NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
NO. 2204
of tl)? f?- '■ ?Uirv
23 HAY 16 P4:46
RHCEr.’tD B'
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
POLANGUI AND OAS, AND CITIES OF LIGAO AND TABACO, IN THE 
PROVINCE OF ALBAY, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF 
PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED 
AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE MT. MASARAGA PROTECTED 
LANDSCAPE, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, It is a declared policy that the State 
"shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology 
in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature/71 In line with safeguarding a 
healthful ecology, the Constitution likewise provides that Congress shall determine the 
national parks, which shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished, 
except by law.2
Pursuant to the said constitutional provisions, the National Integrated Protected 
Areas System (NIPAS) was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 7586, as 
amended by RA No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018". 
Cognizant of the exacting impact of diverse human activities on all components of the 
natural environment, the NIPAS Act declared it the policy of the State "to secure for
1 Article II, Section 16, 1987 Philippine Constitution
2 Article XII, Sec. 3, 1987 Philippine Constitution


the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of ail 
native plants and animals through the establishment of a comprehensive system of 
Integrated protected areas within the classification of national park as provided for in 
the Constitution." The system shall encompass ecologically rich, unique and 
biologically Important areas that are habitats of threatened species of plants and 
animals, blogeographic zones and related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland or 
marine, all of which shall be designated as 'protected areas'.3
To date, as of May 2023, there are already 114 protected areas in the 
Philippines that have been so declared through legislation. And yet, based on the 
records and various suitability assessments by the Biodiversity Management Bureau 
(BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), there are 
still numerous sites in the country that have to be given 'protected area7 status, by 
legislative action. In order to ensure its conservation.
The attached bill seeks to designate Mt. Masaraga, located in the 3rd District 
of the Province of Albay, as a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated 
Protected Areas System (NIPAS). It proposes a more comprehensive scope of 
protection than the existing Mt. Masaraga Watershed Forest Reserve (MMWFR), which 
currently focuses on preserving the mountain's utility as a source of water for 
irrigation, domestic use, and forestry.
The proposed Mt. Masaraga Protected Landscape (MMPL), encompassing 840 
hectares, includes barangays from the Municipalities of Oas and Polangui and the 
Cities of Ligao and Tabaco. At an elevation of 1,328 meters above sea level, Mt. 
Masaraga is situated northwest of Mayon Volcano. The terrain is characterized by 
steep, rugged slopes, with roughly 60% of the area susceptible to landslides.
Notably, Mt. Masaraga boasts a rich biodiversity and serves as an essential 
watershed for the Bicol River Basin. It plays a vital role in supporting agricultural
Section 2, RA No. 7586, as amended by RA 11038


productivity, sustainable tourism, protection against natural calamities such as 
typhoons and volcanic eruptions, and providing a clean and sustainable water source.
By declaring Mt. Masaraga a protected area, we can protect it from potential 
exploitation and damage. This includes harmful activities like kaingin (slash-and-burn 
agriculture), illegal logging, hunting, land grabbing, and irresponsible trekking. Our 
goal is to preserve the pristine beauty of the mountain and the diverse array of flora 
and fauna it harbors.
With the filing of the house bill declaring Mt. Masaraga as a protected landscape 
by Representative Fernando T. Cabredo of the 3rd District of Albay in the House of 
Representatives, I see the wisdom of filing this counterpart bill in the Senate.
In this connection, I earnestly recommend the approval of this bill.
CYMTHIA A. VILLAR ^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
2204
cf il;: ^rtr?rarp
23 liAY 16 P4 :46
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
POLANGUI AND OAS, AND CITIES OF LIGAO AND TABACO, IN THE 
PROVINCE OF ALBAY, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF 
PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED 
AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE MT. MASARAGA PROTECTED 
LANDSCAPE, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and referred to as the "Mt. Masaraga
2 
Protected Landscape Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Cognizant of the profound impact of human
4 
activity on all components of the natural environment, it is hereby declared the policy
5 
of the State to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations, the
6 
perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the declaration of
7 
protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) within
8 
the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution.
9 
In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and fauna,
10 
that are native and distinct to Mt. Masaraga, as well as their aesthetic and ecological
11 
importance, the area is hereby declared a protected area under the category of


