SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
"13 
JUL 23 
It 9 :0 II 
:EN~Al044 
,RicCi:> 
"IlV:+ \ 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan Del Sur 
as a protected area. 
The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, with a total area of 40,868 hectares, is the 
biggest marsh land in the Philippines. A refuge of migrant birds from Northern.Asia 
during winter season, the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary also provides an abode for 
the threatened populations of crocodile species namely the Philippine crocodile and the 
Philippine Saltwater crocodile. Also found in the area are no less than 31 species of 
flowering plants, 127 species of birds, 41 species of reptiles, 10 species of mammals, 14 
amphibians, 16 freshwater fish species belonging to 10 families and 65 species of 
butterflies, of which 3 are relatively rare. The Agusan River, which runs through the 
marsh, is the third longest river in the Philippines. The marsh is also called home by 
indigenous people, the Manobos, who live deep inside the marsh in floating houses. 
Recognizing the value of the area, it was proclaimed as the Agusan Marsh 
Wildlife Sanctuary by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 913 on October 31, 1996. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to declare the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary as a 
protected area in order to protect it from indiscriminate exploitation and to be able to 
maintain its ecological balance. 
Given the importance of biodiversity, it is deemed crucial that we act on this 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. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly urged. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
2 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
JUL 23 
1\ 9 :00 
Senate Bill No. 1044 . RECEi\'IH BV:=f 
Introduced by Senator Pia S. Cayetano 
AN ACT 
DECLARING 
THE 
AGUSAN 
MARSH 
WITHIN 
THE 
MUNICIPALITIES OF 
TALACOGON, SAN FRANCISCO, ROSARIO, BUNAWAN, LORETO AND LAPAZ 
IN THE PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR AS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 
PURSUANT TO R.A. 7586 PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Title. -
This Act shall be known as the "Agusan Marsh Wildlife 
2 
Sanctuary (AMWS) Act of 2013". 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Cognizant of the unique biological resources and the 
4 
aesthetic, economic and ecological importance of AMWS, it is hereby declared the policy of 
5 
the State to protect and preserve its natural biodiversity and to promote the welfare of the 
6 
human communities therein, their culture and way of life insofar as they are in harmony with 
7 
nature. It shall further be the policy of the State to promote the AMWS, with the end view of 
8 
fostering widespread awareness and concern for the same. Towards this end, the State shall 
9 
carry out comprehensive and holistic promotions, and training and information campaign 
10 
programs for the benefit of the general public, in pursuance of the duty of the State to uphold 
II 
the primacy of protecting, preserving and promoting these resources. 
12 
Finally, it shall be the policy of the State to encourage the participation of the private 
13 
sector and the local government units in the protection, preservation and promotion of the 
14 
AMWS. 
15 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined 
16 
as follows: 
17 
(a) "Ancestral Domains/Ancestral Lands" refer to all areas generally belonging to 
18 
indigenous cultural communities comprising lands, inland waters and natural resources 
19 
therein, held under a claim of ownership, occupied or possessed by indigenous cultural 
20 
communities, by themselves or through their ancestors, communally or individually since time 
21 
immemorial, continuously to the present except when interrupted by war, force majeure or 
22 
displacement by force, deceit, stealth or as a consequence of government projects or any 
23 
other voluntary dealings entered into by government and private individuals or corporations, 
24 
and which are necessary to ensure their economic, social and cultural welfare. 
It shall 


3 
include ancestral lands, forests, pasture, residential, agricultural and other lands individually 
2 
owned whether alienable and disposable or otherwise, hunting grounds, burial grounds, 
3 
worship areas, bodies of water, mineral and other natural resources, and lands which may no 
4 
longer be exclusively occupied by indigenous cultural communities but from which they 
5 
traditionally had access to for their subsistence and traditional activities, particularly the home 
6 
ranges of indigenous cultural communities who are still nomadic and/or shifting cultivators. 
7 
(b) "AMWS" refers to the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary. 
8 
(c) "AMWS Fund" refers to the revolving fund to be established for the purpose of 
9 
financing projects in the AMWS. 
10 
(d) "Biodiversity" refers to the variety and variability among all living organisms and the 
II 
ecological complex in which they occur. 
12 
(e) "Biological Resources" include genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, 
13 
population, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or value 
14 
for humanity. 
15 
(f) "Bioprospecting" means the research, collection and utilization of biological and 
16 
genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived therefrom solely for 
17 
commercial purposes. 
18 
(g) "Buffer Zone" refers to the identified area outside the boundaries of and immediately 
19 
adjacent to designated AMWS that need special development control in order to avoid or 
20 
minimize harm to the AMWS. 
21 
(h) "By-products or Derivatives" mean any part taken or substance extracted from 
22 
wildlife, in raw or in processed form. These include stuffed animals and herbarium 
23 
specimens. 
24 
(i) "Collection or Collecting" refers to the act of gathering or harvesting wildlife, its by-
25 
products or derivatives. 
26 
0) "Conservation" means preservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife, and/or 
27 
maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the habitat. 
28 
(k) "Ecosystem" means the' dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism 
29 
communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. 
30 
(I) "Endangered Species" refer to species or subspecies of flora and fauna that is not 
31 
critically endangered but whose survival in the wild is unlikely if the causal factors continue 
32 
operating. 
33 
(m) "Endemic Species" refer to species or subspecies of flora and fauna which is 
34 
naturally occurring and found only within specific areas in the country. 
35 
(n) "Exotic Species" refer to species or subspecies of flora and fauna which do not 
36 
naturally occur within the protected area at present or in historical time. 


