SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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(gllirt of
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:V, 17
s. b. nS„ENA1 ^ 1 4
Hi' < 1.IV i.l) IIY:
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT DECLARING THE NORTHWEST PANAY PENINSULA LOCATED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITIES OF NABAS, MALAY AND BURUANGA, PROVINCE OF AKLAN 
AND IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF LIBERTAD AND PANDAN, PROVINCE OF 
ANTIQUE AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER THE CATEGORY OF NATURAL PARK, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides;
“All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other 
mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, 
flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. With the 
exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be 
alienated. The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources 
shall be under the full control and supervision of the State. The State may 
directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint 
venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or 
corporations or associations at least 60 per centum of whose capital is owned 
by such citizens. Such agreements may be for a period not exceeding twenty- 
five years, renewable for not more than twenty-five years, and under such 
terms and conditions as may provided by law. In cases of water rights for 
irrigation, water supply, fisheries, or industrial uses other than the development 
of waterpower, beneficial use may be the measure and limit of the grant.” 
{Emphasis supplied.)
Pursuant to the above-quoted Constitutional provision, the proposed bill seeks to ensure the 
conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation of the biological resources, both 
flora and fauna, that are native and distinct to Panay Island and the Panay-Negros 
biographical region, as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance.


The benefits of this proposed bill is not limited to the protection of said area and its 
environment. Consistent with “intergenerational responsibility” and “intergenerational 
justice” , this bill also provides sustainable livelihood opportunities to its tenured migrants.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.
MARIA
Senator
RDES NANCY S. BINAY
1 Oposa vs. Factoran (G.R. No, 101083, 30 July 1993)


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
SENAT ^  1
S. B.No. 
J . ^ 1 4
(Stfirt of 
■ I-. I’t ii (j
1'. 
j;i 19 ? ’ a
Ri ( i;iv I 1) nv
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT DECLARING THE NORTHWEST PANAY PENINSULA LOCATED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITIES OF NABAS, MALAY AND BURUANGA, PROVINCE OF AKLAN 
AND IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF LIBERTAD AND PANDAN, PROVINCE OF 
ANTIQUE AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER THE CATEGORY OF NATURAL PARK, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
ARTICLE I
POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park 
(NPPNP) Act”.
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, 
both flora and fauna, that are native and distinct to Panay Island and the Panay-Negros 
biographical region, as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance, it is hereby declared 
the policy of the State to ensure the conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation 
of these areas.
The conservation and protection of biological and physical diversities to sustain human, plant 
and animal life shall be pursued through sustainable and participatory management among 
the national government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR) and the provincial governments of Aklan and Antique, the local government units 
(LGUs) of the municipalities of Nabas, Malay and Buruanga in the Province of Aklan and the 
municipalities of Libertad and Pandan in the Province of Antique, the non-govemmental 
organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), local stakeholders and the indigenous 
cultural communities (ICCs), particularly the Aetas, locally called “Ati”.
SECTION 3. Declaration as Protected Area. Pursuant to and in accordance with Republic 
Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS Act), a 
tract of land of the public domain situated within the Northwest Panay Peninsula is hereby 
declared a protected area under the category of a natural park.


