SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s. No. 1045 
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
. EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
JUL 23 A 9 :01 
This bill seeks to declare the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary in the Province 
of Tawi- Tawi as a protected area. 
The Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers 242,967.72 hectares, is 
comprised of six major turtle nesting islands. These islands serve as a nesting 
ground of the endangered species of marine turtles. Aside from three other islands in 
Malaysia, the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is considered the only remaining 
major nesting ground of the Green Turtles in the ASEAN Region. Also found in this 
area are diverse marine resources ranging from marine vertebrates and 
invertebrates, to seaweeds and corals. The Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is 
among the ten priority protected areas in the country under the Conservation of 
Priority Protected Areas Project. 
Recognizing the value of this area, the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary was 
established by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 171, dated August 26, 1999. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to declare the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary as 
protected in order to protect it from indiscriminate exploitation and to be able to 
maintain its ecological balance and preserve its source of water supply. 
Given the importance of biodiversity, it is deemed crucial that we act on these 
now to ensure that our children and the succeeding generations will inherit a living 
earth with all of its bountiful natural resources and vibrant wildlife. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
} 
} 
} 
'13 
JUL 23 
1\ 9 :01 
SENATE 
S. No. 1045 
Introduced by Senator Pia S. Cayetano 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING TURTLE ISLANDS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN THE 
PROVINCE OF TAWI-TAWI AS 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: 
1 
SECTION 1. 
Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Turtle Islands Wildlife 
2 
Sanctuary Act of 2013". 
3 
SEC. 2. Land Classification. - All lands of the public domain comprising the Turtle 
4 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area shall fall under the classification of National 
5 
Park as provided for in the Philippine Constitution. 
6 
SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage. - The Turtle Islands Protected Area hereby known 
7 
as Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS) shall cover the islands of Taganak, 
8 
Langaan, Boan, Lihiman, Great Bakkungan, Baguan Island and Sibaung within the 
9 
Municipality of Turtle Islands in the Province of Tawi-Tawi, including the municipal 
10 
waters thereof pursuant to the law on territorial waters, containing a total area of more 
11 
or less TWO HUNDRED FORTY-TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY SEVEN 
12 
(242,967) hectares, THREE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN (318) hectares of which constitute 
13 
the aggregate land portion of the six islands while the remaining TWO HUNDRED 
14 
FORTY TWO THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED FORTY NINE (242, 649) hectares 
15 
constitute the marine portion. 
16 
The Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary begins at a point marked "1" on the map 
17 
which is to identical to corner 1 of the existing International treaty limits with coordinates 
18 
06°00'00" latitude and 118°37'47.83" longitude based from NAMRIA Map of Balabac 
2 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
Strait No. 4720, Cybersoft Inc.; 
Thence Due West 
Thence N 52° 00'00" W 
Thence Due North 
Thence Due East 
Thence S 53° 27'49.5" E 
Thence S 85° 24'07.9"E 
Thence S 71 ° 26'46.2"E 
Thence S 52° 27'48.2" E 
Thence S 15° 20'38.4" E 
Thence Due South 
32, 349.00 meters 
to corner 2; 
51,840.00 meters 
to corner 3; 
21,035.15 meters 
to corner 4; 
14,400.00 meters 
to corner 5; 
17,394.45 meters 
to corner 6; 
17, 921.65 meters 
to corner 7; 
8,518.67 meters 
to corner 8; 
20, 990.33 meters 
to corner 9; 
8, 461.24 meters 
to corner 10; 
17,500.00 meters 
to corner 1 
12 
A 15-Kilometer distance reckoned from the shoreline of each of the islands is 
13 
extended to form the protected area boundary within the Philippine waters. 
14 
The technical descriptions of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary shall be subject 
15 
to actual ground survey using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Marine buoys shall 
16 
be established on the corners as protected area boundary markers. 
17 
The technical descriptions provided in this Act will be subject to ground survey and 
18 
verification to be conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 
19 
Any modification of the coverage of this Act due to such factors as changing ecological 
20 
situations, new scientific or archeological findings, or discovery of traditional boundaries 
21 
not previously taken into account shall be made through an act of Congress, after 
22 
consultation with the affected public and concerned government agenCies. 
23 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
24 
defined as follows: 
25 
a) "Ancestral domain" refers to all areas generally belonging to ICCslIPs 
26 
compriSing lands, inland waters, coastal areas, and natural resources therein, held 
27 
under a claim of ownership, occupied or possessed by the ICCsIIPs, by themselves or 
28 
thru their ancestors, communally or individually since time immemorial, continuously to 
29 
the present except if interrupted by war, force majeure or displacement by force, deceit, 
30 
stealth or as a consequence of government projects or any other voluntary dealings 
31 
entered into by government or public indiViduals/corporations, and which are necessary 
32 
to ensure their economic, social and cultural welfare. It shall include ancestral lands, 
33 
forests, pasture, residential, agricultural, and other lands individually owned whether 
34 
alienable and disposable or otherwise, hunting grounds, burial grounds, worship areas, 
35 
bodies of water, mineral and other natural resources, and lands which may no longer be 
36 
exclusively occupied by ICCslIPs but from which they traditionally had access to for 
3 


