Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PUBLIC PARKS SYSTEM, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Sec. 16, Art. II of the 1987 Constitution states that “The State shall protect and advance 
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm 
and harmony of nature.”  
The 11th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations is to make cities and 
human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.1 
The Philippines, however, lags behind developed countries. The concept of a park is 
not clearly defined and the allocation of public spaces in urban areas for su ch purpose, 
is unmandated on a national level. 
This bill aims to establish the Philippine National Public Parks System which will 
conserve the scenery, and natural and historic objects, and to provide for their 
enjoyment in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the 
enjoyment of future generations. 
This proposed measure shall also recognize that parks and open spaces contribute to 
human health and well-being, social cohesion/identity, tourism, biodiversity, air 
quality and carbon sequestration, water 
management, and 
cooling the 
environment. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
1 https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11 
January 23, 2023
9:56 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
______________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PUBLIC PARKS SYSTEM, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
Chapter 1 - Introductory Sections 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "National Parks Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and 
maintain the health and well-being of the Filipino people, through the 
establishment and preservation of parks and open spaces. To this end, the 
State recognizes parks and open spaces as valuable assets, and as such: 
a) shall establish the Philippine National Public Parks System aimed to
conserve the scenery, and natural and historic objects, and provide for
their enjoyment in such manner and by such means as will leave them
unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
b) shall recognize that parks and open spaces contribute to human health
and well-being, social cohesion/identity, tourism, biodiversity, air
quality and carbon sequestration, water management, and cooling the
environment.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following words shall 
mean: 
a)
Administrator – refers to the Chief Executive Officer and Head of the
National and Local Public Parks Authority (NALPA) Secretariat as
defined in Sec. of this Act.
b) Board – refers to the NALPA Board as defined in Sec. 5 of this Act.
c) National and Local Public Parks refer to any land laid out as a public
garden and/or used for the purpose of public recreation. This does not
refer to national shrines administered by the Philippine Veterans Affairs
Office.
d) National and Local Public Parks System or the System – refers to the
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system of parks and open spaces as defined under Chapter 4 of this 
Act. 
e) NIPAS – refers to the National Integrated Protected Areas System as 
defined in Republic Act No. 7586, as amended, or the NIPAS Act. 
f) NPDC – refers to the National Parks Development Committee created by 
Executive Order 30 series of 1963. 
g) NPF or NPFI – refers to the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc., a 
government owned and controlled corporation registered with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 1969, as a non-stock, 
non-profit corporation. Presidential Decree No. 37 established the 
Nayong Pilipino Foundation on November 6, 1972. 
h) Protected Areas – refers to the Protected Areas as defined under the 
NIPAS Act. 
i) Secretariat – refers to the NALPA Secretariat as defined under Sec. 7 of 
this Act. 
 
Chapter 2 – Establishment of the National and Local Public Parks 
Authority 
 
Sec. 4. Composition of the Authority. — The Authority shall be composed 
of the Board and the Secretariat. 
 
Sec. 5. Composition of the Board. — The NALPA Board shall be composed 
of the representatives of the following: 
Secretary of Tourism : Chairperson 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources: Co-Chairperson 
[who shall be officially represented by the 
Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau] 
Secretary of Public Works and Highways : Member 
Secretary of the Agriculture : Member 
Secretary of Interior and Local Government : Member 
Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education : Member 
Director-General of the TESDA Secretariat : Member 
In addition, the President of the Philippines shall appoint the following 
members from the private sector: 
Two representatives, from a recognized professional architectural 
organization; and 
Two representatives, from the academe, preferably in urban planning 
and development. 
As soon as all the members of the private sector are appointed, they 
shall so organize themselves that the term of office of one-third (1/3) of their 
number shall expire every year. The member from the private sector appointed 
thereafter to fill vacancies caused by expiration of terms shall hold office for 
three (3) years. 
The President of the Philippines may, however, revise the membership 
of the NALPA Board, whenever the President deems it necessary for the 