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SECTION 4. Scope and Coverage. The NPPNP shall cover a certain parcel of land located 
in the municipalities of Nabas, Malay and Buruanga, Province of Aklan and in the 
municipalities of Libertad and Pandan, Province of Antique. Its boundaries are more 
particularly described as follows:
Beginning at a point marked “1” of the map, which is N. 82° 37’ E., three thousand three 
hundred twenty-six and four tenth (3,326.4) meters; from
BLLM No. 7, PSC-38 of Libertad, Antique;
ThenceS. 74° 34’ W., 1,389.91 meters to comer 2;
ThenceN. 74° 23’ W., 1,671.82 meters to comer 3;
ThenceS. 64° 12’ W., 2,112.89 meters to comer 4;
ThenceN. 54° 59’ W., 1,306.72 meters to comer 5;
ThenceN. 47° 07’ W., 1,572.37 meters to comer 6;
ThenceN. 36° 09’ W., 1,331.49 meters to comer 7;
ThenceN. 43° 16’ E., 1,743.57 meters to comer 8;
ThenceS. 40° 18’ E., 1,049.46 meters to comer 9;
ThenceN. 11° 45’ W.,766.12 meters to comer 10;
ThenceN. 07° 16’ E., 1,735.66 meters to comer 11;
ThenceN. 30° 53’ W.,699.43 meters to comer 12;
ThenceN. 31° 50’ E., 1,188.35 meters to comer 13;
ThenceN. 87° 15’ E., 2,298.33 meters to comer 14;
ThenceN. 15° 19’ E., 1,171.69 meters to comer 15 
ThenceS. 84° 01’ E., 2,398.04 meters to comer 16;
ThenceN. 87° 54’ E., 805.44 meters to comer 17;
ThenceS. 48°23’ E., 2,356.49 meters to comer 18;
ThenceS. 50° 18’ E., 1,269.20 meters to comer 19;
ThenceS. 58° 49’ E., 1,424.64 meters to comer 20;
ThenceS. 78° 05’ E., 2,152.13 meters to comer 21;
ThenceS. 51° 59’ E., 1,238.41 meters to comer 22;
ThenceS. 30° 12’ E., 2,266.24 meters to comer 23;
ThenceS. 05° 39’ E., 1,685.24 meters to comer 24;
ThenceS. 22° 26’ W., 1,764.83 meters to comer 25;
ThenceS. 53° 35’ W., 1,081.73 meters to comer 26;
ThenceN. 86° 42’ W., 533.23 meters to comer 27;
ThenceS. 10° 33’ W., 1,117.38 meters to comer 28;


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ThenceS. 79° 32’ W., 962.01 meters to comer 29;
ThenceN. 57° 20’ W., 1,807.07 meters to comer 30;
ThenceN. 64° 49’ W., 1,535.10 meters to comer 31;
ThenceN. 74° 48’ W.,2,453.48 meters to comer 1,
the point of beginning, containing an approximate area of twelve thousand nine and twenty- 
nine hundredth (12,009.29) hectares, more or less, subject to actual ground survey.
Any modification of the coverage of this Act due to such factors as changing ecological 
situations or new scientific or archaeological findings not previously taken into account shall 
be made through an act of Congress, after consultation with the affected public and 
concerned government agencies.
SECTION 5. Land Classification. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and 
scope of this Act shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for in the 
Philippine Constitution.
SECTION 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. Buffer Zones shall be established along and 
adjacent to the peripheral boundaries to serve as protective layer to the area and its resources. 
The Buffer Zones shall also serve as a social fence against the entry of intruders that bring 
destruction or conduct activities detrimental to the park. Prescriptions for the management of 
buffer zones shall be included as components of the protected area management plan. The 
DENR shall exercise the same authority over buffer zones in the same manner as protected 
areas: Provided, however, that there shall be consultation with the affected communities.
The buffer zones shall be established by the DENR, in consultation with the affected 
communities, after conducting a thorough study on their implications to the development of 
the park and the surrounding communities.
SECTION 7. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be 
defined as follows:
a. ) Bioprospecting - shall refer to any research activity or collection and utilization of
biological and genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived 
therefrom solely for commercial purposes;
b. ) Buffer Zones - shall refer to areas that are outside the boundaries of and are
immediately adjacent to designated protected areas, pursuant to Section 3 of this Act, 
that need special development control in order to avoid or minimize encroachment 
and harm to the protected area;
c. ) By-products or Derivatives - shall refer to any part taken or substance extracted from
wildlife, in raw or processed form, which include stuffed animals and herbarium 
specimens;
d. ) Cave - shall refer to any naturally occurring void, cavity, recess or system of
interconnected passages beneath the surface of the earth or within a cliff or ledge and 
which is large enough to permit an individual to enter, whether or not the entrance.


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located either on private or public land, is naturally formed or man-made. It shall 
include any natural pit, sinkhole or other feature which is an extension of the entrance. 