1 
their subsistence and traditional activities, particularly the home ranges of ICCsllPs who 
2 
are still nomadic and/or shifting cultivators. 
3 
b) "Biodiversity" refers to variety and variability among living organisms and the 
4 
ecological complexes in which said organisms occur. 
5 
c) "Biological resources" includes genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, 
6 
population, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or 
7 
value for humanity. 
8 
d) "Bioprospecting" means the research, collection and utilization of biological and 
9 
genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived therefrom solely for 
1 0 
commercial purposes. 
11 
e) "Buffer Zone" refers to an identified area outside the boundaries of an 
12 
immediately adjacent to designated areas pursuant to Section 8 of NIPAS Act of 1992 
13 
that need special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the 
14 
protected area. 
15 
f) "Collection or collecting" is the act of gathering or harvesting wildlife, its by-
16 
products or derivatives. 
17 
g) "Conservation" means preservation and sustainabie utilization of wildlife, and/or 
18 
maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the habitat. 
19 
h) "Endangered species" refers to species or subspecies of flora and fauna that is 
20 
not critically endangered but whose survival in the wild is unlikely if the causal factors 
21 
continue operating. 
22 
i) "Endemic species" means species or subspecies of flora and fauna which is 
23 
naturally occurring and found only within specific areas in the country. 
24 
j) "Exotic species" means species or subspecies of flora and fauna which do not 
25 
naturally occur within the protected area at present or in historical time. 
26 
k) "Habitat" means a place or type of environment where a species or subspecies 
27 
naturally occurs or has naturally established its population. 
28 
29 
I) "Hunting" refers to collection of wild fauna for food and/or recreational purposes 
30 
with the use of weapons such as guns, bow and arrow, spear and the like. 
31 
m) "Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous People (ICC/IPs)" refers to a 
32 
group of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and ascription by 
33 
others, who have continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded 
34 
and defined territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, 
35 
occupied, possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, 
36 
customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance 
4 


1 
to political, social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and 
2 
cultures, became historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. 
IPs shall 
3 
likewise include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent 
4 
from the populations which inhabited the Country, at the time of conquest or 
5 
colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the 
6 
establishment of present state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, 
7 
economic, cultural and political institutions, but who may have been displaced from their 
8 
traditional domains or who may have resettled outside their ancestral domains. 
9 
n) "Management plan" refers to the fundamental plan, strategy and/or scheme 
10 
which shall guide all activities relating to the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary in order to 
11 
attain the objectives of this Act. 
12 
0) "Mineral" refers to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid, gas, liquid, 
13 
or any intermediate state including energy materials such as coal, petroleum, natural 
14 
gas, radioactive materials, and geothermal energy. 
15 
p) "Multiple-Use Zone" refers to area where settlement, traditional and/or 
16 
sustainable land use, including agriculture, agro-forestry, extraction activities and other 
17 
income generating or livelihood activities, may be allowed to the extent prescribed in the 
18 
management plan. 
19 
q) "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)" is the classification and 
20 
administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological 
21 
processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable 
22 
use of resource found therein, and maintain their natural conditions to the greatest 
23 
extent possible. 
24 
r) "National Park" refers to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness 
25 
character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of 
26 
exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such 
27 
exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic 
28 
objects, wild animals and planfs therein and to provide e'njoyment of these features in 
29 
such areas. 
30 
s) "Non-governmental organization (NGO)" refers to an agency, institution, 
31 
foundation 
or a 
group 
of persons 
whose 
purpose 
is 
to 
assist 
peoples 
32 
organizations/associations in various ways including, but not limited to, organizing, 
33 
education, training, research and/or resource accessing. 
34 
t) "People's Organization" refers to a group of organized migrant communities and 
35 
or interested indigenous peoples which may be an association, cooperative, federation, 
36 
or other legal entity, established to undertake collective action to address community 
5 


