Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse sino, 5484

Introduced by the Representative Ruby M. Sahali

AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCALLY MANAGED CONSERVATION
AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES, ADOPTING BUD BONGAO LOCAL
CONSERVATION AREA AS PILOT SITE AND OTHER PURPOS!

THEREOF; INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR ITS.
IMPLEMENTATION.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Local management is an increasingly relevant management framework approach in
conservation. It empowers and capacitates multi-stakeholders in the community to have the
full control in steering forward community-based efforts in the preservation and conservation
of a specifically identified natural resource within the coverage arca of the community. Local
management ensures the sustainability and continuity of the conservation effort because the
people themselves take ownership. It is designed to complement and support established
legislation frameworks such as the NIPAS ACT of 1992 for the protection and management
of the country’s natural resources.

Examples of these conservation efforts were the New Conservation Areas in the
Philippines Project (NewCAPP) and Strengthening the Management of Bud Bongao Local
Conservation Area (BBLCA).

‘The NewCAPP was a 5-year collaboration between the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (formerly the Protected Areas and
Wildlife Bureau or PAWB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
through the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines
(WWF-Philippines), locally known as KabangKalikasan ng Pilipinas Foundation, Inc.
(KKPFI) was the Local Responsible Partner for TawiTawi site of the Project

The project was able to map out the boundaries for Bud Bongao and Bud Kabugan and
identified the former as a conservation area while the later as a production area. A


Biodiversity Assessment, together with Policy and Land Information; Socio-Economic and
Institutional Assessment; and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) framework
were also created. These studies and assessments served as basis for 4 major outcomes—the
formulationand adoption of the Bud Bongao Management Plan; the declaration of Bud
Bongao as a locally managedconservation area; the declaration of March 1 as Bud Bongao
Day and the creation of the Bud Bongao Management Council (BBMC)

Strengthening the management of the BBLCA was a project supported by The
Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF) and is also implemented by
WWF-Philippines’ KKPFI. The project enabled the BBMC to manage the conservation area
by strengthening its capacity. The major outcomes were the creation and adoption of an
operations manual for the council members; installation of boundary markers in the
conservation area and mobilization of community volunteers in the conduct of activities
aimed at raising awareness on BBLCA importance; the role of BBMC and the establishment
ofa tree nursery near the entry point going to the peak.

The BBLCA was declared a Local Conservation Area (LCA) under the Municipal
Ordinance Number 202 Series of 2013 and is the first LCA in the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao. tis a collaborative effort of multi-sectoral partnerships in Tawi-Tawi with
the Bongao Local Government Unit, and the good people of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi playing a
substantive role for sustainable development.

‘The BBLCA is currently being locally managed under the flagship of the Bud Bongao
Management Council (BBMC), a multi-sectoral stakeholders in Tawi-Tawi composed of the
local government unit, people’s organizations, line agencies, traditional and spiritual leaders,
non-government organizations, the youth, and the Barangay residents covered by the area of
‘conservation.

Bud Bongao has been locally declared an area for conservation in the Province of
Tawi-Tawi because it is one of the remaining moist forests in the Philippines. It is home to
endemic flora and fauna, and for its spiritual significance to the people of the Sulu
Archipelago. The increasing threats of human activities due to the increasing population of the
Municipality of Bongao have raised the urgency for the protection and conservation of this
forest patches in Bud Bongao.

There are several locally-managed conservation areas in the country, the need to
strengthen these locally managed conservation areas of forest patches and other natural
resources is an indispensable key to ensuring continuity and sustainability of community-
based efforts in ensuring the future of the future generation.

pope SAHALI

Lone District, Tawi-Tawi


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5484

HOUSE BILL NO’

Introduced by Representative Ruby M. Sahali

AN ACL STRENGTHENING LOCALLY MANAGED CONSERVATION
AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES, ADOPTING BUD BONGAO LOCAL,
CONSERVATION AREA AS PILOT SITE AND OTHER PURPOSES

THEREOF; INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR ITS
IMPLEMENTATION.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled!
SECTION 1: Title ~ This shall be known as “Locally Managed Conservation Areas” Act.

SEC

“TION 2: Declaration of Policy ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to support,

complement, and strengthen locally managed conservation efforts in communities, for the
protection and conservation of forest patches and other natural resources; to protect and preserve

the culture and traditions of indigenous people; and ensure its continuity and sustainability

SECTION 3: Scope - This Act shall cover all locally managed conservation areas in the Philippines,

adopting Bud Bongao Local Conservation Area as Pilot Site

SECTION 4, Definition of Terms —For purpose of this Act, the following terms are defined
as follows:

(a) “Bud Bongao Management Council” (BBMC) refers to the community of multi-
sectoral stakeholders in Tawi-Tawi managing the Bud Bongao Local Conservation
Area;


(b) “Bud Bongao Local Conservation Area” (BBLCA) reters to the conservation
area in the Municipality of Bongao, Province of Tawi-Tawi, the pilot site for this
Act;

(©) “Local Conservation Area” (LCA)refers to identified portions of land and/or
water set aside for their ecological, natural values, cultural and taditional
significance to the locality;

ectoral stakeholders
mission and vision,

(d) “Local Management Council” (LMC) refers to the multi:
who will ensure the realization of a Local Conservation Area
mandate and objectives;

(¢) Locally-Managed Conservation Area refers to conservation areas where
different sectors of the communities are involved through collaborative and
Participative process, in ensuring effective management and conservation of the
habitat, flora and fauna of conservation areas so they can continue to provide
ecosystems goods and services to the people.