The term also includes cave resources but not any mine tunnel, aqueduct or other 
man-made excavation;
e.) Collection or Collecting - shall refer to the act of gathering or harvesting wildlife, its 
By-products or Derivatives;
f ) Conservation - shall refer to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable utilization 
of wildlife and/or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the habitat;
g. ) DENR - shall refer to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, a
national government agency created under Executive Order No. 192 with jurisdiction 
over forestlands and protected areas;
h. ) General Management Planning Strategy (GMPS) - shall refer to a document that
serves as a guide in the formulation of site-specific development plans, including 
plans for the Buffer Zone;
i. ) Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC) - shall refer to a group of people sharing
common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits 
and who have, since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized a territory;
j. ) Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF) - shall refer to a special account in the
National Treasury established for the purpose of promoting the sustained financing 
for the operations of the NIPAS. The IPAF may receive revenues generated within the 
protected area or through donor support and such other funds provided by law;
k. ) Local Government Unit (LGU) - shall refer to any local government unit, a political
body created under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the “Local 
Government Code of 1991”, a body politic and corporate endowed with powers to be 
exercised by it in conformity with law, and exercising powers as a political 
subdivision of the national government and as a corporate entity representing the 
inhabitants of the territory;
l. ) National Park - shall refer to a tract of land of the public domain classified as such
pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constitution;
m. ) Natural Park - shall refer to a relatively large area not materially altered by human
activity where extractive resource uses are regulated and maintained to protect 
outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for 
scientific, educational and recreational use;
n. ) National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act - shall refer to Republic Act
No. 7586, entitled “An Act Providing for the Establishment and Management of 
National Integrated Protected Areas System, Defining its Scope and Coverage, and 
for Other Purposes”, which mandates the classification and administration of all 
designated protected areas in order to maintain ecological processes and life support 
systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources found 
within the protected areas and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest 
extent possible;


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o. ) NGO - shall refer to any non-governmental organization or any civic, developmental,
environmental or philanthropic non-stock, non-profit organization;
p. ) Northwest Panay Biodiversity Management Council (NPBMC) - shall refer to a
multi-sectoral body organized in 1999 and was instrumental in the proclamation of the 
NPPNP as a protected area;
q. ) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) - shall refer to a governing body created
for each protected area pursuant to the NIPAS Act, and tasked to oversee all activities 
inside the protected area and its Buffer Zone;
r. ) Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) - shall refer to the chief operating officer of
the DENR who is directly responsible to the PAMB and the concerned DENR 
Regional Executive Director;
s. ) Peninsula - shall refer to a strip of land projecting into water; a narrow piece of land
that juts out from the mainland into a sea or lake;
t. ) People’s Organization (PO) - shall refer to any locally based people’s organization or
to any group of people formed to advance the interests of the sector they represent;
u. ) Protected Area - shall refer to any identified portion of land and water set aside by
reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance 
biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation;
V.) Secretary - shall refer to the Secretary of the DENR; and
w.) Tenured Migrant - shall refer to any person who has actually and continuously 
occupied an area for five (5) years prior to its designation as part of a protected area 
and is usually dependent on that area for subsistence.
ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT, MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ZONING
SECTION 8. 
Management of the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park. The 
management and administration of the NPPNP shall be vested in the PAMB: Provided, That 
the processes and procedures in the management of zones to be established in the area shall 
be consultative and participatory.
SECTION 9. Local Government Units. As members of the PAMB, the LGUs are mandated 
to participate in the affairs and support the programs and projects of the Protected Area.
Specific co-management strategies, through the signing of memoranda of agreement, may be 
adopted, at the discretion of the PAMB, to strengthen and empower its partner POs, NGOs, 
ICCs and LGUs in all management schemes and undertakings of the NPPNP.


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There shall be an integration of objectives of the NPPNP with the development plans of the 
two (2) provinces of Aklan and Antique. The respective LGUs shall ensure that local 
ordinances on environmental protection and conservation and the allocation of funds for 
environmental programs are consistent with this Act and the management plan.
SECTION 10. The Northwest Panay Biodiversity Management Council (NPBMC). The 
NPBMC shall continue to serve as the coordinating body among member LGUs to strengthen 
policy direction and heighten the commitment of the communities within and bordering the 
NPPNP.
The NPBMC shall work closely with the PAMB to reduce the pressure on the NPPNP from 
the surrounding communities through development programs and other activities geared 
towards the protection, conservation and sustainable use of the latter’s resources. The 
NPBMC may also provide assistance to the PAMB.