4 
I 
(0) "Habitat" means a place or type of environment where a species or subspecies 
2 
naturally occurs or has naturally established its population. 
3 
(p) "Hunting" refers to collection of wild fauna for food and/or recreational purposes with 
4 
the use of weapons such as guns, bow and arrow, spear and the like. 
5 
(q) "Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous People (ICGs/IPs)" refer to a group 
6 
of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and ascription by others, who 
7 
have continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded and defined 
8 
territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, 
9 
possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, 
10 
traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, 
II 
social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became 
12 
historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. IPs shall likewise include peoples who 
13 
are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations which inhabited 
14 
the Country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-
IS 
indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present state boundaries, who 
16 
retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political institutions, but who 
17 
may have been displaced from their traditional domains or who may have resettled outside 
18 
their ancestral domains. 
19 
(r) "Management Board" refers to the Management Board of the AMWS. 
20 
(s) "Management Plan" refers to the fundamental plan, strategy and/or scheme which 
21 
shall guide all activities relating to the AMWS in order to attain the objectives of this Act. 
22 
(t) "Mineral" refers to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid, gas, liquid, or 
23 
any intermediate state including energy materials such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, 
24 
radioactive materials, and geothermal energy. 
25 
(u) "Mu Itip le- Use Zone" refers to an area where settlement, traditional and/or 
26 
sustainable land use, including agriculture, agro-forestry, extraction activities and other 
27 
income generating or livelihood activities, may be allowed to the extent prescribed in the 
28 
initial plan or management plan of AMWS .. 
29 
(v) "National Integrated Protected Areas System" refers to the classification and 
30 
administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes 
31 
and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of 
32 
resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent 
33 
possible. 
34 
(w) "National Park" refers to the land of the public domain classified as such in the 1987 
35 
Philippine Constitution which include all areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas 
36 
System (NIPAS) pursuant to R.A. 7586 primarily designated for the conservation of native 
37 
plants and animals, their associated habitats and cultural diversity. 


5 
(x) "Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)" refer to an agency, institution, foundation 
2 
or a group of persons whose purpose is to assist peoples organizations/associations in 
3 
various ways including, but not limited to, organizing, education, training, research and/or 
4 
resource accessing. 
5 
(y) "People's Organizations (POs)" refer to a group organized migrant communities and/ 
6 
or interested indigenous peoples which may be an association, cooperative, federation, 
7 
aggrupation of individuals or groups with an identifiable structure of decision-making and 
8 
accountability, established to undertake collective action to address community concerns and 
9 
needs in relation to the AMWS. 
10 
(z) "Protected Area" refers to the identified portions of land and/or water set aside by 
11 
reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological 
12 
diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation. 
13 
(a a) "Protected Area Management Board" refers to a multi-sectoral policy-making body 
14 
for the AMWS created in accordance with RA 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992. 
15 
(bb) "Protected Area Superintendent (PASu)" refers to the chief operating DENR officer 
16 
of the AMWS. 
17 
(bb) "Quarrying" means the process of extracting, removing and disposing quarry 
18 
resources found on or underneath the surface of private or public land. 
19 
(cc) "Strict Protection Zone" refers to a natural area with high biodiversity value which 
20 
shall be closed to all human activity except for scientific studies and/or ceremonial or religious 
21 
use by the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples; may include habitats of 
22 
threatened species, or degraded areas that have been designated for restoration and 
23 
subsequent protection, even if these areas are still in various stages of regeneration. 
24 
(dd) "Sustainable Use" means the use of components of biological diversity in a way and 
25 
rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its 
26 
potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations. 
27 
(ee) "Tenured Migrants" refer to forest occupants who have actually and continuously 
28 
occupied a portion of the AMWS and is solely dependent therein for subsistence. An AMWS 
29 
occupant is understood to be "solely dependent for subsistence" when everything 
30 
indispensable for survival for the household, including food, clothing, shelter and health, 
31 
comes only from the utilization of resources from the AMWS. 
32 
(ff) "Threatened Species" refers to a general term to denote species or subspecies of 
33 
flora and fauna considered as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or other 
34 
accepted categories of wildlife whose population is at risk of extinction. 
35 
(gg) "Wildlife" means wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all developmental 
36 
stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated. 
37 
(hh) "Wildlife Sanctuary" refers to an area which assures the natural conditions 
38 
necessary to protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or 


