NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
; vi'. :i:
0! 
■ C., .
SENATE
s. NO. 2551
24 FEB 14 P5 57
RtCEiVCD 3..
Introduced by SENATOR MARK 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 
AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE MT. MASARAGA 
PROTECTED LANDSCAPE (MMPL), PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Pursuant to the constitutional right of the people to a balanced and healthful 
ecology, the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) was established by 
virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 7586, as amended by RA No. 11038. As declared 
under this Act, the State shall "secure for the Filipino people of present and future 
generations the perpetual existence of all 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, biogeographic zones and 
related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine, all of which shall be 
designated as 'protected areas'.
As of January 2024, there are 114 protected areas in the Philippines declared 
through legislation. However, 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 which needs to be given 'protected area' status, by legislative action, in 
order to ensure its conservation.
Mt. Masaraga in the Province of Albay, is known to be endowed with rich 
biological diversity of flora and fauna, and a critical watershed for the Bicol River 
Basin and supports agricultural productivity, sustainable tourism, protection from 
natural calamities such as typhoons and volcanic eruptions, clean and sustainable 
source of water, and supports economic growth.
However, this is not included in the Expanded NIPAS of 2018. Mt. Masaraga 
Protected Landscape (MMPL) Act of 2024 will protect it from future exploitations and 
devastations such as kaingin, illegal logging, hunting, land grabbing, and 
irresponsible trekking, and to preserve the unspoiled beauty of the mountain and the 
rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.
This act also has a wider coverage than the existing Mt. Masaraga Watershed 
Forest Reserve (MMWFR), which main objective is to maintain the usefulness of Mt. 
Masaraga, as a source of water for irrigation and domestic use and other forestry 
purposes only.
In view of all the foregoing, I seek the immediate passage of this bill.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2551
! 
4 : i '
/i£)f;icr 0i i-iC £
24 FEB 14 P5 57
RHCElViiD 3.:
Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
POLANGUI AND OASf 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 
AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE MT. MASARAGA 
PROTECTED LANDSCAPE (MMPL), 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.
2 
Masaraga Protected Landscape (MMPL) 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
5 
policy of the State to secure for the Filipino people of present and future
6 
generations, the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the
7 
declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System
8 
(NIPAS) within the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution.
9 
In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and 
10 fauna, that are native and distinct to Mt. Masaraga, as well as their aesthetic and


1 
ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the Municipalities of Oas And
2 
Polangui, and the Cities of Ligao and Tabaco, in the Province of Albay is hereby
3 
declared a protected area under the category of protected landscape and shall
4 
hereinafter be referred to as the Mt. Masaraga Protected Landscape (MMPL). As
5 
such, the State shall ensure the conservation, protection, management, and
6 
rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that effective administration of
7 
this area is possible only through cooperation among the National Government, local
8 
government units (LGUs), concerned non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
9 
private entities, and local communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be
10 
consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.
11 
Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act,
12 
the mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established,
13 
and the full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of
14 
biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystems, and cultural and indigenous
15 
practices.
16 
Sec. 3. Classification as a National Park. — The MMPL is comprised of a parcel
17 
of land of the public domain located in the Municipalities of Oas and Polangui, and
18 
the Cities of Ligao and Tabaco, in the Province of Albay, the metes and bounds of
19 
which are described in Section 4 of this Act. All lands of the public domain within the
20 
coverage and scope of the MMPL shall fall under the classification of national park as
21 
provided for in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.
22 
Sec. 4. Scope and Coverage. — The boundaries of the MMPL are more
23 
particularly described as the area beginning at a point marked "1" on the map being
24 
S23042'25"E, 630.51 meters from PRS Control Monument "CBM-11" with geographic
25 
coordinates of 13018'41.12556" Latitude and 123035'47.39395" Longitude within the
26 
boundary of the Municipality of Oas and the Cities of Ligao and Tabaco, Province of
27 
Albay:
28 
thence 
S 83o05' 20" W 
694.83 
meters to corner 
2 ;
29 
thence 
S 80o02' 58" W 
604.82 
meters to corner 
3 ;
30 
thence 
S 76033' 05" W 
494.31 
meters to corner 
4 ;
2