SECTION 11. The General Management Planning Strategy (GMPS). The GMPS for the 
NPPNP shall be prepared to provide a long-term basic management framework, govern all 
activities and serve as guide in the preparation of annual operations and budgetary 
requirements.
The GMPS shall identify the allowable uses for each zone. The preparation of GMPS shall be 
undertaken by the PAMB under the supervision of the DENR, in consultation with the 
different stakeholders. In addition to the contributions from various technical experts on 
biodiversity management, the PAMB shall solicit the assistance of NGOs and academic 
institutions in the preparation of the GMPS, particularly in the areas of community-based 
resource management and ICC concerns. The plan must be consistent with the objectives of 
the NPPNP.
The GMPS shall contain information on the following:
a. ) The period of applicability which shall be twenty-five (25) years subject to review
and modifications, whenever the PAMB deems it necessary;
b. ) Key management issues;
c. ) Goals and objectives of management in support of Section 2 of this Act;
d. ) Site management strategies;
e. ) Zoning, in accordance with Section 11 of this Act;
f ) Management programs, to include the enforcement of laws, habitat and wildlife 
management, ecotourism, sustainable-use management, infrastructure development 
and maintenance, fire prevention and pest control;
g. ) Mechanisms for the protection of the identified core zone and tenured migrants;
h. ) Sustainable and non-destructive livelihood activities;
i. ) Regulations on the preservation and conservation of resources such as permits,
resource-use restrictions and the like; and
j. ) Other information as may be deemed necessary.
The GMPS shall be reviewed and adopted by the PAMB and certified by the Secretary that it 
conforms to all laws, rules and regulations issued by the DENR. The revision or modification 
of the GMPS shall be undertaken after consultation with the approval by the PAMB.


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The GMPS shall be prepared in English, but shall be translated in a dialect commonly 
understood among the majority of the residents. It shall be made available for public perusal 
at the Office of the PASu.
SECTION 12. Management Zones. Management zones shall be established within the 
NPPNP, giving primary consideration to its protection and conservation. Zoning shall take 
into account the tenurial and livelihood concerns of communities to ensure the efficient 
protection of habitats, fragile ecosystem and unique areas, without compromising the general 
welfare of the local inhabitants.
The establishment and management of zones shall involve the communities concerned 
through dialogues, consultations and land resource-use mapping with the aid of geographic 
information system and latest technologies. Such management zones shall be delineated and 
established on the ground with the participation of communities, LGUs and other 
stakeholders.
All zones that shall be established shall be indicated on maps for control point and 
management purposes.
ARTICLE III
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS, ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT
SECTION 13. Institutional Mechanisms, Roles and Functions of Management.
a.) The PAMB shall be the highest policy-making body of the NPPNP. It shall be composed 
of the following:
1. ) The DENR Regional Executive Director (RED) for Region VI, as chairperson and
adviser on matters related to the technical aspects of protected area management;
2. ) The governors of the provinces of Aklan and Antique or their duly authorized
representatives, preferably the respective provincial planning and development 
officers (PPDO) or environment and natural resources officers;
3. ) The mayors of the municipalities of Nabas, Malay and Buruanga, Province of Aklan
and the municipalities of Libertad and Pandan, Province of Antique, or their duly 
authorized representatives;
4. ) All punong barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the NPPNP, or their duly
authorized representatives;
5. ) Three (3) representatives from the NGOs based in the provinces of Aklan and Antique
and at least seven (7) POs duly accredited by the DENR and LGUs with tangible 
projects within the NPPNP at the time of their membership in the PAMB. In the 
absence of accredited NGOs, any environmental NGO may be appointed by the 
Secretary to nominate its representative as PAMB member;
6. ) A representative from the ICCs residing inside the NPPNP or within its buffer zones;
and
7. ) A representative each from other national government agencies involved in Protected
Area management.