6 
physical features of the environment where these may require specific human manipulation 
2 
for their perpetuation. 
3 
SEC. 4. 
Scope and Coverage. -
The boundaries of AMWS located in the 
4 
Municipalities of Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Loreto and Lapaz, all in the 
5 
Province of Agusan del Sur, shall be more particularly described as follows: 
6 
CORNER 
LONGITUDE 
LATITUDE 
7 
1 
125' 49'04.79" 
8' 23'42.52" 
8 
2 
125' 48'12.00" 
8' 25'04.99" 
9 
3 
125' 47'45.61" 
8' 25'27.43" 
10 
4 
125' 46'53.11" 
8' 25'26.43" 
11 
5 
125' 46'05.20" 
8' 25'00.65" 
12 
6 
125' 44'49.47" 
8' 24'26.12" 
13 
7 
125' 45'43.53" 
8' 28'35.42" 
14 
8 
125' 46'23.31" 
8' 28'24.47" 
15 
9 
125' 46'35.47" 
8' 27'47.25" 
16 
10 
125' 47'14.00" 
8' 26'14.00" 
17 
11 
125' 48'16.02" 
8' 26'04.35" 
18 
12 
125' 48'35.62" 
8' 25'20.29" 
19 
13 
125' 52'15.30" 
8' 27'07.15" 
20 
14 
125' 52'12.24" 
8' 27'30.98" 
21 
15 
125' 54'03.83" 
8' 28'38.32" 
22 
16 
125' 48'12.00" 
8' 29'04.84" 
23 
17 
125' 54'56.89" 
8' 29'00.92" 
24 
18 
125' 55'32.73" 
8' 28'18.88" 
25 
19 
125' 55'42.83" 
8'26'46.73" 
26 
20 
125' 56'25.83" 
8' 26'49.89" 
27 
21 
125' 56'45.39" 
8' 25'42.12" 
28 
22 
125' 55'52.45" 
8' 24'59.17" 
29 
23 
125' 55'06.62" 
8' 24'26.48" 
30 
24 
125' 54'44.48" 
8' 23'45.67" 
31 
25 
125' 54'49.22" 
8' 23'37.35" 
32 
26 
125' 56'56.36" 
8' 22'58.64" 
33 
27 
125' 57'40.79" 
8' 22'04.75" 
34 
28 
125' 57'16.33" 
8' 21'28.91" 
35 
29 
125' 56'36.83" 
8'21'19.18" 
36 
30 
125' 56'58.78" 
8' 20'35.91" 
37 
31 
125' 58'33.34" 
8'16'13.41" 
38 
32 
125' 56'13.01" 
8'14'44.96" 


7 
33 
125' 55'27.53" 
8' 13'52.44" 
2 
34 
125' 55'22.90" 
8' 12'55.75" 
3 
35 
125' 55'25.98" 
8' 12'1S.40" 
4 
36 
125' 54'59.50" 
8' 12'11.61" 
5 
37 
125' 55'05.0S" 
S' 12'01.15" 
6 
3S 
125' 55'06.25" 
S' 11 '35.1S" 
7 
39 
125' 56'42.60" 
S' 09'45.79" 
8 
40 
125' 55'17.SS" 
S' 09'41.73" 
9 
41 
125' 55'20.34" 
S' OS'55.13" 
10 
42 
125' 56'51.60" 
S' 08'50.51" 
11 
43 
125' 57'OS.70" 
S' OS'43.1S" 
12 
44 
125' 56'07.40" 
S' OS'12.90" 
13 
45 
125' 55'40.71" 
S' OS'09.S5" 
14 
46 
125' 54'53.29" 
S' OS'36.S4" 
15 
47 
125' 55'02.79" 
S' OS'49.79" 
16 
48 
125' 54'59.01" 
S' 09'09.17" 
17 
49 
125' 54'46.68" 
8' 09'11.63" 
18 
50 
125' 54'45.S3" 
8' OS'59.76" 
19 
51 
125' 54'34.49" 
S' OS'33.42" 
20 
52 
125' 54'26.59" 
8' 08'10.15" 
21 
53 
125' 54'14.53" 
S' 07'52.51" 
22 
54 
125'54'26.17" 
8' 07'46.37" 
23 
55 
125' 54'22.61" 
S' 07'32.20" 
24 
56 
125' 54'1S.04" 
S' 07'26.21" 
25 
57 
125' 52'50.11" . S' 07'20.6S" 
26 
5S 
125' 53'10.52" 
8' 07'31.73" 
27 
59 
125' 53'20.71" 
S' 07'46.S4" 
28 
60 
125' 53'11.S0" 
S' OS'09.03" 
29 
61 
125' 53'18.25" 
S' OS'4S.SS" 
30 
62 
125' 53'22.14" 
S' 09'29.74" 
31 
63 
125' 53'34.51" 
S' 09'30.33" 
32 
64 
125' 53'34.10" 
8' 09'49.SS" 
33 
65 
125' 53'39.04" 
S'10'14.43" 
34 
66 
125' 53'41.65" 
8' 1 0'2S.27" 
35 
67 
125' 53'34.33" 
8' 1 0'54.15" 
36 
68 
125' 52'52.16" 
8' 10'27.71" 
37 
69 
125' 52'32.21" 
8' 10'31.70" 
38 
70 
125' 52'22.57" 
S' 10'38.02" 


