Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. EUFRANIO C. ERIGUEL, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill, which was previously filed in the 15" Congress and approved by the
House of Representatives on third reading, secks establish the Agoo-Damortis Landscape
and Seascape, located in the Municipalities of Agoo, Sto. Tomas, and Rosario in the
Province of La Union as a protected area, providing for its management and for other
purposes. In conformity with the 1987 Constitution which sought to “protect and advance
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature,” the declaration of the Agoo-Damortis Landscape and Seascape as a
protected area would ensure the implementation of the appropriate protection and
conservation activities in the national park which would further enhance among others the
tourism industry in the Province of La Union

The shores and territorial waters of La Union from Agoo to Damortis, which
covers 10,629.22 hectares, was first established as a national park by virtue of Republic
Act No. 4570 dated June 19, 1965 and later affirmed as Agoo-Damortis Protected
Seascape and Landscape by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 277 dated April 23,
2000 as an initial component under Republic Act 7586 otherwise known as the National
Integrated Protected Areas System.+

The Agoo-Damortis Protected Seascape and Landscape, situated within thé
Lingayen Gulf, has been identified to have unique and abundant biological, geological
and hydrological features. The area has also been identified as a migratory site of at least


more than fifteen (15) species of birds and certain species of reptiles and fish. More
importantly, major rivers are located within the protected area which includes the Agoo
river, Cupang River and Bani River.

Notwithstanding its importance, the Agoo-Damortis Protected Seascape and
Landscape has been completely neglected over the years and is thus facing serious threats
to its biodiversity. Aside from the continued erosion occurring in some areas of the park,
there is also the alarming depletion of marine resources as well as an escalating decrease
in fish haul and destruction of corals over the years. Thus, the immediate need to arrest
this indiscriminate use of natural resources.

Given the various laws and issuances on the area, it is imperative to legislate a law
which will harmonize their provisions and to define the parameters, mechanisms and
structure of the management of the Agoo-Damortis Protected Seascape and Landscape/
National Park, giving very active role to the public constituency. It is crucial to protect
the area from unashamed exploitation in order to sustain its ecological balance as well as
protect its source of water supply.

This Bill, therefore, in seeking to establish the Agoo-Damortis Protected Seascape
and Landscape as a protected area, also seeks to provide for a comprehensive and
sustained conservation system through an effective and responsive management of the
area for the benefit of our children and their future.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

Ce

EUFRANIO, ANNY” C, ERIGUEL, M.D.
ind District, La Union


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. EUFRANIO C. ERIGUEL, M.D.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE AGOO-DAMORTIS PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND
SEASCAPE IN THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION AS A PROTECTED AREA,
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. Title, ~ This Act shall be known as the “Agoo-Damortis Protected
Landscape and Seascape (ADPLS) Act of 2013.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
regulate the utilization of terrestrial and marine resources within the Agoo-Damortis
landscape and seascape to ensure the continuity of endangered, threatened, and rare

species therein, as well as conserve, protect and preserve its scenic, educational, cultural,

historical and recreational features, through its establishment as a protected area in

accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the
“National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992.”

SEC. 3. Land Classification. — All lands and waters of the public domain
comprising the ADPLS shall fall urlder the classification of National Park as provided for
in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. °

SEC. 4. Scope. — The boundaries of the ADPLS shall be as follows:


Parcel I - Beginning at Corner “1”, N34°23°45”W, 5,314.48 meters from BLLM # 1,
CAD 314-D, Agoo, Cadastre (N-1806567.81 and E-218537.90)