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b. ) There shall be an Executive Committee (ExeCom) within the PAMB to whom may be
delegated some of its powers and functions, to be composed of the Regional Technical 
Director for Protected Areas, Wildlife Zones and Coastal Management Service as 
chairperson, and at least two (2) representatives each from the LGUs, the NGOs and the 
ICCs. The PAMB shall determine the scope and extent of the authority to be delegated to 
the ExeCom.
c. ) Except for government officials who shall serve as ex officio, each PAMB member shall
serve for a term of five (5) years without compensation: Provided, that such government 
official remains connected with the office or agency being represented. The term of office 
of the NGO and the PO representatives in the PAMB shall be coterminous with the 
duration and existence of the organizations’ projects in the protected area. Whenever a 
seat allotted for the NGOs becomes vacant, a new member shall be chosen in the same 
manner as the original selection process: Provided further, that the substitute shall only 
serve for the remaining term of the predecessor. In the case of elective government 
officials, their membership in the PAMB shall be coterminous with their respective terms 
of office.
The PAMB Fm Banc shall hold a regular meeting at least twice a year and the ExeCom shall 
hold regular meetings at least once every four (4) months. For both bodies, a quorum shall 
consist of a simple majority of the members. The chairperson may call for a special meeting 
as deemed necessary.
The members of the PAMB shall be entitled to reimbursement of actual traveling and 
subsistence expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the PAMB or its committees, 
subject to existing accounting and budgeting rules and regulations. These expenses shall be 
included in the annual budgetary allocation for the NPPNP.
SECTION 14. Functions of the PAMB. The PAMB shall decide by a majority vote and shall 
have the following powers and functions:
a. ) Formulate rules and regulations pertaining to activities that are prejudicial to the
NPPNP;
b. ) Issue necessary permits for all activities in accordance with the management plan and
pertinent laws and regulations on forest resources and environmental protection;
c. ) Decide on matters relating to planning, resource protection and general administration
in accordance with the GMPS;
d. ) Approve proposals, work plans, action plans and guidelines for management in
accordance with the approved management plan;
e. ) Promulgate rules and regulations to promote development programs and projects on
biodiversity conservation and sustainable development consistent with the 
management manual;
f) Ensure the implementation of programs, as prescribed in the management plan, in 
order to provide employment to the people dwelling in and around the NPPNP;
g. ) Control and regulate the construction, operation and maintenance of roads, trails,
waterworks, sewerage, fire protection and sanitation systems and other public utilities;
h. ) Monitor and evaluate the performance of personnel, NGOs and the communities in
contributing to biodiversity 
conservation and sociocultural and economic 
development, and report its assessment to the NIPAS Policy and Program Steering 
Committee and the IPAF governing board;


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i. ) Deputize, through the PASu, interested individuals for the enforcement of laws, rules
and regulations and prescribe the necessary qualification standards for individuals or 
groups applying for deputation;
j. ) Accept donations, approve proposals for funding and budget allocation, and exercise
accountability over all funds that may accrue to the NPPNP; and
k. ) Create committees that may be needed for the effective implementation of programs
and projects.
The DENR, through the RED for Region VI, shall ensure that the PAMB exercises authority 
within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between issuances of the 
DENR pursuant to the NIPAS Act and the rules and regulations or resolutions of the PAMB, 
the Secretary shall decide whether to apply the rule or withdraw its application in the NPPNP.
SECTION 15. The PASu Office. There is hereby established a PASu office in charge of the 
management, protection and administration of the NPPNP. The PASu shall be supported by 
the existing personnel of the DENR. The PASu shall be the chief operating officer of the 
NPPNP and shall be accountable to the RED of the DENR VI and the PAMB. The PASu 
shall have the following powers and functions:
a. ) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB the approval of the annual work and financial
plans;
b. ) Develop a management information system to ensure that relevant and updated
information are available for planning, monitoring and decision-making;
c. ) Collect and/or receive pertinent fees, donations and other income for the protected
area;
d. ) Initiate the preparation of the GMPS in coordination with other government offices
and sectors;
e. ) Serve as head of the secretariat for the PAMB;
f) Establish a productive partnership with the local community and stakeholders, 
including groups who are interested in attaining the goals and objectives of the 
NPPNP;
g. ) Formulate and implement park information, education, communication and visitor
programs;
h. ) Enforce laws, rules and regulations pursuant to existing environmental laws and
DENR orders to protect and preserve the NPPNP from trespass, damage, injury and 
illegal occupancy;
i. ) Certify whether a proposed activity or project is allowable or not within the
management zones;
j. ) Issue cutting permit for planted trees for a volume of up to five (5) cubic meters per
applicant per year for traditional and subsistence livelihood of ICCs/indigenous 
peoples (IPs) and tenured migrants only: Provided, that Protected Area Community- 
Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA) holders with affirmed 
community resource management plans shall no longer be issued cutting permits: 
Provided further, that the total volume of extraction does not exceed the limit set by 
the PAMB and the location of extraction is within the appropriate site within the 
multiple-use zone;
k. ) Issue certificates of origin and transport permits for natural resources and other
products collected or gathered from the NPPNP in accordance with the resource-use 
instruments or agreements or gratuitous permits issued by the PAMB and/or the 
DENR;


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l. ) Monitor all activities within the NPPNP and its buffer zones; and
m. ) Perform such other functions as the PAMB or the RED may assign.
