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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSEBILLNO.__6192

Introduced by HON, RENE L. RELAMPAGOS,
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The municipality of Loon in the province of Bohol, consisting of 67 barangays,
has been bestowed with rich marine paradise, natural lakes, waterfalls and mangrove
gardens, among others. The Cabilao and Sandingan islands, located in Loon, are
considered favorite tourist destinations. With the development of an international cruise
port in Catagbacan, Loon is viewed as an emerging giant in Bohol’s eco-cultural tourism
industry.

The entire islands of Cabilao (766 hectares) and Sandigan (569 hectares) were
proclaimed as Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves under Proclamation No. 2152 in 1981.
‘This was confirmed upon the passage of Republic Act 7586, or the National Integrated
Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

However, only the barangay of Canigaan and a portion of Calayugan of
Sandingan Island and Lake Danao in Barangay Pantudlan of Cabilao Island have actual
mangroves worthy to be protected and covered under the NIPAS Act. A big percentage
of these islands remain agricultural, residential and with very few commercial
establishments. These islands which have remained idle and unproductive for a long
time, once reclassified, will open the opportunity for tourism, business and economic
developments. These islands, like Panglao, will undoubtedly be hailed as one of the
world’s famous tourist destinations and another addition to Philippines’ pride once
developed as it boasts of beautiful diving spots sought after by diving enthusiasts.
Panglao is among the disestablished islands under the NIPAS Act.

Section 5 (4) of the NIPAS Act mandates that within three (3) years from
effectivity, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall study
and review each area composing the system as to its suitability or non-suitability for
preservation as protected area. However, more than twenty (20) years had elapsed, the
DENK has yet to submit a study and a review on the suitability or non-suitability of the
two (2) islands to be included in the system.

With the steady influx of tourists to these areas in recent years, demands for
transportation and accomodation complete with facilities must be met. Thus, it is the
desire of the local government that the inclusion of these islands under the NIPAS Act
be modified and limited to mangrove areas and natural lakes where migratory birds are
seen and unique species of fish are found. This will allow development of the area and
the improvement of transportation to the benefit of the constituents and tourists.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6192

Introduced by HON. RENE L. RELAMPAGOS
First District, Bohol

“AN ACT EXEMPTING THE ISLANDS OF CABILAO AND SANDINGAN IN
‘THE MUNICIPALITY OF LOON, PROVINCE OF BOHOL, FROM THE
COVERAGE OF THE MANGROVE FOREST RESERVES UNDER THE NIPAS
ACT OF 1992 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

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

\CTION 1. Dis-establishment as Protected Area. — Certain portions of the
ands of Cabilao and Sandingan with total areas of Seven Hundred Sixty Six H
(766 has) and Five Hundred Sixty Nine hectares (569 has), respectivi

in the
municipality of Loon, Bohol, are hereby excluded from the coverage of protected areas
under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, thereby,
causing the Lifting of the Ban in Titling of Lots of the islands, as provided under Rule 8
of DENR Administrative Order No. 2008-26.

SECTION 2. Correct Delineation of the Protected Areas in the Islands of Cabilao
and Sandingan. — The inclusion of these islands under the NIPAS Act will be modified
and limited to the actual mangrove areas and the natural lake where migratory birds are
seen and unique species of fish are found.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within three (3) months
following the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall issue the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,


Under the NIPAS Act, disestablishment of a protected area under the System or
modification of its boundary shall take effect pursuant to an Act of Congress. Hence, this
proposed legislation seeks to exclude certain portions of the islands of Cabilao and
Sandingan from the coverage of protected areas under the NIPAS Act and to lift the ban
in the titling of lots of the two islands which is greatly disadvantageous to the lot owners,
prejudicial to the welfare of its constitutents, and counter productive to the economic
development of the islands.

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

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REN!) i EZ RELAMPAGOS