1
thence
N 59055' 53" W
229.45
meters to corner
5 ;
2
thence
N 76025' 46" W
311.79
meters to corner
6 ;
3
thence
N 53°14' 02" W
238.61
meters to corner
7 ;
4
thence
N 28027' 37" W
479.32
meters to corner
8 ;
5
thence
N 14°57' 31" E
267.00
meters to corner
9 ;
6
thence
N 64° 14' 48" W
217.54
meters to corner
10;
7
thence
N 34047' 21" W
227.78
meters to corner
11;
8
thence
N 44o04' 23" W
430.3
meters to corner
12;
9
thence
N 08o06, 56" E
550.97
meters to corner
13;
10
thence
N 42052' 44" E
319.77
meters to corner
14;
11
thence
N 28°4r 18" W
404.04
meters to corner
15;
12
thence
N 58015'59" W
351.92
meters to corner
16;
13
thence
N 25°08,47" W
375.08
meters to corner
17;
14
thence
S 58028' 59" E
621.38
meters to corner
18;
15
thence
N 32o05' 33" E
348.02
meters to corner
19;
16
thence
N 08o25' 37" E
272.8
meters to corner
20;
17
thence
N 45o00' 00" E
254.42
meters to corner
21;
18
thence
N 60°01' 13" E
292.49
meters to corner
22;
19
thence
S 46°58' 53" E
548.43
meters to corner
23;
20
thence
S 40o41' 09" E
1717.30
meters to corner
24;
21
thence
N 53o14'00" E
223.03
meters to corner
25;
22
thence
S 47015' 53" E
1912.7
meters to corner
26;
23
thence
S 06°49,01" E
233.82
meters to corner
27;
24
thence
S 57057'45" W
847.69
meters to corner
1
25 
the point of beginning, containing an area of EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY (840)
26 
HECTARES, more or less. Bearings and distances of lines were derived using the PRS
27 
1992 Philippines Zone IV coordinate system, subject to ground delineation and
28 
demarcation.
29 
Sec. 5. Establishment of Buffer Zones. — The Secretary of the Department
30 
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the


1 
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) created under Section 6 of this Act, may
2 
designate areas surrounding the MMPL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing
3 
an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That in
4 
cases where the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners
5 
thereof shall be required to design their development with due consideration to the
6 
protected area management plan.
7 
ARTICLE II
8 
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
9 
Sec. 6. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). — Within ninety (90)
10 
days from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)
11 
shall be created to oversee the management of the MMPL. The PAMB shall be
12 
composed of the following:
13 
a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region V, as Chairperson;
14 
b) Governor of the Province of Albay or a duly designated representative;
15 
c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents
16 
of the Province of Albay, or their duly authorized representatives, unless the
17 
Senators decline the membership in the PAMB;
18 
d) District Representative of the Congressionai District where the MMPL is
19 
located, or a duly designated representative, unless the District
20 
Representative declines the membership in the PAMB;
21 
e) Mayors of the Municipalities of Oas and Polangul, and the Cities of Ligao and
22 
Tabaco, in the Province of Albay or their duly designated representatives;
23 
f) 
Chairpersons of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the MMPL;
24 
g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely:
25 
Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic and Development
26 
Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine


1 
National Police (PNP), Department of National Defense (DND), and
2 
Department of Tourism (DOT);
3 
h) Three (3) representatives from either NGOs or people's organizations (POs)
4 
based in the Province of Albay, duly accredited both by the DENR and the
5 
provincial government. The NGOs or POs represented should have been in
6 
existence for at least five (5) years and with track record in or related to
7 
protected area management;
8 
i) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the
9 
indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/indigenous peoples (IPs) present in
10 
the area and recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
11 
(NCIP);
12 
j) One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a
13 
university or college in the Province of Albay, with proven track record in or
14 
related to protected area management; and
15 
k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the
16 
Province of Albay, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest
17 
relevant to the management of a protected area.
18 
The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their
19 
removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586,
20 
otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992"
21 
as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National
22 
Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018".
23 
Sec. 7. Functions of the PAMB. — The PAMB shall have the following powers
24 
and functions:
25 
a) Oversee the management of the MMPL;
26 
b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other
27 
related documents for the management of the MMPL;