1 
concerns and needs, and mutually share the benefits of the endeavor. 
2 
u) "Protected Area" refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by 
3 
reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance 
4 
biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation. 
5 
v) "Protected Area Management Board" refers to a multi-sectoral policy-making 
6 
body for protected areas created in accordance with RA 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992; 
7 
w) "Special use zone" is an area containing existing installations of national 
8 
significance, such as telecommunication facilities, irrigation canals or electric power 
9 
lines. 
10 
x) "Sustainable use" means the use of components of biological diversity in a way 
11 
and rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby 
12 
maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future 
13 
generations. 
14 
y) "Tenured Migrants" refers to forest occupants who have actually and 
15 
continuously occupied a portion of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary and is solely 
16 
dependent therein for subsistence. 
A Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary occupant is 
17 
understood to be "solely dependent for subsistence" when everything indispensable for 
18 
survival for the household, including food, clothing, shelter and health, comes only from 
19 
the utilization of resources from the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary. 
20 
z) "Trawl" refers to an active fishing gear consisting of a bag shaped net with or 
21 
without otter boards to open its opening which is dragged or towed along the bottom or 
22 
through the water columns to take fishery species by straining them from the water, 
23 
including all variations and modifications of trawls (bottom, mid-water, and baby trawls) 
24 
and tow nets. 
25 
aa) "Wildlife" means wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all 
26 
developmental stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or 
27 
propagated. 
28 
bb) "Wildlife Sanctuary" means an area which assures the natural conditions 
29 
necessary to protect nationally significant species, group of species, biotic communities 
30 
or physical feature of the environment where these may require specific human 
31 
manipulation for their perpetuation. 
32 
SEC.5. The Turtle Island Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Management Board. 
33 
- A Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
34 
shall be created to be composed of the following: 
35 
(1) The Regional Executive Director (RED) of the DENR ARMM, as Chairperson; 
36 
(2) Provincial Planning and Development Officers of the Province of Tawi- Tawi; 
6 


1 
(3) The Mayors of the Municipality of Turtle Islands in the Province of Tawi-Tawi, 
2 
or their duly designated representatives; 
3 
(4) One representative from each barangay covering the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
4 
Sanctuary Protected Area; 
5 
(5) At least two (2) representatives from local POs with stakes in the Turtle 
6 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area, chosen from among themselves; 
7 
(6) At least three (3) representatives from the local NGOs with stakes in the Turtle 
8 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area, chosen from among themselves; 
9 
(7) One representative from government agencies involved in the Turtle Islands 
10 
Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area management; and 
11 
(8) One representative from each tribal community residing within the Turtle 
12 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; 
13 
Each member of the PAMB shall serve for a term of five (5) years and shall be 
14 
considered to represent his or her sector and deemed to carry the vote of such sector in 
15 
all matters. In the case of members who are government officials, the term of office shall 
16 
be attached to the office held. 
17 
The members of the PAMB shall be appointed by the Secretary of the DENR in 
18 
conformity with the provisions of the NIPAS Act. As a transitory provision, the initial 
19 
members of the PAMB shall be nominated from the current members of the interim 
20 
PAMBs of the five (5) component areas of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
21 
Protected Area. Their nominations shall be conducted in a joint meeting of the current 
22 
members of the interim PAMBs duly called for the purpose: Provided, further, that at 
23 
least one-third (1/3) of the members shall be women. 
24 
In the selection of the representatives of POs and NGOs, preference shall be 
25 
accorded to those organizations that are involved in the conservation, protection and 
26 
development of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area. Representation 
27 
shall be by institution and shall aim to achieve balance in representation by geographic 
28 
location or areas. 
29 
The representatives from the LGUs and national agencies in the PAMB shall 
30 
include among their duty to appraise their respective constituents, office or sector, of 
31 
PAMB approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs and projects 
32 
and to ensure that the provisions of this Act are observed, complied with, and used as 
33 
reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, programs and projects. 
34 
Failure to comply with the foregoing shall subject such representative to disciplinary 
35 
action as the PAMB may provide. 
36 
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
7 


