EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
1711
gscnaij
o( t!jv Swfrrtnrp
20 JUL 22 P2 08
RECt-r, : 
^ -
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE TUGBO WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE LOCATED IN THE 
CITY OF MASBATE AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF MOBO IN THE PROVINCE 
OF MASBATE AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586, AS 
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM ACT OF 
2018, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution enunciates 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." In consonance with the 
said State policy, the Constitution likewise provided that Congress shall determine 
the national parks, which shall be conserved and may not be increased nor 
diminished, except by law.1
In line with the mentioned constitutional provisions, the National Integrated 
Protected Areas System (NIPAS) was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 
7586, as amended by RA No. 11038, otherwise known as the 'Expanded NIPAS Act
1 Article XII, Sec. 3,1987 Philippine Constitution


of 2018'. 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.2 The NIPAS Act declared it the 
policy of the State "to 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 
ciassification of nationai park as provided for in the Constitution", given that diverse 
human activities have exacting impact on components of the naturai environment.
Presently, there are already 107 protected areas in the Philippines that have 
been so declared through legislation. And yet, 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 that have to be given 'protected area' status, by legislative 
action, in order to ensure its conservation. One of these sites is the Tugbo 
Watershed Forest Reserve found in the City of Masbate and the Municipaiity of Mobo 
in the Province of Masbate.
The Tugbo Watershed Forest Reserve serves as the primary water source of 
the City of Masbate and the Municipality of Mobo. The watershed is characterized 
by a moderate to intensive forest cover in a mountainous topography. It is home to 
various endemic flora and fauna, as well as vulnerable species of wild birds unique in 
the area. Some of the species of wild birds sighted in the area are as follows: 
Philippine Hawk Owi; Philippine Bulbul; White-browed Shama; Blue headed fantail; 
White-vented Whistler; and Orange-bellied Flowerpecker.3
The challenges confronting conservation efforts on the watershed include 
deforestation, illegal logging, hunting of wildiife and other destructive human 
activities, which may include quarrying.
2 Section 2, RA No. 7586, as amended by RA11038
3https://www.academia.edu/9286065/CONSERVATION_STATUS_OF_FOREST_BIRDS_IN_ISOLATED_
FOREST_PATCHES_IN_MASBATE_PHILIPPINES.


While Presidential Proclamation No. 369, series of 1994 has established the 
Tugbo Watershed Forest Reserve as a protected area for the purpose of improving 
its water yield and to provide restraining mechanism for inappropriate forest 
exploitation and disruptive land use, the enactment of a legislation bestowing 
stronger protection against further threats of human activities is still needed.
The attached bill seeks to declare the Tugbo Watershed Forest Reserve as a 
protected area, to be known as the Tugbo Natural Biotioc Area, under the provisions 
of the NIPAS Act, as amended.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee of Environment, Natural 
Resources and Climate Change, I am pleased to file this bill, which is the Senate 
counterpart measure of House Bill No. 462 authored by Hon. Elisa "Olga" T. Kho, the 
Representative of the 2nd District of Masbate.
I recommend the approval of this measure.
CYNlfHIA A. VILLA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1711
I
20 JUL 22 P2 38
RECt: 
.....
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
DECLARING THE TUGBO WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE LOCATED IN THE 
CITY OF MASBATE AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF MOBO IN THE PROVINCE 
OF MASBATE AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586, AS 
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11038, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
EXPANDED NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM ACT OF 
2018, 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. Short Title. - This Act shali be known as the "Tugbo Natural Biotic
2 
Area Act of 2020''
3
4
5
6
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Tugbo Natural Biotic Area is hereby 
declared to be included in the list of established protected areas under Section 
5(a.l) of Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, categorized 
under ENIPAS as natural biotic area, defined under Section 4(w) of the same law, as 
"an area set aside to allow the way of life of societies living in harmony with the 
environment to adapt to modern technology at their pace."