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effective performance of the Board’s functions through an administrative 
order. 
The NALPA Board shall meet at least twice a year, or as frequently as 
may be deemed necessary by its Chairperson. In the absence of the 
Chairperson, a Co-Chairperson shall preside. The internal rules of the NALPA 
Board shall be promulgated during its first organizational meeting. 
The benefits, privileges and emoluments of the Board shall be 
consistent with existing laws and rules. 
 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. — The Authority shall primarily 
be responsible for the National and Local Public Parks System including the 
establishment of policies, plans and programs taking into consideration the 
following: 
a) the State policy declared herein of giving due consideration to the 
establishment and maintenance of national and urban parks, open and 
green spaces, and recreational facilities; 
b) the implementation of the above-mentioned policy requires the 
coordination and cooperation of policies, plans, and programs of 
different concerned sectors of Philippine society; and 
c) equal and active participation of the national government and its 
appropriate agencies, the LGUs, the academe, and the private sector 
shall be made the rule in order to ensure that the National and Local 
Public Parks System shall be fully established and maintained. 
The Board, shall have the following powers: 
a) Establish minimum quotas for all LGUs for the designation of municipal 
and city lands for public parks, where applicable. 
b) manage the country’s National and Local Public Parks System, and in 
doing so shall guide and assist other government agencies and entities, 
and the LGUs in the planning, establishment, and management of 
parks that will be included in the System; 
c) promulgate, after due consultation with concerned groups and entities, 
policies, plans, programs and guidelines as may be necessary for the 
effective implementation of this Act and the establishment of the 
National and Local Public Parks System; 
d) establish and manage the National and Local Public Parks Institute 
which shall serve as the national center for park administration, 
management, and maintenance training, research and development; 
e) in coordination with the Biodiversity Management Bureau, shall make 
Protected Areas accessible to the public for recreational purposes; 
f) organize and constitute standing committees, subsidiary groups, or 
technical working groups for the efficient integration and coordination 
of local open spaces and urban parks; 
g) exact reasonable fees and charges for such services provided and 
trainings conducted and retain such earnings for its own use, subject 
to guidelines promulgated by the Authority; 
h) create, when deemed necessary, an Advisory Committee which shall 


4 
provide expert and technical advice to the Board to be chosen from the 
academe and the private sector: Provided, that in case the Advisory 
Committee is created, the Board is hereby authorized to set aside a 
portion of its appropriation for its operation; and 
i) carry out any and all other functions characteristic of public 
institutions of similar mandate and national scope, in line with 
prevailing international principles and best practices. 
 
Sec. 7. The NALPA Secretariat. — The NALPA Secretariat, an independent 
agency of the executive department, shall have the primary mission of 
providing pro-active leadership in the continuous development of systematic 
approaches as well as measures to maintain and manage the National and 
Local Public Parks System, and shall have the following functions and 
responsibilities: 
a) to establish and maintain a planning process and formulate a national 
parks development plan in which all concerned groups and entities at 
various levels participate; 
b) to provide analytical inputs to policy decision-making of the Authority 
on allocation of resources and institutional roles and responsibilities as 
shall be embodied in the annual national parks plans; 
c) to recommend measures, and implement the same upon approval by 
the Authority, for the effective and efficient implementation of the 
national parks development plan; 
d) to propose to the Authority the specific allocation of resources for the 
programs and projects it shall undertake pursuant to approved national 
parks development plan; 
e) to submit to the Authority periodic reports on the progress and 
accomplishment of work programs of implementation of plans and 
policies; and 
f) to perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned by the 
Board. 
 
Sec. 8. The Dissolution of NPDC and NFC and Transfer to NALPA 
Secretariat. — The NPDC and NFC are hereby dissolved and all their powers, 
functions, responsibilities, all applicable funds and appropriations, records, 
assets, and properties are hereby transferred to the NALPA Secretariat. 
 
Sec. 9. The NALPA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer. — The 
NALPA Secretariat shall be headed by an Administrator, who shall likewise be 
a member of the Board. The Administrator shall be appointed by the President 
of the Philippines and shall enjoy the benefits, privileges ad emoluments 
equivalent to the rank of Undersecretary. 
As Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat, the Administrator shall 
exercise general supervision and control over its technical and administrative 
personnel. The Administrator shall have the power to recommend to the 
Authority the structural organization and the personnel complement of the 


5 
Secretariat. Furthermore, Administrator shall appoint such personnel 
necessary to carry out the objectives, policies and functions of the Authority 
subject to Civil Service laws, rules and regulations. 
The Administrator may call upon other instrumentalities or entities of 
the government and nongovernment and civic organizations for assistance in 
terms of the use of their facilities and resources for the management and 
administration of any park in the System. This authority includes the power 
to call on the Philippine National Police to maintain peace and order in any 
park in the System. 
The performance of the functions of the Administrator under this Act 
shall, in no case, result in the diminution of the powers of the LGUs to 
establish their own parks or develop their own open or green spaces. 
 