1 
protected landscape and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Mt. Masaraga Protected
2 
Landscape (MMPL). As such, the State shall ensure the conservation, protection,
3 
management, and rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that effective
4 
administration of this area is possible only through cooperation among the National
5 
Government, local government units (LGUs), concerned nongovernmental
6 
organizations (NGOs), private entities, and local communities. The use and enjoyment
7 
of this area must be consistent with the principles of biological diversity and
8 
sustainable development.
9 
Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the
10 
mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the
11 
full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and the
12 
integrity of the ecosystems, and cultural and indigenous practices.
13 
Sec. 3. Classification as a National Park. - The MMPL is comprised of a parcel
14 
of land of the public domain located in the Municipalities of Oas and Polangui, and the
15 
Cities of Ligao and Tabaco, in the Province of Albay, the metes and bounds of which
16 
are described in Section 4 of this Act. All lands of the public domain within the coverage
17 
and scope of the MMPL shall fall under the classification of national park as provided
18 
for in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.
19 
Sec. 4. Scope and Coverage. -The boundaries of the Mt. Masaraga Protected
20 
Landscape are more particularly described as the area beginning at a point marked
21 
"1" on the Map being S 23° 42' 25" E., 630.514 meters from CBM - 11 with geographic
22 
coordinates of 13° 18' 41.126" N, 123°35'47.394"E with grid coordinates of
23 
1,472,076.895 N, 564,627.987 E located within the boundary of the Municipalities of
24 
Polangui and Oas and the Cities of Ligao and Tabaco,
2;
3;
4;
5;
25
thence
S 83°05' 20" W
694.833
meters to corner
26
thence
S 80°02' 58" W
604.821
meters to corner
27
thence
S 76033' 05" W
494.314
meters to corner
28
thence
N 59°55' 53"W
229.453
meters to corner


1
thence
N 76025' 46"W
311.792
meters to corner
6;
2
thence
N 53°14' 02"W
238.608
meters to corner
7;
3
thence
N 28027' 37"W
479.319
meters to corner
8;
4
thence
N 14°57' 31"E
267.003
meters to corner
9;
5
thence
N 64° 14' 48" W
217.535
meters to corner
10;
6
thence
N 34047' 21"W
227.781
meters to corner
11;
7
thence
N 44o04, 23"W
430.302
meters to corner
12;
8
thence
N 08°06' 56" E
550.965
meters to corner
13;
9
thence
N 42°52' 44" E
319.770
meters to corner
14;
10
thence
N 28041' 18"W
404.041
meters to corner
15;
11
thence
N 58°15,59" W
351.917
meters to corner
16;
12
thence
N 25°08'47" W
375.082
meters to corner
17;
13
thence
S 58°28' 59" E
621.379
meters to corner
18;
14
thence
N 32°05' 33" E
348.024
meters to corner
19;
15
thence
N 08°25' 37" E
272.801
meters to corner
20;
16
thence
N 45o00' 00"E
254.422
meters to corner
21;
17
thence
N 60o01’ 13" E
292.486
meters to corner
22;
18
thence
S 46° 58' 53" E
548.430
meters to corner
23;
19
thence
S 40o41' 09" E
1717.299
meters to corner
24;
20
thence
N 53°14,00" E
223.026
meters to corner
25;
21
thence
S 47°15' 53" E
1912.698
meters to corner
26;
22
thence
S 06°49/01" E
233.823
meters to corner
27;
23
thence
S 57°57/45" W
847.692
meters to corner
1,
24
and comprises eight hundred forty and 81/100 (840.81) hectares, more or less.
25 
Sec. 5. Establishment of Buffer Zones. - The Secretary of the Department of
26 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the
27 
Protected Area Management Board created under Section 6 of this Act, may designate
28 
areas surrounding the MM PL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra
29 
layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That in cases where