ARTICLE IV
ANCESTRAL LANDS/DOMAINS AND TENURED MIGRANTS
SECTION 16. Ancestral Lands and Domains. The rights of the ICCs to their ancestral lands 
and domains shall be recognized subject to existing and prior rights.
Traditional property regimes exercised by the ICCs in accordance with their customary laws 
shall govern the relationship of all individuals within their communities with respect to all 
lands and other resources found within their ancestral lands and domains.
The provisiorls of this Act shall be construed liberally in favor of the ICCs in accordance with 
the conservation objectives of the NPPNP that would not impair, diminish or derogate any 
prior or existing right currently enjoyed by the ICCs under existing laws.
SECTION 17. Tenured Migrants. Tenured migrants are households that have actually and 
continuously occupied the NPPNP before April 25, 1997 and are solely dependent on the area 
for their livelihood. A tenured migrant shall be issued a tenurial instrument on the areas they 
have been occupying or cultivating, not to exceed a maximum of five (5) hectares per 
household. In consideration of current practices in areas occupied by tenured migrants, 
especially in strict protection zones where no occupation or other activities are allowed, a 
provision for their transfer to sustainable-use zones shall be accomplished through just and 
humane means.
To effectively provide a social fence to the NPPNP, a tenurial instrument to be issued 
pursuant to this Act must be limited solely to the sustainable-use zones in accordance with 
GMPS. The tenurial instruments or the rights and interests arising out of such instruments 
shall not be transferred, sold, leased or used as collateral for a loan, otherwise it shall be void. 
The said rights can be transferred only to direct descendants.
A tenurial instrument shall cover a period of twenty-five (25) years, renewable for another 
twenty-five (25) years based on the performance evaluation and compliance with the terms 
and conditions stipulated in the said instrument.
Any violation of the terms and conditions of the tenurial instrument or any provision of this 
Act or abandonment by a tenured migrant shall constitute a sufficient ground for the 
cancellation of the tenurial instrument.
Upon cancellation of a tenured migrant instrument for cause or by voluntary surrender of 
rights, the PAMB shall take immediate steps or strategies to develop, rehabilitate and 
maintain the area for protection, conservation and sustainable use.
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ARTICLE V
ILLEGAL ACTS
SECTION 18. Prohibited Acts. The following shall be the prohibitions and penalties within 
the NPPNP;
a. ) A fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (PhP5,000.00) but not more than Five
Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years, or both, at the discretion of 
the court shall be imposed upon any person who;
1. ) Hunts, collects, destroys, traps, disturbs or possesses anywhere within the NPPNP
any wild plant or animal or product derived therefrom without prior PAMB 
permit;
2. ) Possesses, without a permit from the PAMB, any wild plant or animal or product
derived from such wild plant or animal within the NPPNP or in any of its 
management zones where the species is not endemic;
3. ) Cuts, gathers, collects or removes timber or other forest products, as well as
undertakes any activity not compatible with the use of the respective zones within 
the NPPNP without prior PAMB permit: Provided, that any permit issued shall be 
valid for only one (1) month from the date of issue either to tenured migrants 
within sustainable, monitored and controlled quotas or for scientific purposes in 
accordance with existing guidelines and outside the strict protection zones;
4. ) Establishes or introduces exotic species that have allelopathic or detrimental effect
to endemic species without prior PAMB permit; or
5. ) Engages in kaingin or slash-and-bum farming or any activity that causes forest
fire.