Sec. 10. Deputy Administrators. — The Administrator shall be assisted by 
four (4) Deputy Administrators for: (i) Research and Development, (ii) National 
and Local Public Parks Operations, (iii) Local Public Parks Operations, and 
(iv) Park Architecture & Planning. 
The Deputy Administrators shall enjoy the benefits, privileges and 
emoluments equivalent to the rank of Assistant Secretary. 
 
Sec. 11. Regional Administrators. — The Regional Administrators shall be 
under the direct control of the Administrator and shall oversee the operations 
of National and Local Public Parks at the regional level. 
The Regional Administrators shall enjoy the benefits, privileges and 
emoluments equivalent to the rank of a Regional Director, and shall provide 
technical assistance particularly to local government units for effective 
supervision, coordination, and monitoring of national and local parks within  
their localities, and their integration to the National Public Park System. 
 
Sec. 12. Organizational Divisions. — The Secretariat shall have the 
following Divisions which shall be headed by Division Chiefs: 
a) 
Administrative Division 
b) Finance Division 
c) Programs and Public Affairs Division 
d) Internal Audit Division 
e) Security and Safety Division 
f) Information and Communications Technology Division 
g) Cultural & Heritage Preservation Division 
The following Divisions shall be headed by the Deputies Administrators: 
a) National Public Park Operations & Management 
b) Local Public Park Operations & Management 
c) Research & Development 
d) Park Architecture & Planning 
 
Sec. 13. Personnel Training, Development and Performance 
Incentives. — The Authority shall undertake training and development 


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programs to upgrade the capabilities of its personnel in its various functions. 
Personnel shall be allowed to train or study outside the Institute, in the 
Philippines or abroad, on official time, subject to the needs of the service, 
upon approval of the Administrator. 
A system of monetary incentives shall be established to reward the 
superior performance and milestones of professional development on the part 
of management and administrative and technical personnel, subject to 
approval of the Department of Budget and Management and, where 
applicable, to the Civil Service Commission. 
 
Sec. 14. Consultants and Technical Assistance, Publication and 
Research. — In pursuing its objectives, the Authority is hereby authorized to 
set aside a portion of its appropriation for the hiring of services of qualified 
consultants, and private organizations for research work and publication in 
the field of national and urban parks, and open and green spaces. It shall 
avail itself of the services of other agencies of the Government as may be 
required. 
 
Sec. 15. Privileges of the Authority. — In line with the declared policy and 
the avowed purposes of this Act, and to ensure its independence and 
autonomy, the NALPA Secretariat shall be attached solely for budgetary 
coordination and related purposes to the Office of the President. The 
Secretariat shall: 
a) be classified as a National Government Agency, primarily for 
administrative purposes, including receiving its annual budget from the 
general appropriations of the National Government to cover 
appropriately the entirety of its mandated operations and activities; 
b) be considered as higher in level than a Bureau or Bureau-level agency 
but beneath that of a Department or Department-level agency, 
primarily for administrative purposes as to staffing pattern and 
compensation scales; and 
b) 
enjoy such privileges and special rules characteristic of both a 
Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporation and a State University 
or College wherever possible and which, in any and all cases, promote 
the objectives of this Act; and that special rule as may be necessary to 
this effect be formulated and appropriately promulgated by the NALPA, 
the Department of Budget and Management, the Commission on Audit, 
and other concerned agencies. 
 
Chapter 3 – The National Parks Institute 
 
Sec. 16. The Creation of the National Parks Institute. — There is hereby 
created the National Parks Institute of the Philippines which shall be under 
the supervision of the Board. The Institute shall serve as the training and 
development arm of Authority. The Institute shall be headed by a Director. 
In coordination with CHED and state universities and colleges, and 


7 
other private universities and institutions, the Institute shall establish a 
unique training course aimed at supporting the purposes of this Act, and 
shall: 
a) formulate and implement training programs for all personnel of NALPA, 
and of LGUs, and other agencies, and private entities and institutions 
who wish to train with the Institute; 
b) formulate and implement select mandatory and specialized courses, 
and for that purpose shall be allowed to issue diplomas and technical 
certificates under such rules as will be coordinated with CHED and 
TESDA; 
c) develop and implement research and development to support NALPA 
and for educational training programs; and 
d) perform such other related functions as may be prescribed by NALPA 
and the Board. 
 