2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
\I 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
71 
72 
73 
74 
75 
76 
77 
78 
79 
80 
81 
82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 
88 
89 
90 
91 
92 
93 
94 
95 
96 
8 
125' 52'09.78" 
8' 11 '12.20" 
125' 52'22.84" 
8' 11 '12.06" 
125' 52'16.37" 
8' 11 '16.37" 
125' 52'04.64" 
8' 11 '36.52" 
125' 52'03.40" 
8' 12'03.88" 
125' 52'06.67" 
8' 12'14.26" 
125' 51'47.48" 
8' 12'46.53" 
125' 51 '17.87" 
8' 12'56.01" 
125' 51 '20.56" 
8' 15'00.30" 
125' 51 '04.98" 
8' 15'03.84" 
125' 50'32.40" 
8' 15'45.76" 
125' 50'18.71" 
8' 16'11.78" 
125' 50'19.09" 
8' 16'37.70" 
125' 51 '14.98" 
8' 16'59.06" 
125' 52'17.17" 
8' 17'29.35" 
125' 52'56.66" 
8' 17'38.54" 
125' 53'53.33" 
8' 18'05.11" 
125' 53'52.01" 
8' 18'46.58" 
125' 53'20.80" 
8' 19'14.36" 
125' 52'38.47" 
8' 19'13.76" 
125' 51 '29.53" 
8' 18'17.95" 
125' 50'55.06" 
8' 17'52.19" 
125' 49'54.07" 
8' 17'58.93" 
125' 49'40.42" 
8' 18'07.45" 
125' 49'37.33" 
8' 19'13.68" 
125' 48'30.19" 
8' 20'26.87" 
27 
The AMWS shall cover a total area of Forty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Eight 
28 
(40,868) hectares. 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National 
29 
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (DENR-NAMRIA) shall validate the technical 
30 
descriptions provided in this Act through ground survey/demarcation and shall create 
31 
appropriate maps therefor. Any modification of the coverage of this Act to due to factors such 
32 
as changing ecological situations, new scientific or archaeological findings, or discovery of 
33 
traditional boundaries shall be made through an act of Congress, after full consultation with 
34 
the affected public and concerned government agencies. 
35 
Considering the character of AMWS as a catch basin, the Management Board and the 
36 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall implement appropriate programs 
37 
and measures outside the AMWS to prevent any adverse effects thereto such as, but not 
38 
limited to, wastes from industries and run-offs from all areas that feed into the AMWS. 


9 
SEC.5. 
2 
SEC. 6. Land Classification. - All lands of the public domain comprising the AMWS 
3 
shall fall under the classification of National Park as provided for in the Philippine 
4 
Constitution. 
s 
SEC. 7. Management of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary. - There is hereby 
6 
created a Management Board which shall have jurisdiction, power and authority over the 
7 
AMWS for all matters that may affect biodiversity conservation, protection and sustainable 
8 
development. It shall be composed of: 
9 
(a) The Regional Executive Director (RED) of the DENR CARAGA-XIII as chairperson; 
10 
(b) The Governor of Agusan del Sur as Co-Chairperson; 
11 
(c) The Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO) of Agusan del Sur; 
12 
(d)The Mayors of Municipalities of Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, 
13 
Loreto and Lapaz in the Province of Agusan del Sur, or their duly designated representatives; 
14 
(e) One (1) representative from each barangay covering the AMWS; 
IS 
(f) One (1) representative from each department or national government agency directly 
16 
involved in the protected area or has long term projects or permanent facility located therein; 
17 
(9) One (1) representative from each tribal community in each of the municipalities 
18 
comprising the selected by and among themselves according to customary rights; 
19 
(h) At least three (3) representatives from the local NGOs with stakes in the AMWS 
20 
chosen from among themselves; and 
21 
(i) At least two (2) representatives from local POs with stakes in the AMWS chosen 
22 
among themselves; and 
23 
U) One (1) representative from the academe involved in the AMWS. 
24 
Each member of the Management Board shall serve for a term of five (5) years and shall 
25 
be considered to represent his or her sector and deemed to carry the vote of such sector in 
26 
all matters. In the case of members who are government officials, their appointment shall be 
27 
co-terminus with their term of office. 
28 
The members of the Management Board shall be appointed by the Secretary of the 
29 
DENR in conformity with the provisions of the NIPAS Act. As a transitory provision, the initial 
30 
members of the Management Board shall be nominated from the current members of the 
31 
interim Management Board. Provided, That the members shall include a number of women. 
32 
In the selection of representatives from POs and NGOs preference shall be accorded to 
33 
those organizations that are involved in the conservation, protection and development of the 
34 
AMWS. Representation shall be by institution and shall aim to achieve in representation by 
35 
geographic location or areas. The representatives from the local government units (LGUs) 
36 
and national agencies in the Management Board 
shall include among their duties, the 
37 
appraisal of their respective constituents, office or sector of the Management Board 
38 
approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs and projects and ensuring 