LINE BEARING DISTANCE (meters)
1-2 S. 32° 40° 40” E. 327.20
23 S. 07° 55° 14” E. 105.19
3-4 N. 41° 29" 47" E. 31.45
4-5 S. 39° 42? 35” E. 69.48
5-6 S. 48° 10° 47” W. 23.10
6-7 S.31° 11° 05" E. 80.48
78 S. 28° 44° 42” E. 138.46
8-9 S. 24° 20° 27" E. 41.76
9-10 N. 71° 33’ 54” E. 20.05
10-11 S. 31° 50° 07" E. 194.08
11-12 N. 58° 20° 55” E. 77.69
12-13, S. 15° 18° 46” E. 78.90
13-14 S. 69° 08° 43” W. 20.36
14-15 S. 04° 36° 59” E. 34.91
15-16 N. 88° 27° 39” W. 17.29
16-17 S. 04° 05° 08" E. 146.23
17-18 N. 67° 16° 54” E. 18.38
18-19 S. 02° 59° 25” E. 121.56
19-20 S. 03° 48° 27" E. 266.03
20-21 S. 06° 33° 48” W. 321.00
21-22 S. 01° 31’ 16" E. 392.41
22-23 'S. 08° 44° 29" W. 426.22
23-24 S..09° 017 05” W. 326.55
24-25 S. 10° 15° 59” W. 424.44
25-26 S. 08° 38° 10” W. 413.27
26-27 S. 30° $8” 40” W. 315.94
27-28 S. 00° 53” 33” W. 319.84

28-29 S. 03° 16° 04” W. 294.01


29-30
30-31
31-32
32:33
33-34
34-35
35-36
36-37
37-38
38-39
39-40
40-41
41-42
42-43
43-44
44-45
45-46
46-47
47-48
48-49
49-50
50-51
51-52
52-53
53-54
54-55
55-56
56-57
57-58
58-59
59-60
60-61

S. 04° $7’ 41” W.
'S. 03° 13° 28” W.

S. 02° 56” 17" E.
S. 07° 20° 07" E.
S. 08° 27° 18” E.
S. 03° 35’ 53" E.
S. 01° 23° 40” E.

S. 01° 03" 39” W..

S. 01° 06" 44” E.

S. 00° 05’ 51” W.

S. 12°42" 29” E.
$.33°57" 13°E.
S. 40° 09° 56” E.
S. 19° 01 32".
$.23° 14” 10" E.
$. 20° 29° 50” E.
$.21° 35° 43” E.
$.25° 29° 00" E.
S. 25° 03° 09” E.
$.31° 29° 22" E.
$.29° 22° 17" E.
$. 22° 49° 27" E.
$. 16° 46° 09" E.
S. 12° 09" 28” E.
S. 09° 57°23" E.
$. 34° 49° 38” E.
S. 51° 26" 29” E.
S. 26° 56” 39” BE.
$.42° 47° 55” E.
$. 48° 02" 11" E.
$. 35° 55°01" E.
$.05° 29° 32” E.

413.76
64.42
273.96
244.80
135.55
295.92
241.96
48.93
93.33
265.44
455.06
81.91
129.22
166.74
90.70
103.49
257.23
386.38
307.01
533.33
206.88
409.87
354.82
402.20
379.88
310.12
239.82
244.92
508.69
326.53
294.20
189.31


61-62
62-63
63-64
64-65
65-66
66-67
67-68
68-69
69-70
70-71
71-72
2-73
73-74
74-15
75-76
16-77
71-18
78-79
79-80
80-81
81-82
82-83
83-84
84-85,
85-86
86-87
87-88
88-89
89-90
90-91
91-92
92-93

S.29° 58° 17" E.
|. 61° 58° 55” E.
|. 29° 10° 22” E.

N. 15° 18° 03” W.
i. 46° 18° 22” W.
|. 13° 47" 39” W.

N
N.

N

N

N.

N. 25° 38? 27” W.
N.57° 54? 29” BE.
$. 60° 37° 54” B.
$. 04° 51° 23" W.
$. 54° 09° 23” B.
S. 24° 54° 08" E.
N. 87° 11° 24" E.
$. 09° 45° 08" E.
S. 18° 35° 15” E.
S. 14° 25° 24” E.
S. 22° 50° 17° E.
S. 20° 34° 31° E.
$. 41° 43 05" E.
S. 29° 24° 56” E.
S. 11° 08" 02” E.
S. 18° 11° 56”
S.16° 01" 15” E.
$. 17° 58" 53” E.
$. 52° 18°20" E.
$.07° 46 46” E.
$. 17° 55° 03" E
S. 14° 15° 05” E.
$. 25° 49" 52” E.
21°34" 53” E.
$. 46° 58° 29" E.
S. 88° 57°53" W.