1 
the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be
2 
required to design their development with due consideration to the protected area
3 
management plan.
4 
ARTICLE II
5 
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
6 
Sec. 6. Protected Area Management Board. - Within ninety (90) days from the
7 
effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be created to
8 
oversee the management of the MMPL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:
9 
a) 
DENR Regional Executive Director for Region V, as Chairperson;
10 
b) 
Governor of the Province of Albay or a duly authorized representative;
11 
c) 
Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered
12 
residents of the Province of Albay, or their duly designated
13 
representatives, unless the Senators decline the membership in the
14 
PAMB;
15 
d) 
District Representative of the Congressional District where the MMPL is
16 
located, or a duly designated representative, unless the District
17 
Representative declines the membership in the PAMB;
18 
e) 
Mayors of the Municipalities of Oas and Polangul, and the Cities of Ligao
19 
and Tabaco, in the Province of Albay or their duly authorized
20 
representatives;
21 
f) 
Chairpersons of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the
22 
MMPL;
23 
g) 
Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely:
24 
Department of Agriculture, National Economic and Development
25 
Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National
26 
Police, Department of National Defense, and Department of Tourism;
27 
h) 
Three (3) representatives from either NGOs, or people's organizations
28 
(POs) based in the Province of Albay, duly accredited both by the DENR
4


1 
and the provincial government. The NGOs or POs represented should
2 
have been in existence for at least five (5) years and with track record
3 
in or related to protected area management;
4 
I) 
At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the
5 
indigenous cultural communities/ indigenous peoples present in the area
6 
and recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples;
7 
j) 
One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a
8 
university or college in the Province of Albay, with proven track record
9 
in or related to protected area management; and
10 
k) 
One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of
11 
the Province of Albay, who is distinguished In a profession or field of
12 
Interest relevant to the management of a protected area.
13 
The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their
14 
removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise
15 
known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992" as amended
16 
by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National Integrated
17 
Protected Areas System Act of 2018"
18 
Sec. 7. Functions of the PAMB. - The PAMB shall have the following powers and
19 
functions:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
a) 
Oversee the management of the MM PL;
b) 
Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other 
related documents for the management of the MM PL;
c) 
Approve the management plan of the MM PL and ensure its 
harmonization with and integration into the Ancestral Domain 
Sustainable Development and Protection Plan, land use plan and other 
development plans, public or private, and their implementation;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
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22
23
24
25
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27
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29
d) 
Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures in the 
conduct of business, and the creation of committees and their respective 
terms of reference;
e) 
Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for 
the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the 
management of the MMPL;
f) 
Allocate financial resources for the Implementation of the management 
plan and manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and 
other funds in accordance with government accounting, budgeting, and 
auditing rules and regulations;
g) 
Set fees and charges In accordance with existing guidelines;
h) 
Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through 
appropriate and effective means;
I) 
Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other
government authorities with respect to the management of the MMPL;
j) 
Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area 
Superintendent and other protected area personnel and compliance of 
partners with the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract or 
agreement relative to any project or activity within the MMPL;
k) 
Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the 
designation or appointment of the Protected Area Superintendent; and
l) 
Assess the effectiveness of the management of the MMPL: Provided, 
That the members of the PAMB representing the LGUs and national 
agencies shall inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of 
PAMB-approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, 
and projects and shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and the rules 
and regulations issued to implement it are complied with and used as 
reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, programs, 
and projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be the basis for
6