b. ) A fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (PhP5,000.00) but not more than Two
Hundred Fifty thousand pesos (PhP250,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six 
(6) months but not more than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court, and 
the restoration and rehabilitation of the damage resulting from violations shall be 
imposed upon any person who:
1. ) Violates the management plan or any resolution issued by the PAMB;
2. ) Vandalizes, mutilates, transports, destroys, excavates or in any manner
intentionally damages any natural formation or object of natural beauty inside the 
protected area, or the burial or religious sites including artifacts and other objects 
belonging to the ICCs/lPs;
3. ) Dumps, bums or otherwise disposes of any substance deleterious to the
ecosystem, plants and animals or human inhabitants or committing the same in the 
buffer and multiple-use areas without appropriate authority or permit;
4. ) Uses or possesses a motorized equipment anywhere within the strict protection
zone without a prior permit from the PAMB;
5. ) Uses or possesses chainsaws and band saws without prior PAMB permit:
Provided, that permits may only be issued for use within the multiple-use zones;
6. ) Engages in grazing or raising of poultry and other livestock for commercial
purpose: Provided, that existing grazing or poultry and other livestock farms shall 
be phased out within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act;
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7. ) Causes damage or leaves roads and trails in damaged condition;
8. ) Occupies any tract of land without a prior PAMB permit. Any clearing,
construction of residence or introduction of improvements shall constitute prima 
facie evidence of occupation or settlement;
9. ) Alters, removes, destroys or defaces boundaries, marks or signs;
10. ) 
Constructs and maintains a building, edifice or any kind of structure or 
conducts any business enterprise without a prior PAMB permit;
11. ) 
Enters the NPPNP without a prior PAMB permit for purposes of bird 
watching, swimming, trekking, filming, camping, spelunking or caving and other 
similar activities;
12. ) 
Conducts bioprospecting, research work or any study without a prior PAMB 
permit or in violation of existing guidelines; or
13. ) 
Engages in treasure hunting.
c. ) A fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000.00) but not more
than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than 
six (6) months but not more than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court 
shall be imposed upon any public officer or law enforcement officer, who, in 
dereliction of the duties of his office, shall maliciously refrain from instituting proper 
action for the punishment of violators of the law or shall tolerate the commission of 
offenses. A conviction of this offense shall also carry the penalty of perpetual 
disqualification from public office;
d. ) In case the species involved in the violations enumerated under Section 18 a.) hereof,
are protected species, the penalty to be imposed shall not be less than twelve (12) 
years and one (1) day but not more than twenty (20) years and a fine of not less than 
Five 
Hundred 
Thousand 
Pesos 
(PhP500,000.00) 
to 
One 
Million 
Pesos 
(PhP 1,000,000.00) in addition to the accessory penalties provided in the immediately 
succeeding paragraph. Furthermore, any citizen may institute the necessary charge 
against the offender for the commission of the acts enumerated under Section 18a.) 
involving protected species;
e. ) A conviction under this section shall likewise carry the penalty of eviction from the
NPPNP, payment of damages for the rehabilitation and restoration and the forfeiture 
of all equipment, device and weapon/s used in the commission of the offense as well 
as the resources caught in the possession of the accused. In case the offender is not a 
citizen of the Philippines, he/she shall be immediately deported to his/her country of 
origin after service of his/her sentence. If the offender is an association or corporation, 
the president or manager shall be directly responsible for the act of the employees and 
laborers;
f ) The PASu or the duly deputized personnel may arrest even without a warrant any 
person who has committed or is committing in one’s presence any of the offenses 
defined in this section. The PASu may also seize and confiscate in favor of the 
government the tools and equipment used in committing the offenses and the 
resources caught in the possession of the offender and file the necessary charges 
therefore: Provided, that the DENR may impose administrative fines and penalties in 
accordance with law; and
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g.) In case of conviction, the penalty consisting of fines and damages shall directly accrue 
to the IPAF for the protected area.
SECTION 19. Special Prosecutor. Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
the Department of Justice shall designate a special prosecutor to whom all cases of violation 
of laws, rules and regulations in the NPPNP shall be assigned. Such special prosecutor shall 
coordinate with the PAMB and the PASu in the performance of one’s duties and assist in the 
training of wardens and rangers in arrest and criminal procedures.