a

511.40
111.86
489.73
99.56
491.79
416.05
728.56
1081.11
273.40
139.11
2260.34
2164.43
147.85
117.66
268.58
260.05
274.26
314.49
229.39
195.53
86.79
208.85
329.90
162.87
25.19
324.60
285.64
292.57
221.43
219.21
195.18
4914.67


93-94 N. 53° 18° 37" W. 6304.71

94-95 N. 29° 38° 36” W. 4194.52
95-96 N. 22° O17 26” W. 1601.73
96-97 N. 21° 49" 58” W. 2764.87
97-98 N. 02° 49° 35” E. 5502.18
98-99 N. 84° 05° 21” E. 5217.01
99-100 S. 06° 06" SS” E. 21.05

100-1 S..17° 41° 25” E. 21.72

Parcel II - Beginning at Comer “1”, N. 34° 23° 45” W., 5,314.48 meters from BLLM #1,
CAD 314-D, Agoo, Cadastre (N-1806567.81 and E-218537.90)

LINE BEARING DISTANCE (meters)
1-2 N. 78° 07° 33” E. 50.95
23 S. 33° 26’ 23” E. 335.04
3-4 S. 06° 37’ 57” E. 45.67
45 S. 39° 38° 03” E. 135.62
5-6 S. 44° 59° 59” W. 22.38
6-7 S. 25° 03’ 27° E. 179.35,
7-8 N. 73° 04" 20” 25.36
8-9 S. 28° 24° 18" E. 176.32
9-10 N. 59° 02° 10" E. 110.73
10-11 S. 11°57’ 54" E. 162.85
11-12 S. 20° 07° 10” W. 113.48
12-13 'S. 09° 09° 44” E. 33.13
13-14 S. 19° 29° 10” E. 72.74
14-15 S. 05° 20° 29” E. 130.33
15-16 S. 05° 05° 23” E. 261.62
16-17 S. 06° 48° 07" W. 325.13
17-18 S. 01° 35° 28” E. 398.95
18-19 418.31
19-20 S. 08° 46” 49 W. 335.21
20-21 S. 10° 35° 35” W. 421.81


21-22
22-23
23-24
24.25
25-26
26-27
27-28
28-29
29-30
30-31
31-32
32-33
33.34
34-35
35-36
36-37
37-38
38-39
39-40
40-41
41-42
42.43
43-44
44-45
45-46
46-47
47-48
48-49
49-50
50-51
51-52
52-53

S.07° 53° 42” W.

S. 31°20" 21” W.

S.01° 21° 50” W.

'S. 02° 29° 06” W.

'S. 04° 15° 20” W.
S. 05° 31° 39” W.

S. 02° 19° 17" E.
S.07° 16°39" E.
S.09° 54? 15” B.
S. 02° 57° 14” E.
$.02° 59° 11" E.
S. 04° 51752” W.
$.00° 19° 59” E.
S. 00° 13°35” B.
S. 13° 08" 02” E.
S. 30° 347 45” E.
S. 39° 48° 20" E.
S. 20° 33°21" E.
S. 22°46" 13” E.
S.21° 41°39" E.
S. 24° 46° 51” E.
S. 25° 37° 00" E.
$.31° 17° 45" E.
S. 30° 08° 41” E.
$. 22° 33°03" E.
S. 16° 347 05" E.
$5127 23" 15"-E:
S.09° 43° 39" E.
S. 36° 10° 21” E.
S. 52°44 31" E.
S. 25° 13° 16" E.
S. 42° 43° 59" E.

418.59
317.46
310.26
304.13
405.19
65.72

273.48
245.69
134.94
296.86
242.99
49.77

90.73

266.92
438.76
53.92

144.20
189.30
92.68

366.75
363.71
313.57
514.86
234.24
404.40
353.33
418.03
374.64
260.08
249.20
241.40
499.85


53-54
54-55
55-56
56-57
57-58
58-59
59-60
60-61
61-62
62-63
63-64
64-65
65-66
66-67
67-68
68-69
69-70
70-71
71-72
72-73
73-74
74-75
75-76
76-77
77-78
78-79
79-80
80-81
81-82
82-83
83-84
84-85

Ss.
S.
S.
Ss.

N. 61° 17° 38" E.
N. 29° 49° 48" E.
N. 12° 48° 15” W.
N. 46° 217 31” W.
N. 14° 167 29” W.
N. 25° 18°
N. 58° 06’ 40” E.

Ss.

S. 02° 38° 33” W.

S.
S.

S..15° 19° 33” BE.

S.
S.
Ss.
Ss.
Ss.
S.
Ss.
Ss.
s.
S.
Ss.
Ss.
Ss.
Ss.
s.
Ss.
s.

5 48° 15° 33” E.
. 35° 49° 16" EB.
. 04° 03° 44” EL
- 29° 44" 11” E.

. 60° 35° 49” E.

. 54° 05° 57” E.

24° 59” 13”.
. 89° 37° ST” EL.
07° 41° 12” E.
. 18° 54° 32” E.

21° 48° 0S” E.
. 19° 49° 12” E.
. 42° 01" 34” B.
. 30° 21° 0S" E.
08° 52’ 50” E.
. 19° 10° 44” E.
. 16° 05" 02” E.

S..17° 29° 27° E..

. 38° 09° 26”
5. 07° 19° 25” E.
5. 18° 32° 18" E.
. 14° 51° 16" E.
}. 27° 28" 27" E.

32” W.

328.03
334.39
186.15
451.99
50.52
439.03
141
487.66
430.01
774.91
1154.33
328.79
137.30
2245.41
2141.70
164.59
173.53
262.07
261.45
272.711
269.15
230.08
228.62
102.51
205.53
329.40
131.63
37.57
339.32
277.08
304.53
208.10


85-86
88-89
89-90
90-91
91-92
92-93
93-94
94-95
95-96
96-97
97-98
98-99
99-100
100-101
101-102
102-103
103-104
104-105
105-106
106-107
107-108
108-109
109-110
110-111
11-112
112-113
113-114
114-115
115-116
116-117
117-118
118-119

S.20°27° 14” E.

N. 46° 58° 29” w,
N. 21° 347 53" W,
N. 25° 49° 52” W.
N. 14° 157 05” W.
N. 17° 55°03" W.
N. 07° 46° 46” W.
N. 52° 18° 20” w,
N. 17° 587 53” W.
N. 16° 017 15” W.
N. 18° 117 56” W.
N. 11° 087 02” W.
N. 29° 247 56” W,

N. 41° 437 05” W.

N. 20°34 31” W,
N. 22° 50° 177 W.
N. 14° 257 24” W,
N. 18° 357 15” W.
N, 09° 45° 08” W.

S.87° 11" 24” W.

N. 24° 54° 08" W.

N. 54° 09° 23” w.
N. 04° 51°23” E.

N. 60° 37° 54” W.

S. 57° 54? 29” W.
S. 25° 38°27",
S. 13° 47° 39” E.
S. 46° 18° 22” E.
S. 15° 18° 03" E.
S. 29° 10° 22” w.
S. 61° 58" 55” W.

N, 29° 58° 17" W.

208.31
195.18
219.21
221.43
292.57
285.64
324.60
25.19
162.87
329.90
208.85
86.79
195.53
229,39
314.49
274.26
260.05
268.58
117.66
147.85
2164.43
2260.34
139.11
273.40
1081.11
728.56
416.05
491.79
99.56
489.73
111.86
511.40


119-120
120-121
121-122
122-123
123-124
124-125
125-126
126-127
127-128
128-129
129-130
130-131
131-132
132-133
133-134
134-135
135-136
136-137
137-138
138-139
139-140
140-141
141-142
142-143
143-144
144-145
145-146
146-147
147-148
148-149
149-150
150-151

N.

|. 05° 29° 32” W.
|. 35° 55°01” W.
. 48° 02" 11" W.
|. 42° 47” 55” W.
|. 26° 56” 39” W.

