed liberally in favor of achieving biodiversity, conservation, 
22 
protection and sustainable development. Provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise 
23 
known as the National Integrated Protected Areas Management Act of 1992, and existing 
24 
environmental and forestry laws not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall have 
25 
suppletory effect in the implementation of this Act. 
26 
SEC. 19. Transitory Provision. - In order to ensure the recovery and restoration of 
27 
biological diversity and to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities for tenured migrants, 
28 
the DENR shall henceforth cease to issue concessions, licenses, permits, clearances, 
29 
compliance documents or any other instrument that allows exploitation and utilization of 
30 
resources within the Sinarapan Sanctuary until the management plan shall have been put 
31 
into effect. 
32 
All existing land use and resource use permits within the Sinarapan Sanctuary· shall be 
33 
reviewed and shall not be renewed upon their expiration unless consistent with the 
34 
management plan and approved by the PAMB-SS. 
35 
SEC. 20. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part of this Act shall be declared 
36 
unconstitutional or invalid, such other parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
37 
effect. 


SEC. 21. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, proclamations, and rules and 
2 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified 
3 
accordingly. 
4 
SEC. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
5 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation available 
6 
in the Sinarapan Sanctuary. 
7 
Approved,