ARTICLE VI 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
SECTION 20. The Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park Protected Area Fund. There is 
hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park 
Protected Area Fund for purposes of financing projects of the system. All income generated 
from the operation of the system or the management of wild flora and fauna in the NPPNP 
shall accrue to the fund. The said income shall be derived from fees from permitted sale and 
export of flora and fauna and other resources from the NPPNP, proceeds from lease of 
multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the 
NPPNP and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the NPPNP.
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various sources, 
domestic or foreign: Provided, that the fund shall be deposited as a special account in the 
National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, 
maintenance, administration and management of the system and duly approved projects 
endorsed by the PAMB 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. Furthermore, LGUs may charge add-ons to fees imposed by the PAMB: Provided, 
that such add-ons shall be determined based on the contribution of the LGUs in the 
maintenance and protection of the NPPNP.
ARTICLE VII 
EXISTING FACILITIES
SECTION 21. Existing Facilities. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
the PAMB shall be organized and a PASu shall be appointed who, within the same period' 
shall make an inventory of existing facilities within the boundaries of the NPPNP and submit 
the said inventory to the PAMB through a sworn statement containing the following 
information:
a.) List of infrastructure, machineries and facilities and their potential disturbances to 
protected species and their habitat, reproductive cycles, nesting and feeding grounds;
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b. ) Noise levels at all stages of operation;
c. ) Energy requirements and sources of energy;
d. ) Water supply requirements and sources of water;
e. ) Volume of resources extracted from the protected area; and 
f ) Future plans for the next five (5) years.
Based on the submitted documents, the PAMB, with technical assistance from the DENR, 
shall determine whether the existence and operation of said infrastructure, machineries and 
facilities and its future plans and operations would be detrimental to the NPPNP.
Existing laws, rules and regulations relating to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
System shall be applicable to projects and activities intended in the NPPNP. The issuance by 
the DENR of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or its exemption for any 
project or activity in the NPPNP shall be coordinated with the PAMB.
ARTICLE VIII
UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES
SECTION. 22. Utilization of Resources. Livelihood activities requiring the use of resources 
derived from the NPPNP shall be allowed only when it is found to be sustainable and 
consistent with the GMPS and only upon prior PAMB approval. Only non-timber products 
can be utilized for livelihood purposes, except trees planted in tenured areas. No exploration, 
exploitation or utilization of non-renewable resources for commercial purposes or by non- 
tenured migrants or non-ICCs shall be allowed. Energy generation projects utilizing 
renewable resource such as, but not limited to, hydroelectric, wind or solar generators may be 
allowed at the discretion of the PAMB.
Commercial utilization of resources by tenured migrants and the ICCs shall be allowed only 
upon prior PAMB approval and in accordance with the GMPS. Commercial exploitation and 
utilization of water resources and other permitted resources and establishment or installation 
of infrastructure such as, but not limited to, access roads, telecommunication facilities, etc., 
within the NPPNP shall require PAMB approval: Provided, that these are not in conflict with 
the GMPS and shall undergo the EIS System.
The utilization of non-tangible resources such as, but not limited to, aesthetic value, filming, 
camping and trekking areas, caving adventures, researches on flora and fauna, and other 
related activities shall require the approval of the PAMB pursuant to a corresponding 
permitting system to be adopted. The PAMB shall establish a mechanism that would 
streamline the processing of these permits in order to promote its viability to enhance revenue 
collection.
A permanent office, strategically situated within the NPPNP, shall be established for this 
purpose, where the PASu or his duly authorized representative can judiciously act on requests 
from respective parties with authority from the PAMB.
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TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 23. Appropriations. The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include in the 
Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 24. Applicability. The provisions of this Act shall be construed liberally in favor 
of tenured migrants and the ICC, with due consideration to the protection of biodiversity. The 
NIPAS Act shall supplement the implementation of this Act.
SECTION 25. Transitory Provisions. A new PAMB shall be convened and created within 
three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act. During the same period, the DENR, in 
coordination with the PAMB, the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives, the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the 
concerned Congressional District Representatives shall undertake the preparation of the 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
SECTION 26. Separability Clause. If any part or section of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or sections hereof
SECTION 27. Repealing Clause. All laws, proclamations, rules and regulations inconsistent 
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 28. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
ARTICLE IX
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