1 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance 
2 
in meeting of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by a 
3 
resolution of the Board, subject to existing rules and regulations. 
4 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. -
The PAMB of the Turtle Islands 
5 
Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area, which shall decide by consensus or majority vote, 
6 
shall have the following duties and functions, in addition to the duties and functions 
7 
enumerated in the implementing rules and regulations of the NIPAS Act: 
8 
(1) Issue rules and regulations to prohibit acts that may be prejudicial to the Turtle 
9 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area and to the declaration of policy set forth under 
10 
the NIPAS; 
11 
(2) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate 
12 
and effective means; 
13 
(3) Adopt rules and procedures in the conduct of business, including the creation of 
14 
committees to which its powers may be delegated; 
15 
(4) Approve the management plan and oversee the office of the PASu; 
16 
(5) Establish criteria and set fees for the issuance of permits for activities regulated 
17 
by this Act or the management plan; 
18 
(6) Recommend the deputization of appropriate individuals, including local 
19 
community leaders, for the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the 
20 
conduct or management of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; 
21 
(7) Approve fees and charges in accordance with DAO 51, Series of 2000 and 
22 
raise funds for the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; 
23 
(8) Manage the allocation of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area 
24 
Fund ,and other funds for the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area, ensure 
25 
their proper administration and render accounting; and 
26 
(9) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government 
27 
authorities. 
28 
The DENR, through the Regional Executive Director (RED), shall ensure that the 
29 
PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between 
30 
administrative orders issued by the DENR pursuant to the NIPAS Act and the 
31 
resolutions issued by the PAMB, such conflict shall be referred by PAMB to the DENR 
32 
Secretary who shall decide whether to apply the rule or withdraw its application from 
33 
the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area. . 
34 
SEC. 7. Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Office. -
The Protected Area 
8 


1 
Superintendent (PASu) Office is hereby created within the DENR Regional office to be 
2 
headed by the PASu who shall serve as the Chief Operating DENR Officer of the entire 
3 
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area. The PASu shall report directly to the 
4 
RED of the DENR-Region ARMM and shall be accountable to the PAMB. The PASu 
5 
and the PASu staff shall reside within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected 
6 
Area and establish an office in order to implement this Act. 
7 
The PASu shall have full responsibility for the protection of land, water, wildlife and 
8 
other natural physical and biological resources within the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
9 
Sanctuary Protected Area. As such, the PASu shall have the following powers and 
10 
functions in addition to those provided under the NIPAS and its implementing rules and 
11 
regulations: 
12 
Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system as a decision 
13 
support tool; 
14 
(2) Prepare the management plan as herein defined; 
15 
(3) Provide a secretariat for the PAMB and supply the PAMB with all the necessary 
16 
information to make appropriate decisions for the implementation of this Act; 
17 
(4) Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
18 
Sanctuary Protected Area, institute and file legal action independently or in collaboration 
19 
with other government agencies or organizations and assist in the prosecution of 
20 
offenses committed in violation of this Act; . 
21 
(5) Monitor all activities within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area 
22 
to ensure its conformity with the management plan; 
23 
(6) Ensure the integration of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area 
24 
management policies, regulations, programs and projects in all concerned national and 
25 
local government unit levels; 
26 
(7) Recommend the issuance of permits based on terms, conditions and criteria 
27 
established by the PAMB; and 
28 
(8) Perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed 
29 
by the PAMB and higher authorities. 
30 
SEC. 8. Indigenous People's Rights. - Ancestral domain and other customary 
31 
rights and interests of indigenous communities within the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
32 
Sanctuary Protected Area shall be accorded due recognition. The preservation of 
33 
ancestral domain and customary rights shall be considered as one of the management 
34 
objectives. The maintenance, management and development of ancestral domains 
35 
which are found to be necessary for Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area 
36 
will be pursuant to Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the "The 
9 