1 
Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. - The boundaries of the Tugbo Natural Biotic
2 
Area, which falls under the category of natural biotic area located in the City of
3 
Masbate and the Municipality of Mobo in the Province of Masbate, are as follows:
4 
Beginning at a point marked "1, S12 05,00"W, 3,360.92 meters from BLLM
5 
No. 1 of Sitio Matungao, Barangay Tugbo, Masbate City,
6
thence
S 28° 05' 00" E
42.25
meters to point 2;
7
thence
S 48° 38' 00" E
98.20
meters to point 3;
8
thence
S 410 32' 00" E
169.35
meters to point 4;
9
thence
S 580 59' 00" E
95.86
meters to point 5;
10
thence
S 460 08' 00" E
52.88
meters to point 6;
11
thence
S 250 31' 00" E
117.29
meters to point 7;
12
thence
S 060 32' 00" W
260.41
meters to point 8;
13
thence
S 240 49' 00" W
319.43
meters to point 9;
14
thence
S 370 24' 00" W
257.08
meters to point 10;
15
thence
S 300 28' 00" W
71.13
meters to point 11;
16
thence
S 540 10' 00" E
32.59
meters to point 12;
17
thence
S 650 15' 00" W
146.44
meters to point 13;
18
thence
S 560 49' 00" W
135.21
meters to point 14;
19
thence
N 770 42' 00" W
21.10
meters to point 15;
20
thence
N 490 55' 00" W
171.57
meters to point 16;
21
thence
N 760 28' 00" W
122.31
meters to point 17;
22
thence
N 540 57' 00" W
73.81
meters to point 18;
23
thence
N 640 24' 00" W
113.23
meters to point 19;
24
thence
S 560 13' 00" W
262.39
meters to point 20;
25
thence
S 040 15' 00" W
45.60
meters to point 21;
26
thence
N 450 28' 00" W
84.50
meters to point 22;
27
thence
N 150 21' 00" w
193.52
meters to point 23;
28
thence
N 420 11' 00" w
275.28
meters to point 24;
29
thence
N 310 43' 00" w
253.20
meters to point 25;
30
thence
N 190 50' 00" w
136.88
meters to point 26;
31
thence
NO70 10'00" E
115.08
meters to point 27;


1
thence
N 050 45' 00" E
145.77
meters to point 28;
2
thence
N 03° 30' 00" W
209.06
meters to point 29;
3
thence
N 410 43' 00" W
299.58
meters to point 30;
4
thence
N 640 31' 00" E
224.57
meters to point 31;
5
thence
S 050 43'00" E
381.30
meters to point 32;
6
thence
S 770 46' 00" E
115.19
meters to point 33;
7
thence
N 670 03' 00" E
188.63
meters to point 34;
8
thence
N 380 03' 00" E
73.54
meters to point 35;
9
thence
N 420 04' 00" E
89.28
meters to point 36;
10
thence
S 690 43' 00" W
146.35
meters to point 37;
11
thence
S 520 20' 00" W
151.08
meters to point 38;
12
thence
S 160 18' 00" W
111.61
meters to point 39;
13
thence
S 410 43' 00" E
95.27
meters to point 40;
14
thence
N 680 49' 00" E
74.23
meters to point 41;
15
thence
S 550 12' 00" E
101.79
meters to point 42;
16
thence
S 170 12' 00" E
138.71
meters to point 43;
17
thence
S 120 48' 00" E
88.47
meters to point 44;
18
thence
S 410 47' 00" E
78.48
meters to point 45;
19
thence
N 700 32' 00" E
89.53
meters to point 46;
20
thence
S 710 14' 00" E
152.64
meters to point 47;
21
thence
S 460 01' 00" E
133.11
meters to point 1;
22 
the point of beginning containing an area of two hundred forty-six and 95/100
23 
(246.95) hectares, more or iess, subject to ground survey and verification to be
24 
conducted by the Department of Environment and Naturai Resources, through the
25 
Nationai Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), within ninety (90)
26 
days after the effectivity of this Act..
27 
The Department of Environment and Naturai Resources (DENR) shaii
28 
appropriately mark on the ground the technical descriptions provided In this Act with
29 
clearly visible markers and shall prepare appropriate maps therefor. Any modification
30 
of the coverage of this Act due to such factors as changing ecological situations, new
31 
scientific or archeological findings, or discovery of traditional boundaries not
3


1 
previously taken into account shall be made through an act of Congress, after
2 
consultation with the affected public and concerned government agencies.
3 
Sec. 4. Buffer Zone. - The DENR Secretary, upon the recommendation of the
4 
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), may designate areas surrounding the
5 
Tugbo Natural Biotic Area as buffer zones for the purpose of providing extra layer
6 
of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases where the
7 
designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be
8 
required to design their development with due consideration to the protected area
9 
management plan.
10 
Sec. 5. Management and Institutional Mechanisms. - The Tugbo Natural
11 
Biotic Area as a protected area shall be managed in accordance with Republic Act
12 
No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, under the supervision of the
13 
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). A Protected Area Management Office
14 
(PAMO) shall be established and headed by the Protected Area Superintendent
15 
(PASu) in conformity with Section 11 of the same law, as amended.
16 
Sec. 6. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations. - The DENR, in consultation
17 
with the relevant government agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate
18 
the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
19 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include
20 
in the Department's Program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
21 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
22 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
23 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
24 
continue to be in full force and effect.
25 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
26 
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are
27 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
2 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general
3 
circulation.
Approved,