1. 51° 26° 29” W.

|. 34° 49° 38” W.
|. 09° 57° 23” W.

|. 12° 09° 28” W.

. 16° 46° 09" W.

|. 22° 49° 27” W.

i. 29° 22” 17” W.
31°29" 222 Ws

|. 25° 03° 09” W.
|. 25° 29° 00” W.
21° 35° 43” W.

i. 23° 14° 10” W.
1. 19° 01" 32” W..

|. 40° 09° 56” W.
|. 33° 57° 13” W.
|. 12° 42” 29” W.
|. 00° 05’ 51” E.

. 01° 06" 44” W.

|. 01° 03° 39” E..
01° 23° 40” W.

03° 357 53” W.
08° 27" 18” W.
. 07° 20° 07" W.
. 02°56" 17” W.

|. 03° 13° 28” E.
|. 04° 57° 41" E.

N.
N
N.
N.
N.
N.
N
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N. 20° 29° 50” W.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.
N.

189.31
294.20
326.53
508.69
244.92
239.82
310.12
379.88
402.20
354.82
409.87
206.88
533.33
307.01
386.38
257.23
103.49
90.70

166.74
129.22
81.91

455.06
265.44
93.33

48.93

241.96
295.92
135.55
244.80
273.96
64.42

413.76


151-152 N. 03° 16? 04” E. 294.01

152-153 N. 00° 53° 33” E. 319.84
153-154 N. 30° 58’ 40” E. 315.94
154-155 N. 08° 38° 10” E. 413.27
155-156 N. 10° 15° 59” E. 424.44
156-157 N. 09° 01" 0S” E. 326.55
157-158 N. 08° 44° 29” E. 426.22
158-159 N. 01°31" 16” W. 392.41
159-160 N. 06° 33° 48” E. 321.00
160-161 N. 03° 48" 27” W.. 266.03
161-162 N. 02° 59° 25” W. 121.56
162-163 N. 17° 41° 25” W. 21.72
163-164 S. 67° 16° 54” W. 18.38
164-165 N. 04° 05° 08" W. 146.23
165-166 S. 88° 27° 39” E. 17.29
166-167 N. 06° 06" 55” W.. 21.05
167-168 N. 04° 36” 59” W. 34.91
168-169 N. 69° 08° 43” E. 20.36
169-170 15° 18° 46” W. 78.90
170-171 S. 58° 20° 55” W. 77.69
171-172 N. 31° 50° 07” W. 194.08
172-173 S. 71° 33° 54” W. 20.05
173-174 N. 24° 20° 27” W. 41.76
174-175 N. 28° 44° 42” W. 138.46
175-176 N. 31° 11° 05” W. 80.48
176-177 N. 48° 10° 47" E. 23.10
177-178 N. 39° 42” 35” W. 69.48
178-179 S.41° 29° 477 W. 31.45
179-180. N. 07° 55° 14” W. 105.19
180-1 N. 32°40" 40” W. 327.20

Any modification of this Act due to factors such as changing ecological situations,
new scientific discovery of traditional boundaries not previously taken into account shall

10


be made through an Act of Congress passed after full consultation with the affected
public.

SEC. 5. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined as follows:

(@) Biological diversity shall refer to the variety and variability among living
organisms and the ecological complexes in which living organisms occur.

(b) Biological resources shall refer to living natural resources, including the
microorganisms, plants and animals, plus the environmental resources to which
the species contribute.

(c) Buffer zone shall refer to identified areas outside the boundaries of and
immediately adjacent to or surrounding a designated protected area that need
special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to other
protected area.

(4) Endangered species shall refer to species and subspecies of wildlife whose
populations are in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the
causal factors continue to operate.

(c) General Management Plan shall refer to the basic long-term framework plan
in the management of the protected area and serves as guide in the preparation
of the annual operations plan and budget.

() General Management Planning Strategy (GMPS) shall refer to the general
guide in the formulation of site-specific management plans including buffer
zones.