1 
disciplinary action against such member according to administrative rules
2 
and regulations and such penalties as the PAMB may provide: Provided,
3 
further, That the DENR, through the Regional Director, shall ensure that
4 
the PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of
5 
conflict between the resolutions issued by the PAMB and the existing
6 
administrative orders of national application, the latter shall prevail.
7 
Sec. 8. The Protected Area Management Office. - There is hereby established
8 
a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected Area
9 
Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day-to-day management, protection,
10 
and administration of the MMPL. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla position
11 
and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support staff
12 
with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR Secretary
13 
to assist the PASu In the management of the protected area.
14 
The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
15 
management and operations of the MMPL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
16 
following duties and responsibilities:
17 
a) 
Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders,
18 
including the annual work and 
financial plan and ensure its
19 
implementation;
20 
b) 
Ensure the integration of relevant national and LGU plans and programs
21 
into MMPL management plans, programs, projects, and policies;
22 
c) 
Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure
23 
the availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;
24 
d) 
Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules,
25 
regulations, and programs;
26 
e) 
Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which
27 
shall be an important basis for decision-making;
28 
f) 
Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the MMPL, commence


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21
22
23
24
and institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other 
government agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of 
offenses committed in violation of the provisions of this Act;
g) 
Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management 
activities of the MMPL;
h) 
Request for and receive any technical assistance, support or advice from 
any agency or instrumentality of the government as well as academic 
Institutions, NGOs, and the private sector, as may be necessary for the 
effective management, protection and administration of the MMPL;
i) 
Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the 
management plan and other permitted activities in accordance with 
terms, conditions, and criteria established by the PAMB: Provided, That 
all permits for extraction of natural resources for research purposes, 
including the collection of wildlife and its by-products or derivatives, shall 
specify the acts to be authorized, and shall continue to be issued by 
relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, through 
the PASu;
j) 
Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income 
for the MMPL: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other 
income collected and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB 
and the DENR in accordance with existing guidelines;
k) 
Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and 
financial plans of the MMPL based on the management plan; and
l) 
Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.
25 
The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and natural
26 
resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR.
8


1 
ARTICLE Ill
2 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
3 
Sec. 9. The Mt Masaraga Protected Landscape and Seascape Integrated
4 
Protected Area Fund. — There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the
5 
Mt. Masaraga Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (MMPL-IPAF) for
6 
purposes of financing projects of the MMPL and the NIPAS. All income generated from
7 
the operation and management of the MMPL shall accrue to the MMPL-IPAF. The
8 
income shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of resources and facilities
9 
of MMPL, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the MMPL,
10 
and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the MMPL.
11 
The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised
12 
through the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained
13 
Income Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the
14 
locality: Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for the
15 
protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the MMPL and
16 
implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining twenty-five
17 
percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the General Fund
18 
of the National Treasury for purposes of financing the projects of the NIPAS.
19 
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments from
20 
various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited In full
21 
as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be
22 
made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of the
23 
NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing
24 
accounting, budgeting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further. That the
25 
fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.
26 
The LCDs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated
27 
herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, property tax
28 
and rentals of LCDs' facilities.
9


1 
ARTICLE IV
2 
PENAL PROVISIONS
3 
Sec. 10. Prohibited Acts and Penaities. - The prohibited acts and their
4 
corresponding penalties under Sections 20 and 21 of Republic Act No. 7586, as
5 
amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall form part of this Act.
6 
ARTICLE V
7 
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
8 
Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include
9 
in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall
10 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
11 
Sec. 12. Suppietory Appiication of the NIPAS Law. — The provisions of
12 
Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppietory
13 
application to this Act.
14 
Sec. 13. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days from
15 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with the
16 
local governments of the Municipalities of Oas and Polangui, and the Cities of Ligao
17 
and Tabaco, the provincial government of Albay, and concerned national government
18 
agencies, issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
19 
Sec. 14. Separabiiity Cause. - I If any section or provision of this Act Is held
20 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
21 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
22 
Sec. 15. Repeating Cause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
23 
regulations, issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
24 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
25 
Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
26 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
10