1 
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA)". 
2 
The identification, delineation and recognition of ancestral domain claims within the 
3 
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area shall be conducted by the National 
4 
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) pursuant to the provisions the IPRA, and its 
5 
implementing rules and regulations, in coordination with the PAMB. 
6 
SEC. 9. Tenured Migrants and Other Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected 
7 
Area Occupants. -Tenured migrants shall be eligible become stewards of portions of 
8 
lands within allowable zones. The PAMB shall identify, verify and review all tenurial 
9 
instruments, land claims, and issuances of permits for resource use within the Turtle 
10 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area and recommend the issuance of the 
11 
appropriate tenurial instrument consistent with the zoning provided in the management 
12 
plan. 
13 
Should areas occupied by tenured migrants be designated as zones in which no 
14 
occupation or other activities are allowed pursuant to the attainment of sustainable 
15 
development, provision for the transfer of said tenured migrants to multiple-use zones or 
16 
buffer zones shall be accomplished through just and humane means. 
17 
In the event of termination of a tenurial instrument for cause or by voluntary 
18 
surrender of rights, the PASu shall take immediate steps to rehabilitate the area in order 
19 
to return it to its natural state prior to the cultivation or other act by the tenured migrant. 
20 
Other Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area occupants who do not 
21 
qualify as tenured migrants shall be resettled outside the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
22 
Sanctuary Protected Area as determined by the PAMB. The PAMB shall determine, 
23 
plan and implement a definite schedule for resettling them outside of the Turtle Islands 
24 
Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area following the procedures set forth by existing law. 
25 
SEC. 10. 
Prohibited Acts and Penalties. -
The following shall be the 
26 
prohibitions and penalties applicable to the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected 
27 
Area, in addition to the prohibited acts as provided in the NIPAS Act and its pertinent 
28 
rules and regulations: 
29 
(A) The penalties provided for in Articles 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal 
30 
Code, depending on the value·of the resources taken, damaged or destroyed, shall be 
31 
imposed upon any person who: 
32 
Takes, destroys, collects, disturbs or possesses any wild terrestrial or aquatic 
33 
plants or animals, flora or fauna, sand, rocks or by-products derived therefrom, within 
34 
particularly identified regulated or prohibited areas zones in the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
35 
Sanctuary Protected Area including private lands without the necessary permit, 
10 


1 
authorization or exemption: Provided, That hunting of animals shall be absolutely 
2 
prohibited except for scientific research and for traditional hunting by the IPsIICCs; 
3 
(2) Cuts, gathers, removes or collects timber or any forest products, within 
4 
particularly identified regulated or prohibited areas or zones in the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
5 
Sanctuary Protected Area including private lands without the necessary permit, 
6 
authorization or exemption; 
7 
(3) Possesses or transports, within or outside the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
8 
Protected Area any timber, forest products, wild terrestrial or aquatic plants, animals, 
9 
flora or fauna, or by-product derived therefrom which is ascertained to have been taken 
10 
from the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; 
11 
(4) Undertakes mineral exploration or extraction within the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
12 
Sanctuary Protected Area; 
13 
(5) Engages in quarrying of sand, gravel, guano, limestone or any material within 
14 
the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; 
15 
(6) Hunts, collects, removes or destroys any endangered or protected species, 
16 
except when collection or removal is for scientific research and exempted from thE} 
17 
prohibition by the PAMB; 
18 
(7) Conducts bioprospecting within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected 
19 
Area without prior PAMB approval in accordance with eXisting guidelines; or 
20 
(8) Establishes or introduces exotic species within the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
21 
Sanctuary Protected Area which are detrimental to endemic species or without prior 
22 
PAMB approval. 
23 
(B) A fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) nor more than Five 
24 
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) and/or imprisonment from one (1) year but not 
25 
more than six (6) years shall be imposed upon any person who: 
26 
Violates any rules and regulations in the management plan or by the PAMB or 
27 
agreements reached before the PAMB in the exercise of adjudicative functions; 
28 
Erects any structure on land or on water for any purposes outside the management 
29 
plan: Provided, That large-scale private infrastructure and other projects such as 
30 
medium to high density residential subdivisions, medium to large commercial and 
31 
industrial establishments, golf-courses, heavily mechanized commercial and non-
32 
traditional farming, and other activities that cause increased in-migration, pollution and 
33 
resource degradation are absolutely prohibited; 
34 
Possesses a chainsaw, hacksaw and other mechanized equipment within the 
35 
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area without a permit; 
36 
Throws, dumps or causes to be dumped into the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
11 


1 
Protected Area any non-biodegradable material or waste whether liquid, solid or gas; 
2 
Uses, dumps, places or causes to be placed into the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
3 
Sanctuary Protected Area toxic chemicals, including pesticides and other hazardous 
4 
substances, unless the same is expressly allowed in the management plan; 
5 
Prospects, hunts or otherwise locates hidden treasures within the Turtle Islands 
6 
Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; 
7 
(7) Informally occupies or dwells in any land within the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
8 
Sanctuary Protected Area without clearance from the PAMB; 
9 
(8) Posseses or uses blasting caps or explosives anywhere within the Turtle 
10 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; 
11 
(9) Destroys, excavates, vandalizes or, in any manner, damages any natural 
12 
formation on land, religious, spiritual, historical sites, artifacts and other objects of 
13 
natural or scenic value; 
14 
(10) Alters, removes or destroys boundary marks or signs; 
15 
(11) Engages in kaingin, or, in any manner, causing forest fires inside the Turtle 
16 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area; or 
17 
(12) Purchases, or sells, mortgages or leases lands or other portions of the Turtle 
18 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area which are covered by any tenurial instrument. 
19 
Valuation of the damage for this Act shall take into account biodiversity and 
20 
conservation considerations as well as aesthetic and scenic value. Valuation assessed 
21 
by the DENR or the concerned government agency shall be presumed correct unless 
22 
otherwise proven by preponderant evidence. 
23 
. Any person who shall induce another or conspire to commit any of the illegal acts 
24 
prohibited in this Act or suffer their workers to commit any of the same shall be liable in 
25 
the same manner as the one actually performing the act. 
26 
All conveyances, vessels, equipments, paraphernalia, implements, gears, tools 
27 
and similar devices shall be subject to immediate and administrative confiscation, 
28 
independent of the judicial proceedings by the PASu Office upon apprehension, subject 
29 
however to due process and SUbstantial evidence requirements. When legal action is 
30 
however filed in the regular courts, the said conveyances, vessels, equipments, 
31 
paraphernalia, implements, gears, tools and similar devices, independent of the 
32 
administrative proceedings, shall not be released until after judgment has been 
33 
rendered. Proceeds of the sale of all objects administratively or judicially confiscated 
34 
pursuant hereto shall accrue to the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area 
12 


1 
Fund. Procedure for the sale thereof shall be promulgated by the PAMB. However, in no 
2 
case shall any confiscated or rescued protected animal species be sold or in any 
3 
manner disposed of but shall be immediately turned over to the PASu office for release 
4 
in its natural habitat, subject to existing regulations. 
5 
The penalties specified in this Section will be in addition to the penalties contained 
6 
in RA 9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act), RA 
7 
9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act), and other related laws. 
8 
Conviction for any offense under this Act, of a public officer or officer of the law 
9 
shall carry the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office. 
10 
SEC. 11. 
Special Prosecutor and Retained Counsel. - Within thirty (30) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall appoint a special 
12 
prosecutor to whom all cases of violation of laws, rules and regulations in the Turtle 
13 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area shall be assigned. Such Special Prosecutor 
14 
shall coordinate with the PAMB and the PASu in the performance of his/her duties and 
15 
assist in the training of wardens and rangers in arrest and criminal procedures. The 
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PAMB may retain the services of a counsel to prosecute and/or assist in the prosecution 
17 
of cases under the direct control and supervision of the regular or special prosecutor 
18 
and to defend the members of the PAMB, the PASu and the staff, or any person 
19 
assisting in the protection, conservation and sustainable development of the Turtle 
20 
Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area, against any legal action related to their 
21 
powers, functions and responsibilities as provided in this Act or as delegated or tasked 
22 
by the PAMB. 
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SEC. 12. 
T urt/e Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Fund. -There is 
24 
hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
25 
Protected Area Fund for purposes of financing projects of the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
26 
Sanctuary Protected Area. Seventy-five percent (75%) income generated from the 
27 
operation of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area or management of wild 
28 
flora and fauna in the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area shall accrue to 
29 
the fund. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) shall go to the Integrated Protected 
30 
Areas Fund (IPAF) as established in the NIPAS Act of 1992. 
31 
Income shall be derived from visitors/tourists fee, fees from permitted sale and 
32 
export of flora and fauna and other resources from the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
33 
Protected Area, proceeds from the registration and lease of multiple-use areas, 
·34 
including tourism concessions, fees, proceeds, and contributions from industries and 
35 
facilities directly benefiting from the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area, 
13 


