Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3814

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan and
Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
DECLARING THE ALABAT WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF ALABAT, THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE
CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED
PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE ALABAT PROTECTED
LANDSCAPE, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Alabat Watershed Forest Reserve (AWFR) in the
municipality of Alabat, Province of Quezon, a protected area, in line with the result of the
Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA).

The assessment finds the 688 hectares AWFR suited to be established as a
protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System or e-
NIPAS.

This is based on AWFR’s unique physical features, anthropological significance,
and high biological diversity.

Among the findings of the PASA are the following:

(1) AWRR harbors a very diverse array of ecological important species of flora and
fauna such as critically endangered dipterocarp species as well as endangered
species of fauna like the Philippine deer, wild pig and tarictic hornbill, among
others, which are primarily dependent in the existing floral diversity of the
watershed. Thus, biodiversity within the watershed should be preserved,
managed and protected through a more encompassing stature;

(2) AWER provides a very precious commodity for the Alabat-potable water for the
municipality and surrounding communities;

(3) Key stakeholders have expressed their desire to further improve the capability
of AWER to continuously provide the basic life support systems as well as


economic, education, cultural, and recreational benefits for the present and
future generations of Alabatins.

Thus, upon evaluation of the results of the study, it was recommended to include
AWER under the e-NIPAS as a Protected Landscape since it is characterized by the
harmonious interaction of human and nature while providing opportunities for public
enjoyment through recreation, tourism and other economic activities.

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

Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan nccechtihees

Ath District, Quezon Kababaihan, Kabalikatan para sa Kapakanan
at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (4K) Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4
HOUSE BILL NO. 3814

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan and
Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
DECLARING THE ALABAT WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF ALABAT, THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE
CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED
PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE ALABAT 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 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Alabat Protected
Landscape Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Cognizant of the profound impact of human
activities on all components of the natural environment particularly the effect of
increasing population, resource exploitation and industrial advancement, and
recognizing the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural, biological,
and physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique
features to sustain human life, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure for
the Filipino people of present and future generation, the perpetual existence of all native
plants and animals through the establishment of comprehensive system of integrated
protected areas within the classification of national park as provided for in the
Constitution.

In recognition of the richness and diversity of the biological resources, both flora
and fauna, that are distinct to the Quezon Province, specifically in the 4* District, and its
aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the Municipality of Alabat
in the Province of Quezon, and covering the Alabat Watershed Forest Reserve (AWFR), is
hereby declared as a Protected Area with the category of Protected Landscape, and shall


hereinafter be referred to as the Aiabat Protected Landscape (APL). As such, the state
shall ensure the conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation of the area. It
is likewise recognized that the effective administration of this area is possibly only
through cooperation among national government, local government units (LGUs),
concerned non-government organizations (NGOs), private entities and local
communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the principles
of biological diversity and sustainable development.

Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the
mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the
full scientific and technical support need for the conservation of biodiversity and the
integrity of the ecosystems, culture and indigenous practices.

SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy. — As used in this Act:

(a) Buffer zones refer to identified areas outside the boundaries and immediately
adjacent to the designated protected areas that need special development control to
avoid or minimize harm to the protected area;

(b) Conservation refers to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable
utilization of wildlife or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of habitats;

(c) Indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/ Indigenous peoples (IPs) refer to
groups of people sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions, and other
distinctive cultural traits, and who have, since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and
utilized a territory;

(a) National park refers to land of the public domain classified as such in the
Constitution which includes all areas under the NIPAS, primarily designated for the
conservation of native plants and animals, their associated habitats and cultural
diversity;

(e) Protected area refers to an identified portion of land and water set aside
because of its unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological
diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation;

(0) Protected landscape refers to an area of national significance, which is
characterized by the harmonious interaction of humans, land, and water while providing
opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation, tourism, and other economic
activities; and

(g) Tenured migrants refer to protected area occupants who have been actually,
continuously and presently occupying a portion of the protected area for five (5) years
before the proclamation or law establishing the same as a protected area and are solely
dependent therein for subsistence;


SEC. 4. Classification as a National Park. ~ The Alabat Protected Landscape (APL)
is comprised of land of the public domain located in the Municipality of Alabat in the
Province of Quezon. Alll lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of the
APL, shall fall under the classification of national park as provided in Article XII, Section

3 of the Constitution.

SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. — The boundaries of Alabat Protected Landscape are
more particularly described as the area beginning at a point marked as “1” being N 08°
02' 00 E, 3.413.72 meters from "QZN-3495" with a geographic coordinates of 14° 6"
9.35938" latitude and 122° 0' 5136783" longitude located at Municipality of Alabat,

Quezon,
LINES BEARINGS __ DISTANCE (m)

1-2 N 49°29’ W 169.12 —

2-3 N 49°49’ W _ 161.55

3-4 N 47°30" W 414.63

45, N 27°29 W 353.54 _

5-6 N 27°35’ W 299.12 - -

6-7 N 04°35’ W 408.94 -

78 N 44°43 W 241.02

8-9 N 83°48" W 255.97 _
9-10 TN 10°58’ E. 204.74

10-11 N51°013' W 208.12 7

11-12 N 16°00’ W 387.76

12-13 $.50°37' W 79.60 __

13-14 N 26°52 W 215.66

14-15, N01°56' W 243.02 _ -

15-16 [N 35°44’ E - 282.56 _

16-17 N 43°28 E_ 212.21 7

17-18 N86°32'E 270.75 —
[18-19 N 86°10" E 380.35 -
19-20 N 43°24’ W 1,392.14 —

20-21 $29°49° E 276.89 7

21-22 $57°56'E 295.74

22-23 [s25°26'E 299.93

23-24 [s52°25'E 753.47, _
[24-25 $.40°27'E 135.69

25-26 $ 66°39 E 197.79

26-27 $27°36' E 145.15

27-28 $.40°07'E 295.01 __

28-29 $.45°09' E 287.64

29-30 $.08°06' W 181.31

30-31 $37°35'E 190.08 -



geographic coordinates of 14° 6' 9.35938" latitude and 122° 0' 5136783" longitude
located at Municipality of Alabat, Quezon

the point of beginning containing an area of SIX HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR AND
FIFTY-TWO HUNDREDTHS (694.52) HECTARES.

SEC. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones, ~ The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, upon the recommendation of the key informants
and other stakeholders during the public consultations, may designate areas
surrounding the Alabat Protected Landscape (APL) as buffer zones to provide an extra
layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases where the
designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be required
to designate their development with due consideration to the protected area
management plan.

ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
SEC. 7. Protected Area Management Board. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, a Protected Management Board (PAMB) shall be created to oversee

the management of APL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:

(a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region IV-A as Chairperson;

31-32 [$10°35' = 410.10
32-33 $.43°28' V 374.04
[33-34 2 141.83
[34-35 $ 73°22! 67.68
35-36 N 70°33" W 352.16
36-37 's 11°02’ W 97.30 _
37-38 N 89°30" W 270.11.
38-39 N 23°41 E 53.92
39-40 N51°47'W 155.59
[40-41 N 64°13" W 322.73
41-42 N 67°33’ W 83.48
| 42-43 N51°56'W 285.62
43-44 N42°13'W 87.94
44-45 $ 70°51’ W 40.79
45-46 $ 24°37’ W 44.27
46-47 $ 72°17 W 47.64 _
47-48 40.44 _|
48-49 N 43°11’ W [39.60 _
[49-1 N39°36’ W 285.39

TIE LINE: Corner 1 is being N 08° 02" 00 E, 3.413.72 meters from "QZN-3495" witha



(b) Governor of the Quezon Province or the duly authorized representative;

(c)Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered
residents of Quezon, or their duly designated representative, unless the
Senators decline the membership in the PAMB;

(d)District Representative of the Congressional District where the APL is
located or the duly designated representative, unless the district
representative declines the membership in the PAMB;

(e)Mayor of the municipality of Alabat, Quezon or the duly authorized
representative;

(8) Chairperson(s) of the barangay(s) within the territorial jurisdiction of the
APL;

(g)Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: the
Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of National Defense
(DND), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP);

(h) Three (3) representatives from NGOs or people's organizations (POs) based
in the Province of Quezon, duly accredited both by the DENR and the
provincial government. The NGOs or POs representatives should have been
in existence for at least five (5) years with track record in or related to
protected area management;

(i) One (1) representative from the academe, preferably from a university or
college in the Province of Quezon with proven track record in or related to
protected area management; and

(k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the
Province of Quezon, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest
to the protected area management.