Chapter 4 – The National Parks System 
 
Sec. 17. Study and Planning of National Parks, Urban Parks, Open 
Spaces, and Recreational-Area Facilities. — Within 3 years from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Authority shall make a comprehensive study of the 
National Parks, Urban Parks, Open Spaces, and Recreational-Area Facilities 
programs of the national government and the LGUs and of areas of land 
throughout the Philippines that are or may be chiefly valuable as National 
Parks, Urban Parks, Open Spaces, and Recreational-Area Facilities. 
The report shall be submitted to the Board who shall be empowered to 
declare specifically identified areas as either National Parks, Urban Parks, 
Open Spaces, or Recreational-Area Facilities. 
 
Sec. 18. Identification of National Parks. — Notwithstanding any law or 
proclamation to the contrary, the following parks are hereby considered 
National Parks and shall be under the authority of the Authority: (1) the Rizal 
Park, and the (2) the Paco Park. 
The Administrator, and its Provincial Administrators, are strictly 
mandated to investigate, study, and continually monitor areas whose over-all 
circumstances exhibit qualities of national significance and that may have 
potential to become a NALPA Park. 
 
Sec. 19. Acquisition of Land. – In the exercise of its power under this Act, 
the Authority through the Administrator shall have the power to acquire land 
and interests in land within the boundary of any NALPA Park. In the same 
manner and for the establishment of an identified National Park, the power 
of eminent domain shall be exercised through the Administrator, or by any of 
its Deputies or Provincial Administrators. 
 
Sec. 20. Creation of Urban Parks and Open Spaces in LGUs. – Within the 
period provided by the Authority, LGUs shall be obliged to identify Urban 


8 
Parks and Open Spaces within their jurisdictions. 
Identified areas may either become NALPA Administered Parks or 
maintain their nature as Local Parks at the discretion of the LGU. 
The Authority is hereby mandated to enter into cooperative agreements 
with colleges and universities, in partnership with LGUs and other agencies, 
to establish cooperative study units to conduct multi-disciplinary research 
and develop integrated information products on the resources in the NALPA 
Parks, or the LGU of which the NALPA Park is located for possible commercial 
production or utilization. 
 
Sec. 21. Delineation of Authority and Coverage. - Subject to the IRR and 
dependent on the categorization of the land or an area, a nature reserve or a 
declared protected area under the NIPAS shall continue to be under the 
jurisdiction of the DENR. All other parks established or may be established 
may be covered under this Act. 
 
Sec. 22. Administration, Management, and Funding of NALPA Parks. – 
Subject to reasonable restrictions under the IRR, the general public are 
hereby to be granted free admission to all NALPA Parks. However, the 
Authority may levy appropriate fees to special activities or programs. 
 
Sec. 23. Retention of Income. – The Authority is hereby authorized to retain 
the entirety of its income from all sources of its operations nationwide, and 
to spend the same for any purpose. 
 
Sec. 24. The NALPA Fund. – The NALPA Fund is hereby established, to be 
managed/administered by the Authority, the income from which shall be 
utilized exclusively in awarding of grants and providing assistance to park 
development programs, local government units for upgrading their 
capabilities, and to develop and implement training and training-related 
activities for park development. The contribution to the fund shall be the 
following: 
a) a one-time lump sum appropriation from the National Government in 
the amount of P100,000,000.0; 
b) donations, grants, endowments, and other bequests or gifts of which 
the Authority is hereby authorized to accept, and 
c) any other income generated by the Authority. 
The Authority shall be the administrator of the fund, and as such, shall 
formulate the necessary implementing guidelines for the management of the 
fund, subject to the following: a) unless otherwise stipulated by the private 
donor, only earnings of private contributions shall be used; and b) no part of 
the seed capital of the fund, including earnings, thereof, shall be used to 
underwrite expenses for administration. 
The Board shall appoint a reputable government-accredited investment 
institution as fund manager, subject to guidelines promulgated by the Board. 


9 
 
Sec. 25. Incentives Schemes. — The Authority shall develop and administer 
appropriate incentives schemes to encourage the LGUs and private industries 
and institutions to participate in the development of the National Parks 
System. 
 