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and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
Sanctuary Protected Area. 
The PAMS may impose and charge reasonable fees, such as but not limited to 
water users fee for water extracted by commercial water extractors/distributors sourced 
and generated from the protected area. Such fee structure may change as the PAMS 
may see fit. 
The Fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various 
sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions: 
Provided, 
disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, 
administration and management of the system, and duly approved projects endorsed by 
the PAMS 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 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. Provided, LGUs may charge add-ons to fees imposed by 
the PAMS: Provided, That such add-ons shall be determined based on the contribution 
of the LGUs in the maintenance and protection of the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
Protected Area. 
SEC. 13. 
Existing Facilities Within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
Protected Area. - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, major existing 
facilities such as roads, buildings, water systems, transmission lines, communication 
facilities, heavy equipment, and irrigation facilities existing within the boundaries of the 
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area shall submit project description to the 
PAMS through the PASu. 
The PAMS, with the assistance of the DENR, shall determine whether the 
existence of such facility and its future plan and operations will be detrimental to the 
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area or whether conditions for its operation 
shall be imposed. If any such conditions are violated, the owner of the facility shall be 
liable to pay a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) for every violation. Upon 
reaching a total fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), the PAMS 
through the PASu and deputizing other government entities, shall cause the cessation 
and demolition of the facility at the cost of its owner. 
Existing facilities allowed to remain within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
Protected Area may be charged a reasonable royalty by the DENR. All income from 
such royalty shall accrue to the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Fund. 
14 


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SEC. 14. 
Utilization of Resources. -
Any exploitation of or utilization of 
2 
nonrenewable resources within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area 
3 
shall not be allowed. Energy projects-within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
4 
Protected Area shall be allowed only through an act of Congress except energy from 
5 
wind, sun and water sources of not more than one (1) megawatt capacity for mini-hydro 
6 
power: Provided, That these renewable energy projects are established outside the 
7 
strict protection zone, 
adopt reduced 
impact technologies and 
undergo the 
8 
environmental impact assessment (EIA) system as provided by law and: Provided, 
9 
Further, that the PAMB endorsement has been obtained. 
10 
SEC. 15. 
Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall include in its 
11 
program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the 
12 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
13 
SEC. 16. Construction and Suppletory Application of Existing Laws. The provisions 
14 
of this Act shall be construed liberally in favor of achieving biodiversity conservation, 
15 
protection and sustainable development Provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise 
16 
known as the National Integrated Protected Areas Management Act of 1992 and 
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existing forestry laws, and their corresponding rules and regulations not inconsistent 
18 
hereto shall have the suppletory effect in the implementation of this Act. 
19 
SEC. 17. 
Transitory Provisions. -
In order to ensure the recovery and 
20 
restoration of biological diversity and to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities for 
21 
tenured migrants, the DENR shall henceforth cease to issue concessions, licenses, 
22 
permits, clearances, compliance documents or any other instrument that allows 
23 
exploitation and utilization of resources within the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 
24 
Protected Area until the management plan shall have been put into effect. 
25 
All existing land use and resource use permits within the Turtle Islands Wildlife 
26 
Sanctuary Protected Area shall be reviewed and shall not be renewed upon their 
27 
expiration unless consistent with the management plan and approved by the PAMB. 
28 
Moreover, areas determined by wildlife habitat and potable water sources and 
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reservoirs shall be declared protected and special use zones, respectively, and their 
30 
management and uses shall be consistent with the proviSion of the respective executive 
31 
orders, presidential proclamations and amendments establishing them. 
32 
SEC. 18. Reporting Responsibility. - The PASu, through the PAMB, shall submit 
33 
an annual accomplishment report to the Secretary of the DENR on the activities 
34 
undertaken in the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area. 
15 


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SEC. 19. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or section of this Act 
2 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such other parts not affected thereby shall 
3 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
4 
SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, proclamations, rules and 
5 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
6 
accordingly. 
7 
SEC. 21. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
8 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general 
9 
circulation available in the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area. 
10 
Approved. 
16