10 
that the provisions of this Act, the NIPAS Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations 
2 
are observed, complied with, and used as reference and framework in their respective plans, 
3 
policies, programs and projects. Failure to comply with' the foregoing shall subject such 
4 
representative to disciplinary action as the Management Board may provide. 
5 
The members of the Board shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
6 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance in 
7 
meetings of the Board or in connection with other official business authorized by a resolution 
8 
of the Board, subject to existing rules and regulations. 
9 
SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the Management Board. - The Management Board 
10 
shall have the following powers and functions in addition to those provided under RA 7586 or 
\I 
the NIPAS Act of 1992 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations: 
12 
(a) Issue rules and regulations to prohibit acts that may be prejudicial to the AMWS and 
\3 
to the declaration of policy set forth under the NIPAS; 
14 
(b) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and 
IS 
effective means; 
16 
(c) Adopt rules and procedures in the conduct of business, including the creation of 
17 
committees to which its powers may be delegated; 
18 
(d) Approve the management plan of the AMWS and oversee the Office of PASu; 
19 
(e) Establish criteria and set fees for the issuance of permits for the activities regulated 
20 
by this Act, or the management plan; 
21 
(f) Recommend the deputization of appropriate individuals for the enforcement of the 
22 
laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct or management of the AMWS; 
23 
(g) Approve fees and charges in accordance with existing policies and raise funds for 
24 
theAMWS; 
25 
(h) Report to the DENR, on a quarterly basis, the status of the implementation of this 
26 
Act, with emphasis on the disbursement of funds appropriated for the execution of the various 
27 
policies and programs hereunder, and on the status of cases for the prosecution of the 
28 
violations of this Act; 
29 
(i) Formulate programs for the promotion, training' and information dissemination 
30 
pertaining to the AMWS and its significance as a vital natural resource of the country; 
31 
(j) Manage the allocation of the AMWS Fund, and other funds for the AMWS, ensure 
32 
their proper administration and render accounting; and 
33 
(k) Recommend appropriate policy reforms to the DENR and other government 
34 
authorities. 
35 
(I) Identify, verify and review all tenure instrument, land claims and issuance of permits 
36 
for resource use within the AMWS. 
37 
The DENR, through the Regional Executive Director (RED), shall ensure that the 
38 
Management Board acts within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict 


11 
1 
between administrative orders issued by the DENR pursuant to the NIPAS Act and the 
2 
resolutions issued by the Management Board, such conflict shall be referred by Management 
3 
Board to the DENR Secretary who shall decide whether to apply the rule or withdraw its 
4 
application from the AMWS. 
5 
SEC. 8. Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Office. - The PASu Office is hereby 
6 
created within the DENR Regional Office to be headed by the PASu who shall serve as the 
7 
chief operating DENR officer of the entire AMWS. The PASu shall report directly to the RED 
8 
of the DENR-Region CARAGA XIII and shall be accountable to the Management Board. The 
9 
PASu and the PASu staff shall reside within the AMWS and establish an office and sub-
10 
offices within the AMWS in order to implement this Act. 
11 
The PASu shall have full responsibility for the protection of land, water, wildlife and 
12 
other natural physical and biological resources within the AMWS. As such, the PASu shall 
13 
have the following duties and responsibilities in addition to those provided under the existing 
14 
laws and regulations: 
15 
(a) Establish, operate and maintain a database management system as decision 
16 
support tool; 
17 
(b) Initiate the preparation of the management plans as herein defined; 
18 
(c) Provide a secretariat for the Management Board and supply the Management Board 
19 
with all the information necessary to make appropriate decisions for the implementation of 
20 
this Act; 
21 
(d) Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the AMWS, institute and file legal 
22 
action independently or in collaboration with other government agencies or organizations and 
23 
assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of this Act; 
24 
(e) Monitor all activities within the AMWS to ensure its conformity with the management 
25 
plan; 
26 
(f) Implement the promotion, training and information campaign programs as formulated 
27 
by the Management Board; 
28 
(g) Report to the Management Board, on a quarterly basis, the status of the 
29 
implementation of the various programs under this Act, such as, but not limited to, the 
30 
database management system, the Management Plan of the AMWS, and the enforcement of 
31 
the laws, rules and regulation relevant to the AMWS and the prosecution of the violations 
32 
thereof; 
33 
(h) Recommend the issuance of permits based on terms, conditions and criteria 
34 
established by the Management Board; and 
35 
(i) Perform such other functions as the Management Board may assign. 
36 
The PASu shall be supported by sufficient number of personnel who shall be performing 
37 
day. to day management, protection and administration of the AMWS. Upon the 