SECTION 5. Adoption of Bud Bongao Local Conservation Area as Pilot Site. Bud Bongao
having been the first local conservation area to be declared in the Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and having demonstrated an effective management of LCA
through collaborative efforts of different sectors in the community, is hereby recognized as the
pilot site for the strengthening of other LCAs in the Philippines. As pilot site, the measures
taken in the management, conservation and protection of Bud Bongao shall serve as model for
the strengthening of other LCAs in the country.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Joint Management Coordination Committee. The provincial
government where the LCA is situated shall create and mobilize a Joint Management
Coordination Committee (JMCC). The JMCC is an advisory body and shall have the primary
role to provide guidance for the overall strategic direction to the LCAMC in carrying out project and
activities pertaining to conservation and protection of conservation areas. It shall also provide guidance
in project planning, resource mobilization and building linkages with other LCAMC.

The JMCC shall be composed of Vice Governor as Chair of the Committee; DENK PAWB, DENR
PENRO, Provincial Planning Development Officer, PNP Provincial Office, Provincial Tourism Ofticer,
Academe, Rescarch Institutions, Business Sector, as members. The members of the JMCC shall have a
term of four (4) y

rs.

SECTION 7. Creation of Local Conservation Area Management Council. Local government
units that have adopted local conservation areas shall create, through an ordinance, local
conservation area management council (LCAMC). The LCAMC shall be tasked to formulate
policies for the sustainable development and conservation, management, protection and utilization
of the natural resources of all the conservation areas within the jurisdiction of the local government
‘The LCAMC shall have four regular meetings each year, or one meeting every quarter,

‘The LCAMC shall be composed of the following:


a) Chairman: Mayor
b) Vice Chairman: Vice Mayor
©) Members: SB Committee on Health and Environment
SB Committee on Tourism
SB Committee on Appropriation and Budget
City/Municipal Planning Development Coordinator (MPDC)
C/MENRO-DENR
Chairs of Barangays covered by the Conservation Area
Accredited CSO (Local People’s Organization)
Religious Sector or Traditional Leader whose territory or portion is included in
the conservation area
Accredited Environmental Non-Government Organization
Chief of Police
Appropriate branch of Armed Forces of the Philippines

‘A member from local people’s organization and environmental NGO who shall be
appointed as members of LCAMC shall be endorsed by heads of organizations, and shall have
aterm of 4 years

An environmental non-government organization shall be preferably based in the area or
has established and recognized interest in the conservation area, and shall have a term of 4

ars.

SECTION 7. Duties and Functions of the LCAMC. The LCAMC shall have the following
duties and functions 2

a)
b)
©)
d)

°)
i)

Decide on matters relating to planning, adi
Formulate specific policies and guidelines for the management of the LCA;

Approve proposals, work plans, action plans and guidelines for the management of the LCA:
Prepare and submit annual program of actions, proposed budget, progress and monitoring
reports to the Sangguniang Bayan and Office of the Mayor;

Promulgate rules and regulations to promote development programs on biodiversity
conservation and sustainable development consistent with the plan; and

Serve as a forum to regularly review, evaluate and resolve issues of significance affecting the
LCA.

nnistration, protection and enforcement in the LCA

SECTION 8: Creation of Local Conservation Area Office. Within two (2) years afier the creation of
LCAMC and JMCC, a local conservation area shall be established,

A_ LCA Management Office (LCAMO) shall be created to oversee the da

to-day operations of the

Conservation Area. Its functions shail be defined in the LCA Management Plan,


The stat of the LCA Management shall serve as the regular professional and technical statf of the LCA
Management Office who shall provide the machinery to coordinate the policy and functions, implement
programs, and organize services as required by the Council in the governance, implementation, and
policy direction

A. ‘The LCA Management Office shall have following duties and functions:
Serve as the secretariat of the council;
Implement the management plan;
Coordinate with and ensure the participation of government agencies, NGOs, local
communities, religious leaders, private sector and other groups in the conduct of activities
related to the conservation area;
4. Develop proposals for funding of external institutions for special activities such as research,
capability strengthening, community support generation and support i
5. Enforce all the policies and regulations promulgated by the LCAMC;
6. Monitor the activities and operation of the park in conformity with the management plan.

Section 9: Acknowledgement ~ The original proponents of the pertinent documents including
but not limited to the Manual of Operation of the Bud Bongao Local Conservation Area, The
Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), WWF-Philippines/ KKPFI and
the Bud Bongao Management Council shall be properly acknowledged

SECTION 10, Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ Within one hundred eighty (180) days
upon the effectivity of this Act, the Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be developed
and formuiated by the Deparment of Environment and Natura Resources, Department of
Interior and Local Government, and at least five (5) representatives from the Civic Society
Organizations and People’s Organizations, with technical assistance from non-government
organizations.

SECTION 11. 4ppropriations ~ Funding for the implementation of this Act, shall be included in
the annual General Appropriation Act (GAA) of the Provincial Government

SECTION 12. Separability Clause- If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, such
declaration shall not affect the other parts of sections hereof,

‘TION 13, Repealing Clause ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executives, or rules and
regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act be deemed or modifies accordingly.

SECTION 14, Effectivity Clause- This shall effect
1 two (2) newspapers of general circulation

jeen (15) days afier its complete publication

Approved,

Fab ah.