(g) Management manual shall refer to the individual management plan for the
ADPLS containing basic background information, field inventory of the
resources, assessment of assets and limitations, regional interrelationships,
particular objectives for managing, appropriate divisioit into. management
zones, review of the boundaries and design of the management programs.

(h) NIPAS Act shall refer to Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the
“National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992”.

(i) Nongovernment organization (NGO) shall refer to any civic, development or

philanthropic organization, which is multi-sectoral in character.

cE


(i) People’s organization (PO) shall refer to organizations of members of the
local community whose purpose for establishment is to protect or advance the
interest of specific sectors such as, but not limited to, farmers, fisherfolk,
women and the like.

(k) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall refer to the management
body within the site, responsible for the budgetary allocation for activities and
programs in the ADPLS, and making decisions on matters relating to planning,
peripheral protection, and general administration in accordance with the
General Management Plan.

(1) Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) shall refer to the Chief Operating
Officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in
the ADPLS under the supervision of the PAMB and the concerned DENR
Regional Executive Director (RED).

(m) Protected landscape and seascape shall refer to areas of national significance

characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing

opportunities for enjoyment through recreation and tourism within the normal
lifestyle and economic activity of these areas.

(n) Protected species shall refer to existing individuals of any species listed under
the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), or any
plants or animals that are declared to be protected under Philippine laws, rules
and regulations issued by the DENR or the PAMB or the management plan
herein provided for.

(0) Tenured migrant shall refer to any person who has actually and continuously
occupied the protected area for five (5) years prior to its designation as a
protected area in accordance with the NIPAS Act and is solely dependent
therein for subsistence. 2

SEC. 6. Control and Supervision. ~ The ADPLS shall be under the administrative
jurisdiction of the DENR and shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of
this Act and the applicable provisions of the NIPAS Act. The DENR shall address issues
pertaining to the maintenance of’ the ecological processes and life support systems, -
preservation of genetic diversity and the sustainable use of the resources within the

ADPLS.

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SEC. 7. Management. - The ADPLS shall be under the management of the
PAMB, composed of the following as members:

(a) The DENR RED of Region I as chairperson and advisor on matters related to the
technical aspects of protected area management;

(b) The Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) of the Province
of La Union;

(©) One (1) representative from each of the municipal governments of Agoo, Sto.
‘Tomas, and Rosario, La Union, to be appointed by the respective Sangguniang
Bayan;

(d) The Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR)-Region I, or the person's permanent representative;

(©) One (1) representative from each of the nineteen (19) barangays within the
ADPLS, to be appointed by their respective Sanggunian; and

(® Three (3) representatives from local nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and
community and people’s organizations, to be chosen by the respective sectors in
an election called for the purpose by the DENR, in coordination with the local
government units (LGU’s)

Each member of the PAMB shall serve for a term of five (5) years and shall be
considered to represent and carry the vote of such sector in all matters. In case of
members who are government officials, their membership shall be co-terminus with their
term of office. Whenever a vacancy occurs during the term of a member, a new member
shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment in order to complete
such unfinished term.

‘The members of the PAMB shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance in
meetings of the PAMB or in connection with other official busitiess authorized by
resolution of the PAMB, subject to existing rules and regulations.

‘The following shall be the duties and functions of the PAMB:

(1) Decide matters relating to planning, resource protection and general

administration of the area in accordance with the General Management
Planning Strategy (GMPS);

3B


(2) Approve proposals, work plans, action plans and guidelines for the
management of the protected area in accordance with the approved
management plan;

(3) Delineate and demarcate protected area boundaries and buffer zones pursuant
to the technical description provided in this Act;

(4) Promulgate rules and regulations to promote development programs and
projects on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development consistent
with the management manual of the protected area;

(5) Ensure the implementation of programs as prescribed in the management plan
in order to provide employment to the people dwelling in and around the
protected area;

(6) Control and regulate the construction, operation and maintenance of roads,
trails, waterworks, sewerage, fire protection and sanitation systems and other
public utilities within the protected area; and

(7) Monitor and evaluate the performance of protected area personnel, NGOs, and
the communities in biodiversity conservation and socio-cultural and economic
development and report their assessments to the NIPAS Policy and Program
Steering Committee (NPPSC) and the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF)
Governing Board,

The PASu shall prepare the management plan in consultation with the appropriate
offices of the DENR and local experts including, but not limited to, people’s
organizations, non-government organizations and local government agencies. The
management plan shall be reviewed, approved and adopted by the PAMB and shall be
certified by the Secretary of the DENR that the management plan conforms to all laws,
rules and regulations of national application issued by the DENR. In no case shall the
DENR revise or modify the management plan without prior consultation with the PAMB.