The terms of Office of the members of the PAMB, as well as grounds for their
removal, shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Republic Act No. 7586, other
known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992”, as amended by
Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the “Expanded National Integrated
Protected Areas System Act of 2018”.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. — The PAMB shall have the following
powers and functions:


(a) Oversee the management of the APL;

(b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other
related documents for the management of the APL;

(c) Approve the management plan of APL and ensure its harmonization and
integration with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and
Protection Plan, land use plan and other development plans, public or
private, and its implementation;

(d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedure 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 laws, rules and regulations governing the management of
the APL;

(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 the accounting and budgeting 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 APL;

(j) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Areas Superintendent
(PASu) and other protected area personnel and compliance of partners with
the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract and agreement;

(k) Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation
or appointment of the PASu; and

(I) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the APL: 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 and regulations, programs, and projects and
shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations
issued to implement it comply with and used as reference and framework
in their respective plans, policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply


with the foregoing shali be a basis for disciplinary action against such
member according to Use basis {sr disciplinary action against such member
according to administrative rules and regulations and such penalties as the
PAMB may provide: Provided, further, That the DENR, through the Regional
Director, shall ensure the that PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and
functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions issued by the PAMB
and existing administrative orders of national application, the latter shall
prevail.

SEC. 9. Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). — There is hereby established a
Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected Area
Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day-to-day management, protection, and
administration of the APL. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla position and shall
be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support staff with
permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist
the PASu in the management of the APL.

The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
management and operations of the APL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Prepare management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, including the
annual work and financial plans and ensure its implementation;

(b) Ensure the integration of the protected area management plans, programs,
projects, and policies with relevant national and LGUs' plans and programs;

(c) Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure the
availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;

(d) Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules, regulations,
and programs;

(e) Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which shall
be an important basis for decision-making;

(0 Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the area, commence and
institute administrative and iegal actions in collaboration with other government
agencies;

(g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of
the protected area;

(h) Request 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 protected area;

(i) Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management
plan and other permitted activities following terms, conditions, and criteria established
by the PAMB: Provided. That all permits for extraction activities, including collection for
research purposes, shall also continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to
prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASU, in accordance with the specific acts to
be covered;

(j) Collect and/or receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for
the protected area: Provided, that such fees, charges, donations, and other income
collected/ received shall reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in accordance
with existing guidelines;

(k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB the approval of the annual work and
financial plans of protected area based on the management plan; and

(I) Perform such other functions as the PAMB and DENR may assign.

ARTICLE III
PROCEEDS AND FEES

SEC. 10. Alabat Protected Landscape Integrated Area Fund. — There is hereby
established a trust fund to be known as the Alabat Protected Landscape Integrated
Protected Area Fund (APL-IPAF) for purposes of financing the projects of the Alabat
Protected Landscape and the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation and
management of wild flora and fauna in the CPL shall accrue to the APL-IPAF. The income
shall be derived from fees of permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other
resources from APL, proceeds from lease of multiple-use areas, contributions from
industries and facilities directly benefiting from APL, and such other fees and income
derived from the operation of the APL.

The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through
the above means, which shall be deposited to the Protected Area-Retained Income
Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the locality:
Provided, That disbursements of such deposits shall be used solely for the protection,
maintenance, administration, and management of the APL and implementation of duly
approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining 25% of revenues shall be deposited as a
special account in the general fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing the
programs and projects of the NIPAS.

‘The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowment from various
sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That, the fund shall be deposited in full asa special


account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for
the protection, maintenance, adm ition and management of the NIPAS as duly
approved projects endorsed by the /AMB in accordance with existing accounting,
budgeting, and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the fund shall not
be used to cover personnel services expenditures.

The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein
which they have traditionally collected, such as property business permits, property tax
and rental of LGUs’ faciliti

ARTICLE IV
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 11. Appropriations. — The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include in
the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriate Act.

SEC. 12. Suppletory Application of NIPAS Law. ~The provisions of Republic Act No.
7586, otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992”,
as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, or the “Expanded National Integrated Protected
Area System Act of 2018” shall have suppletory applications to this Act.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with Municipality
of Alabat, the provincial government of Quezon, and concerned national government
agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, executive
orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,