12 
recommendation of the Management Board, the DENR Regional Executive Director shall 
2 
deputize local community leaders and environment and natural resource officers. 
3 
SEC. 9. Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctaury (AMWS) Fund. - There is hereby established 
4 
a revolving fund to be known as the AMWS Fund for purposes of financing projects of the 
5 
AMWS. 
6 
Income shall be derived from visitor/tourist fees, fees from permitted sale and export of 
7 
flora and fauna and other resources from the AMWS, proceeds from registration and lease of 
8 
multiple-use areas, including tourism concessions, contributions from industries and facilities 
9 
directly benefiting the Sanctuary; and such other fees and income derived from the operation 
10 
of the Sanctuary. Provided, That the seventy-five (75%) percent shall be set aside and 
II 
retained by the Management Board which shall appropriate the same exclusively for the 
12 
management and operation of the AMWS. Provided, further, th.at the remaining twenty-five 
13 
(25%) shall be remitted to the Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF). 
14 
The AMWS Fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various 
15 
sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions: Provided, That 
16 
disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration 
17 
and management of the system, and duly approved projects endorsed by the Management 
18 
Board 
in accordance with existing accounting and budgeting rules and regulations: 
19 
Provided, further, That the Fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures. 
20 
The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein 
21 
which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, and rentals of LGUs' 
22 
facilities. Provided, that the LGUs shall not impose property tax and issue tax declaration for 
23 
areas or properties located in Timberland areas or areas previously classified as National 
24 
Parks. Provided, That such add-ons shall be determined based on the contribution of the 
25 
LGUs in the maintenance and protection of the AMWS. 
26 
SEC. 10. 
Indigenous People's Rights. - Ancestral domain and other customary 
27 
rights and interests of indigenous communities within the AMWS shall be accorded due 
28 
recognition. The preservation of ancestral domain and customary rights shall be considered 
29 
as one of the management objectives. The maintenance, management and development of 
30 
ancestral domains which are found to be necessary for protected areas will be pursuant to 
31 
Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the "The Indigenous Peoples 
32 
Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA),'. 
33 
The identification, delineation and recognition of ancestral domain claims within the 
34 
AMWS shall be conducted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 


13 
pursuant to its provisions, the IPRA, and its implementing rules and regulations, in 
2 
coordination with the Management Board. 
3 
SEC. 11. Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources. - Any exploitation of or utilization 
4 
of nonrenewable resources within the AMWS shall not be allowed. Renewable Energy 
5 
projects within the AMWS shall be allowed only through an act of Congress except energy 
6 
from wind, sun, and water sources and not more than one (1) megawatt capacity for mini-
7 
hydro power: Provided, that these renewable energy projects are established outside the 
8 
strict protection zone, adopt reduced impact technologies, and undergo the Environmental 
9 
Impact Assessment (EIA) system as provided by law and: Provided, Further, that the 
10 
Management Board endorsement has been obtained. 
11 
SEC. 12. Tenured Migrants and Other AMWS Occupants- Tenured migrants shall be 
12 
eligible to become stewards of portions of lands within allowable zones. 
13 
The Management Board shall identify, verify and review all tenurial instruments, land 
14 
claims and issuances of permits for resource use within the AMWS and recommend the 
15 
issuance of the appropriate tenurial instrument consistent with the zoning provided in the 
16 
management plan and its successor plans. 
17 
Should areas occupied by tenured migrants be designated as zones in which no 
18 
occupation or other activities are allowed pursuant to the attainment of sustainable 
19 
development, provision for their transfer of said tenured migrants to multiple use zones or 
20 
buffer zones shall be accomplished through just and humane means. 
21 
In the event of termination of a tenurial instrument for cause or by voluntary surrender of 
22 
rights, the PASu shall take immediate steps to rehabilitate the area in order to return it to its 
23 
natural state prior to the cultivation or other act by the tenured migrant. 
24 
Other AMWS occupants who do not qualify as tenured migrants shall be resettled 
25 
outside the AMWS as determined by the Management Board. The Management Board shall 
26 
determine, plan and implement a definite schedule for resettling them outside of the AMWS 
27 
following the procedures set forth by existing law. 
28 
SEC. 13. Existing Facilities Within the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary. - Within sixty 
29 
(60.) days from the effectivity of this Act, existing facilities such as roads, buildings, water 
30 
systems, transmission lines, communication facilities, heavy equipments, and irrigation 
31 
facilities existing within the boundaries of the AMWS shall submit project description to the 
32 
Management Board through the PASu. 
33 
The Management Board, with the assistance of the DENR, shall determine whether the 
34 
existence of such facility and its future plan and operations will be detrimental to the AMWS 
35 
or whether conditions for its operation shall be imposed. If any such conditions are violated, 
36 
the owner of the facility shall be liable to pay. a fine of Five t,housand pesos (P5,O.O.O..O.O.) Jor 
37 
every violation. Upon reaching a total fine of Five hundred thousand pesos (P5O.O.,O.O.O..O.O.), 
38 
the Management Board through the PASu and deputizing other government entities, shall 