The PASu, in coordination with all concerned offices, shall likewise prepare all
successor plans. One (1) year before the expiration of the period of applicability of the
plan in effect, the PASu shall cause the publication of notices for comments and
suggestions on the next successor plan in a newspaper of local circulation and the posting.
of such notices in the provincial, municipal and barangay halls and in three (3) other areas,
frequented by the public. Public hearings may be conducted on the successor plan upon

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the written request of any interested party. The final plan shall be prepared in a language
understandable in the area, plainly written and available for public comment at the office
of the PASu upon its approval by the PAMB.

The zoning of the ADPLS shall give primary consideration to the traditional zones
used and recognized by tenured migrants unless such uses are deemed detrimental to
biodiversity and the protection of its natural characteristics.

SEC. 8. Special Prosecutors. — Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this
Act, the Department of Justice shall appoint a special prosecutor to whom all cases of
violation of the laws and rules and regulations in the protected area shall be assigned.
Such special prosecutor shall coordinate with the PAMB and the PASu in the
performance of the person’s duties and assist in the training of rangers in apprehension
and criminal procedures.

SEC. 9. Agoo-Damortis Protected Area Fund. ~ There is hereby established a
trust fund to be known as the Agoo-Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape Fund
(ADPLSF) for purposes of financing projects of the system. All income generated from
the operation of the system or management of wild flora and fauna in the ADPLS shall
accrue to the fund. This income shall be derived from fees from permitted sale and export
of flora and fauna and other resources from the ADPLS, proceeds from lease of multiple-
use areas, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from it, and such
other fees and incomes derived from its operation.

‘The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various
sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions: Provided, That the
fund shall be deposited as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursements
therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and
management of the system, and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in
accordance with existing accounting and budgeting rules and regulations: Provided,
further, That the fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.

The local government units (LGUs) shall continue to impose and collect all other
fees not enumerated herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business
permits, property tax and rentals of LGUs facilities. Furthermore, LGUs may charge add.
‘ons to fees imposed by the PAMB: Provided, That such add-ons shall be determined

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based on the contribution of the LGUs in the maintenance and protection of the protected
area.

SEC, 10. Existing Facilities within the ADPLS. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, existing facilities such as roads, buildings, airports, seaports, water

systems, power plants, transmission lines, communication facilities, heavy equipment,
irrigation facilities, commercial sea vessels, medical facilities and junk shops of
government organizations or agencies, non-government organizations, and_private
individuals and institutions within the protected area shall be assessed in terms of their
significance to national interest and their impact on the ADPLS. The owners of these
facilities shall be required to submit their individual project descriptions including their
future plans to the PAMB through the PASu. For those facilities found significant to
national interest, a contract shall be negotiated between the PAMB and the operator and
the payment of fees for the use of the land shall be based on profit-sharing principle or
other measures in accordance with law. Other facilities whose purposes are found
inconsistent with protected management shall be directed to vacate such area, if possible,
at the earliest possible time.

Upon review and evaluation of all existing facilities, the PAMB shall imposed
conditions on the operation of the facilities that are detrimental to the ADPLS. If such
conditions are violated, the owner of such facilities shall be liable to pay a fine of Five
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for every day of violation. Upon reaching a total fine of Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), the PAMB through the PASu and deputized
government entities shall cause the cessation and demolition of the facility at the cost of
its owners. Fees collected shall accrue to the ADPLSF established in Section 9 hereof.