1 
c) Approve the management plan of the MMPL and ensure its harmonization
2 
with and integration into the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and
3 
Protection Plan, land use plan and other development plans, public or
4 
private, and their implementation;
5 
d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures in the conduct
6 
of business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of
7 
reference;
8 
e) Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for the
9 
enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the management
10 
of the MMPL;
11 
f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan
12 
and manage the Protected Area - Retention Income Account (PA-RIA) 
and
13 
other funds in accordance with government accounting, 
budgeting, and
14 
auditing rules and regulations;
15 
g) Set fees and charges in accordance with existing guidelines;
16 
h) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate
17 
and effective means;
18 
i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government
19 
authorities with respect to the management of the MMPL;
20 
j) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent
21 
(PASu) and other protected area personnel and compliance of partners with
22 
the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract or agreement relative
23 
to any project or activity within the MMPL;
24 
k) Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation
25 
or appointment of the Protected Area Superintendent; and
26 
I) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the MMPL: Provided, That
27 
the members of the PAMB representing the LGUs and national agencies shall


1 
inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of PAMB-approved or
2 
other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, and projects and shall
3 
ensure that the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations issued to
4 
implement it are complied with and used as reference and framework in
5 
their respective plans, policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply
6 
with the foregoing shall be the basis for disciplinary action against such
7 
member according to administrative rules and regulations and such penalties
8 
as the PAMB may provide: Provided, further, That the DENR, through the
9 
Regional Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts within the scope of its
10 
powers and functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions issued by
11 
the PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national application, the
12 
latter shall prevail.
13 
Sec. 8. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). — There is hereby
14 
established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a
15 
Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day-to-day
16 
management, protection, and administration of the MMPL. The PASu shall hold a
17 
permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A
18 
sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be
19 
appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the
20 
protected area.
21 
The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
22 
management and operations of the MMPL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
23 
following duties and responsibilities:
24 
a) Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders,
25 
including the annual work and financial plan, and ensure its
26 
implementation;
27 
b) Ensure the integration of relevant national and LGU plans and programs
28 
into MMPL management plans, programs, projects, and policies;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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;
f) 
Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the MMPL, commence 
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;


1 
k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and
2 
financial plans of the MMPL based on the management plan; and
3 
I) Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.
4 
The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and
5 
natural resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of
6 
the DENR.
7 
ARTICLE III
8 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
9 
Sec. 9. The Mt Masaraga Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area
10 
Fund. — There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Mt. Masaraga
11 
Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (MMPL-IPAF) for purposes of
12 
financing projects of the MMPL and the NIPAS. All income generated from the
13 
operation and management of the MMPL shall accrue to the MMPL-IPAF. The income
14 
shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of resources and facilities of the
15 
MMPL, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the MMPL,
16 
and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the MMPL.
17 
The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised
18 
through the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained
19 
Income Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the
20 
locality: Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for
21 
the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the MMPL and
22 
implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining twenty-five
23 
percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a speciai account in the General
24 
Fund of the National Treasury for purposes of financing the projects of the NIPAS.
25 
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments from
26 
various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shaii be deposited in
27 
full as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall
28 
be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of
29 
the NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with
9


1 
existing accounting, budgeting and auditing, rules and regulations: Provided, further,
2 
That the fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.
3 
The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated
4 
herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, property tax
5 
and rentals of LGUs' facilities.
6 
ARTICLE IV
7 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
8 
Sec. 10. Appropriations. — The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately
9 
include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of
10 
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
11 
Sec. 11. Suppietory Appiication of the NIP AS Law. — The provisions of
12 
Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have
13 
suppietory application to this Act.
14 
Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days
15 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with
16 
the local governments of the Municipalities of Oas and Polangui, and the Cities of
17 
Ligao and Tabaco, the provincial government of Albay, and concerned national
18 
government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective
19 
implementation of this Act.
20 
Sec. 13. Separability Cause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
21 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
22 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
23 
Sec. 14. Repealing Cause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
24 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
25 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
26 
Sec. 15. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
27 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
10