14 
cause the cessation and demolition of the facility at the cost of its owner. 
2 
Existing facilities allowed to remain within the AMWS may be charged a reasonable 
3 
royalty by the Management Board. All income from such royalty shall accrue to the AMWS 
4 
Fund. 
5 
SEC. 14. Prohibited Acts and Penalties. - The following shall be the prohibitions and 
6 
penalties applicable to the AMWS, in addition to the prohibited acts as provided in the NIPAS 
7 
Act and its pertinent rules and regulations: 
8 
(a) The penalties in Articles 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal Code, depending on the 
9 
value of the resources involved in connection with the prohibited act and!or a fine at least 
10 
triple the value of the said resources, shall be imposed upon any person who: 
11 
(1) Takes, destroys, collects, disturbs or possesses any wild terrestrial or aquatic plants, 
12 
animals, flora or fauna, sand, rocks or by- products derived therefrom, within particularly 
13 
identified regulated or prohibited areas zones in the AMWS including private lands, without 
14 
the necessary permit, authorization or exemption. Provided, that hunting of animals shall be 
15 
absolutely prohibited except for scientific research and! or traditions of hunting by the IPs! 
16 
ICCs; 
17 
(2) Cuts, gathers, removes or collects timber or any forest products, within particularly 
18 
identified regulated or prohibited areas or zones in the AMWS including private lands, without 
19 
the necessary permit, authorization or exemption; 
20 
(3) Possesses or transports, within or outside the AMWS any timber, forest products, 
21 
wild terrestrial or aquatic plants, animals, or by- product derived therefrom which is 
22 
ascertained to have been taken from the AMWS; 
23 
(4) Undertakes mineral exploration or extraction within the AMWS; 
24 
(5) Engages in quarrying of sand, gravel, guano, limestone or any material within the 
25 
AMWS; or 
26 
(6) Hunts, collects, removes or destroys any endangered or protected species, except 
27 
when collection or removal is for scientific research and exempted from the prohibition by the 
28 
Management Board; 
29 
(7) Conducts bioprospecting within the AMWS without the necessary permit; or 
30 
(8) Establishes or introduces any exotic species, within the AMWS, which are 
31 
detrimental to endemic species and the ecosystem therein. 
32 
(b) A fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) nor more than Five hundred 
33 
thousand pesos (P500,000.00) and!or imprisonment from one (1) year but not more than six 
34 
(6) years shall be imposed upon any person who: 
35 
(1) Violates any rules and regulations in the management plan or by the Management 
36 
Board or agreements reached before the Management Board in the exercise of adjudicative 
37 
functions; 


15 
(2) Erects any structure on land or on water for any purposes outside the management 
2 
plan, duly allowed by the Management Board: Provided, That large-scale private 
3 
infrastructure and other projects such as medium to high density residential subdivisions, 
4 
medium to large commercial and industrial establishments, golf-courses, heavily mechanized 
5 
commercial and non-traditional farming, and other activities that cause increased in-
6 
migration, pollution and resource degradation are absolutely prohibited; 
7 
(3) Possesses a chainsaw, hacksaw and other mechanized equipment within the without 
8 
an AMWS permit; 
9 
(4) Throws, dumps or causes to be dumped into the AMWS any non-biodegradable 
10 
material or waste whether liquid, solid or gas; 
11 
(5) Uses, dumps, places or causes to be placed into the AMWS toxic chemicals, 
12 
including pesticides and other hazardous substances, unless the same is expressly allowed 
13 
in the management plan; 
14 
(6) Prospects, hunts or otherwise locate hidden treasures within the AMWS; 
15 
(7) Informally occupies or dwells in any land within the AMWS without clearance from 
16 
the Management Board; 
17 
(8) Possesses or uses blasting caps or explosives anywhere within the AMWS; 
18 
(9) Destroys, excavates, vandalizes or, in any manner, damages any natural formation 
19 
on land, religious, spiritual, historical sites, artifacts and other objects of natural or scenic 
20 
value; 
21 
(10) Alters, removes, or destroys any boundary markers; or 
22 
(11) Engages in kaingin, or, in any manner, causing forest fires inside the AMWS. 
23 
Valuation of the damage for this Act shall take into account biodiversity and 
24 
conservation considerations as well as aesthetic and scenic value. Valuation assessed by the 
25 
DENR or the concerned government agency shall be presumed correct unless otherwise 
26 
proven by preponderant evidence. 
27 
Any person who shall induce another or conspire to commit any of the illegal acts 
28 
prohibited in this Act or suffer their workers to commit any of the same shall be liable in the 
29 
same manner as the one actually performing the act. 
30 
All conveyances, vessels, equipments, paraphernalia, implements, gears, tools and 
31 
similar devices shall be subject to immediate and administrative confiscation, independent of 
32 
the judicial proceedings by the PASu Office upon apprehension, subject however to due 
33 
process and substantial evidence requirements. When legal action is however filed in the 
34 
regular courts, the said conveyances, vessels, equipments, paraphernalia, implements, 
35 
gears, tools and similar devices, independent of the administrative proceedings, shall not be 
36 
released until after judgment has been rendered. Proceeds of the sale of all objects 
37 
administratively or judicially confiscated pursuant hereto shall accrue to the AMWS Fund. 
38 
Procedure for the sale thereof shall be promulgated by the Management Board. However, in 


16 
no case shall any confiscated or rescued protected animal species be sold or in any manner 
2 
disposed of but shall be immediately turned over to the PASu Office for release in its natural 
3 
habitat, subject to existing regulations. However, in no case shall any confiscated or rescued 
4 
protected animal species be sold or in any manner disposed of but shall be immediately 
5 
turned over to the PASU Office for release in its natural habitat, subject to existing 
6 
regulations. 
7 
The penalties specified in this Section will be in addition to the penalties contained in RA 
8 
9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act), RA 9147 
9 
(Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act), and other related laws. 
10 
Conviction for any offense under this Act, of a public officer or officer of the law shall 
11 
carry the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office. 
12 
SEC. 15. Special Prosecutor and Retained Counsel. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
13 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall appoint a special prosecutor to 
14 
whom all cases of violation of laws, rules and regulations in the AMWS shall be assigned. 
15 
Such Special Prosecutor shall coordinate with the Management Board and the PASu in the 
16 
performance of his/her duties and assist in the training of wardens and rangers in arrest and 
17 
criminal procedures. The Management Board 
may retain the services of counsel to 
18 
prosecute and/or assist in the prosecution of cases under the direct control and supervision 
19 
of the regular or special prosecutor and to defend the members of the Management Board, 
20 
the PASu and the staff, or any person assisting in the protection, conservation and 
21 
sustainable development of the AMWS, against any legal action related to their powers, 
22 
functions and responsibilities as provided in this Act or as delegated or tasked by the 
23 
Management Board. 
24 
SEC. 16 . Transitory Provision- In order to ensure the recovery and restoration of 
25 
biological diversity and to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities for tenured migrants, 
26 
the DENR shall henceforth cease to issue concessions, licenses, permits, clearances, 
27 
compliance documents or any other instrument that allows exploitation and utilization of 
28 
resources within the AMWS until the management plan shall have been put into effect. 
29 
All existing land use and resource use permits within the AMWS shall be reviewed and 
30 
shall not be renewed upon their expiration unless consistent with the management plan and 
31 
approved by the Management Board. 
32 
SEC. 17. Reporting Responsibility. - The PASu, through the Management Board, shall 
33 
submit an annual accomplishment report to the Secretary of the DENR on the activities 
34 
undertaken in the AMWS. 
35 
SEC. 18. Appropriations. - The Secretary shall immediately include in the DENR's 
36 
program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 
37 
General Appropriations Act. 
38 
SEC. 19. Construction and Suppletory Application of Existing Laws. The provisions of 


17 
this Act shall be construed liberally in favor of achieving biodiversity conservation, protection 
2 
and sustainable development Provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the 
3 
National Integrated Protected Areas Management Act of 1992 and existing forestry laws, and 
4 
their corresponding rules and regulations not inconsistent hereto shall have the suppletory 
5 
effect in the implementation of this Act. 
6 
SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, proclamations, rules and regulations 
7 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
8 
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or section of this Act is 
9 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such other parts not affected thereby shall remain in full 
10 
force and effect. 
11 
SEC. 22. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
12 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation available 
\3 
in the AMWS. 
14 
Approved,