SEC. 11. Utilization of Energy Resources. — The ADPLS may be subjected to
exploration for the purpose of gathering information on energy resources and only if such
activity is carried out with the least damage to surrounding areas. Surveys shall be
conducted only in accordance with a program approved by the DENR, and the results of
such surveys shall be made available to the public and submitted to the President for
recommendation to Congress. Any exploitation and utilization of energy resources found
within the ADPLS shall be allowed only through an Act of Congress. :

SEC. 12. Tenured Migrants. - Those who have actually and continuously
occupied portions of the protected areas since June 30, 1987 and are solely dependent

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therein for subsistence are considered as tenured migrants. Their proof of length of
occupancy shall be documented through a tenure instrument over such areas as have been
occupied or cultivated and/or developed since June 30, 1987. In case the areas occupied
by tenured migrants fall within management zones that do not allow occupancy or other
critical management activities, provisions for their transfer to multiple-use zones shall be
utilized using humanitarian considerations.

The rights, interest and activities of tenured migrants within the ADPLS and its
adjoining buffer zones shall be governed by the principles of biodiversity protection and
sustainable development and by the guidelines prescribed in the management plan as well
as the prohibitions set out in the NIPAS Act: Provided, That all plans, policies and
guidelines affecting tenured migrants shall be developed and implemented in partnership
with them. When a tenured migrant instrument is cancelled for cause, abandonment
and/or by voluntary surrender of 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
developmental activities by the tenured migrant.

SEC. 13. Indigenous People’s Rights, ~ The rights of the indigenous communities
to their ancestral domains and other customary rights and interest within the ADPLS shall
be accorded due recognition. The preservation and protection of ancestral domains and
customary rights shall be considered as a management objective.

The PASu Office shall identify the location of indigenous cultural communities
within or near the site, which is identifiable by the tribal leaders.

The evaluation of ancestral domain claims within the ADPLS shall be conducted
by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) pursuant to the provisions of
Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as “The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of
1997” or the IPRA law, and its implementing rules and regulations, in coordination with
the PAMB.

SEC. 14. Appropriations. — The Secretary of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources 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.
4

7


SEC. 15. Reporting Responsibility. - The PASu, through the PAMB, shall be
responsible in the preparation of accomplishment reports on all activities undertaken in
the ADPLS for submission to the DENR Secretary.

SEC. 16. Prohibited Acts and Penalties. — The following acts are hereby
prohibited within the ADPLS:

(a) Hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or animals or

products derived therefrom without a permit from the PAMB;

(b) Dumping of any waste products detrimental to the ADPA, or to the plants and

animals or inhabitants therein;

(c) Use of any motorized equipment without a permit from the PAMB;

(d) Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty or objects of

interest to cultural communities;

(c) Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition;

(f) Squatting, mineral location or otherwise occupying any land;

(g) Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosure,

conducting any business enterprise without a permit from the PAMB;

(h) Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing in

‘ground or in bodies of water; and

(i) Altering, removing, destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs.

SEC. 17. Penalties. - Whoever violates this Act or any rules and regulations
issued by the Department or the PAMB pursuant to this Act or whoever is found guilty by
a competent court of justice of any of the offenses in the preceding section shall be fined
in the amount of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) nor more than Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), exclusive of the value of the thing damaged or
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, or both, as
determined by the court: Provided, That if the area requires rehabilitation or restoration as
determined by the court, the offender shall also be required to restore or compensate for
the restoration of the damage: Provided, further, That the court shall order the eviction of
the offender from the area and the forfeiture in favor of the government of all minerals,
timber, or any terrestrial or marine species collected or removed, including all equipment, -
devices and firearms used in connection therewith and any construction or improvement.

made thereon by the offender. If the offender is an association or a corporation, the

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president or manager shall be directly responsible for the act of his employees and
laborers: Provided, finally, That the DENR may impose administrative fines and penalties
consistent with this Act.

SEC. 18. Separability Clause. — If any part or section of this Act is declared
unconstitutional by the court, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or sections
hereof.

SEC. 19. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
and rules and regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act shall be deemed
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 20. Effectivity Clause.

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

circulation.

Approved,

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