Sec. 26. Parks and Green Spaces Awards. — To promote parks 
development in the country and with the view of participating in international 
park development competitions, the Authority, with the active participation of 
private industries, shall organize and conduct annual Parks and Green 
Spaces Awards. The Authority, through the Secretariat, shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and guidelines for the effective and efficient conduct of 
Annual National Parks and Green Spaces Competition among the LGUs and 
for the country’s participation in international park development 
competitions. 
 
Sec. 27. Exemption from Taxes, Duties, Fees and Charges. – The 
Authority shall be exempt from the payment of taxes, fees and charges 
imposed by the National Government and its political subdivisions, agencies 
and instrumentalities regardless of the nature of its activity. 
All donations in any form shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the 
same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income in the 
computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions 
of Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue 
Code of 1997, as amended. 
Furthermore, importation of supplies and materials for the use of the 
Authority shall be exempt from customs duties. 
 
Sec. 28. Commercial Operations of and inside of NALPA Parks. – The 
Authority shall be authorized to undertake commercial operations, the 
proceeds of which shall be credited to the NALPA Fund: 
a) The rental of dedicated areas for external events, functions and similar 
activities; 
b) The lease of dedicated areas for the erection and operation of 
commercial establishments inside NALPA Parks, which NALPA shall be 
allowed to award, through public bidding, and giving preference to 
nonprofit organizations of a nature related to or supportive of its 
mandate, for a term of up to five (5) years per contract; 
c) The production and/or licensing of official merchandise; 
d) The award of concession contracts when the Authority shall utilize 
concession contracts to authorize a person, corporation, or other entity 
to provide accommodations, facilities, and services to visitors or users 
of NALPA Parks. 
 
Sec. 29. Contracted Services. – Then Authority is authorized to contract out 
services for Park Management and Safety and Security Services. 


10 
 
Chapter 5 – Miscellaneous Provisions 
Sec. 30. NALPA Budget. – The amount necessary to finance the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the existing 
appropriations of the NPDC and the NPF, and shall be supported by funds 
coming from the Office of the President. Thereafter, such funds as may be 
necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in 
the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Sec. 31. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within 180 days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Board the 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act upon prior consultation with 
all concerned groups and entities. 
 
Sec. 32. Transitory Provisions. – 
a) Within two (2) months after the approval of this Act, the President shall, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Tourism appoint the private sector 
representatives of the Board. 
b) Within three (3) months after the appointment of the private sector 
representatives, the President shall, upon the recommendation of the 
Board, appoint the Administrator. 
c) Within four (4) months after the appointment of the Administrator, the 
Board shall convene to determine the organizational structure and 
staffing pattern of the Authority. 
d) Within one (1) year after the organization of the Authority, the Board 
shall commission an expert group on funding schemes for the NALPA 
Fund, as provided in Section 24, the results of which shall be used as 
the basis for appropriate action by the Board. 
e) Upon the effectivity of this Act, and prior to the appointment of the 
Board and the Administrator, the heads and personnel of both NPDC 
and the NPF shall continue to exercise their functions and duties, in 
holdover capacity, and shall ensure the smooth transition to the Board 
and the Administrator. 
f) All personnel of the NPDC and NPF are hereby deemed retired from 
service. Retirement and separation benefits shall be paid under existing 
rules and regulations. 
g) The Authority may on its discretion retain any personnel of NPDC and 
NPF it deems necessary to carry out its purpose and function. 
h) The ownership and title to the properties now actually occupied by the 
NPF and NPDC are hereby transferred in fee simple to the Authority, 
subject to the following conditions: 
1) The titles to the land conveyed by this Act shall not be transferred 
by the Authority to another person or entity without previous 
authorization by the President of the Philippines. 
2) The Authority is hereby authorized to mortgage any properties 
referred to above for the purpose of carrying out its objectives and 


11 
purposes only; and 
3) In case the Authority is dissolved or ceases, for any reason, to 
undertake its objectives, or ceases to need any of the lands for any 
reason, said land shall ipso facto revert to the National Government 
without compensation. 
 
Sec. 33. Automatic Review. — Every five (5) years, after the effectivity of this 
Act, an independent review panel composed of three (3) persons appointed by 
the President shall review the performance of the Authority and shall make 
recommendations, based on its findings to the President and to both Houses 
of Congress. 
 
Sec. 34. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules or 
regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 35. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 36. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved.