Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ----
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution, the highest law of the land, enshrines 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. (Article II, Section 16) 
The Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve (PCWFR) was 
proclaimed on May 21, 1969, by virtue of Proclamation No. 561, issued by former 
President Ferdinand Marcos. In 2018, it was placed under the protection of Republic Act 
No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act 11038, as an initial component. The watershed 
reservation covers a total area of 102,030.53 hectares (96,476.51 hectares ofland and 
5,554.02 hectares ofwater).1 The watershed forest reserve lies between 15°44' to 16°88' 
north latitude and 120°36' to 122°00' east longitude bounded on the north, northwest 
and northeast by the Caraballo Mountain Ranges and on the south, southeast and 
southwest by the Sierra Madre Ranges. The watershed is approximately 176 km away 
from Manila. 2
The PCWFR is a critical conservation area found in the upper reaches of the 
Upper Pampanga Rivier Basin. The watershed area is home to grasses like Cogon, 
Talahib, Hagonoy, and Samon-samon, which co-exist with Alibangbang and Yemane. 
There are also fruit-bearing trees in the area like mango, cashew and guyabano, as well 
as other citrus species. 3 While the PCWFR is already an incredible hotspot of a myriad 
of flora and fauna, there is much more to discover and protect. 
Likewise, the area is considered a "critical watershed" since it supports a 
multipurpose dam for irrigation and hydroelectric generation.4 The watershed also 
1 N.a. "Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve". Biodiversity Management Bureau. N.d. Web. Accessed on 15
December 2022. < https://pais.bmb.gov.ph/pas/home/info/DENRRE30011> 
2 Lasco RD, Cruz RVO, Pulhin JM, Pulhin FB (2010). "Assessing climate change impacts;adaptation and vulnerability: The case
of the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed". World Agroforestry Centre and College of Forestry and Natural Resources, 
University 
of 
the 
Philippines 
Los 
Banos. 
9Sp. 
< 
http://apps.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/B16SS9.pdf> 
3 N.a. "Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed". National Power Corporation. 14 September 2017. Web. Accessed on 15
December 
2022. 
<https://www.napocor.gov.ph/index.php/services/watershed-management/watershed-areas/26-
watershed/ 118-pa ntaba nga n-ca rra ngla n-wate rshed> 
4 Supra, note 1. 
November 6, 2023
5:32 pm
9444






Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9444 
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PANTABANGAN-CARRANGLAN WATERSHED 
FOREST RESERVE SITUATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
PANTABANGAN AND CARRANGLAN, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA, AS 
A PROTECTED AREA UNDER THE CATEGORY OF PROTECTED 
LANDSCAPE PURSUANT TO 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 APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I.  
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Pantabangan-
Carranglan Protected Landscape Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – Cognizant of the profound impact of human 
activities on all components of the natural environment, it is hereby declared 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 declaration of protected 
areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) within the 
classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution.  
In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and fauna, 
that are native and distinct to the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, 
as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the 
Municipalities of Pantabangan and Carranglan, and Bongabon in the Province of Nueva 


Ecija; Municipalities of Alfonso Castañeda and Aritao in the Province of Nueva 
Vizcaya; and Municipality of Maria Aurora in the Province of Aurora, is hereby 
declared a protected area with the category of Protected Landscape, and shall hereinafter 
be referred to as the Pantabangan-Carranglan Protected Landscape (PCPL). As such, 
the State shall ensure the conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation of 
the area. It is likewise recognized that effective administration of this area is possible 
only through cooperation among national government, local government units (LGUs), 
concerned nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private entities and local 
communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the principles 
of biological diversity and sustainable development.  
Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the 
mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the 
full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and the 
integrity of the ecosystems, culture and indigenous practices. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a. Buffer zones refer to identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately
adjacent to designated protected areas that need special development control in
order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area;
b. Conservation refers to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable utilization
of wildlife or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of habitats;
c. Indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/Indigenous peoples (IPs) refer to
groups 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;
d. National park refers to land of the public domain classified as such in the
Constitution which include all areas under the NIPAS, primarily designated for
the conservation of native plants and animals, their associated habitats and
cultural diversity;
e. Natural biotic area refers to 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;


f. Protected area refers to an identified portion of land and water set aside by 
reason of its unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance 
biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation; and 
g. Tenured migrants refer to protected area occupants who have been actually, 
continuously and presently occupying a portion of the protected area for five (5) 
years before the proclamation or law establishing the same as a protected area, 
and are solely dependent therein for subsistence. 
SEC. 4. Classification as a National Park. – The PCPL is comprised of a parcel 
of land of the public domain located in the Municipalities of Pantabangan, Carranglan, 
and Bongabon in the Province of Nueva Ecija; Municipalities of Alfonso Castañeda and 
Aritao in the Province of Nueva Vizcaya; and Municipality of Maria Aurora in the 
Province of Aurora. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of 
the PCPL shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for in Article 
XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.  
SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. – Beginning at a point marked "1" on the map 
being S 00˚36'16" E 3,347.85 meters from NEJ - 3301 (Latitude 15˚48'50.06985"N, 
Longitude 121˚05'36.00489"E) located at Brgy. Fatima, Municipality of Pantabangan, 
Province of Nueva Ecija. 
LINE 
BEARING 
DISTANCE  
1-2 
N 82˚51'49" W 
1706.35 M. 
2-3 
N 45˚24'01" W 
899.85 M. 
3-4 
N 28˚37'38" W 
1164.13 M. 
4-5 
N 00˚35'48" E 
2413.4 M. 
5-6 
N 11˚14'04" W 
1988.89 M. 
6-7 
N 13˚35'56" E 
2374.4 M. 
7-8 
N 30˚18'05" W 
1638.74 M. 
8-9 
N 62˚40'00" W 
1623.81 M. 
9-10 
N 44˚18'34" W 
3084.69 M. 
10-11 
N 07˚37'58" W 
2742.29 M. 
11-12 
N 26˚48'22" E 
3422.57 M. 
12-13 
N 40˚32'49" W 
1392.58 M. 
13-14 
N 37˚05'47" W 
2375.33 M. 
14-15 
N 28˚52'01" W 
3232.69 M. 
15-16 
N 00˚02'55" E 
2074.34 M. 
16-17 
N 39˚55'13" E 
1521.4 M. 
17-18 
N 24˚23'06" W 
2391.75 M. 


18-19 
N 01˚22'02" W 
2158.56 M. 
19-20 
N 18˚57'03" E 
5016.07 M. 
20-21 
N 45˚22'37" W 
642.87 M. 
21-22 
N 15˚33'41" E 
867.9 M. 
22-23 
N 70˚49'01" E 
2472.64 M. 
23-24 
S 67˚02'53" E 
1306.78 M. 
24-25 
S 42˚26'28" E 
1005.67 M. 
25-26 
N 61˚08'49" E 
1496.83 M. 
26-27 
N 77˚43'44" E 
2041.61 M. 
27-28 
S 75˚42'35" E 
2046.5 M. 
28-29 
S 38˚27'26" E 
1290.97 M. 
29-30 
S 00˚40'19" W 
2255.73 M. 
30-31 
S 70˚12'04" E 
1581.79 M. 
31-32 
S 42˚48'30" E 
825.6 M. 
32-33 
N 85˚38'35" E 
2228.95 M. 
33-34 
S 45˚58'59" E 
4511.26 M. 
34-35 
S 15˚35'25" W 
1094.73 M. 
35-36 
S 46˚02'30" E 
617.5 M. 
36-37 
S 25˚15'47" W 
1562.3 M. 
37-38 
S 38˚44'11" E 
926.01 M. 
38-39 
S 05˚02'33" E 
1083.7 M. 
39-40 
S 39˚11'54" E 
1054.97 M. 
40-41 
S 28˚06'58" W 
1835.9 M. 
41-42 
S 40˚55'09" E 
810.39 M. 
42-43 
S 80˚48'10" E 
2111.96 M. 
43-44 
S 54˚13'15" E 
2335.11 M. 
44-45 
S 29˚50'45" E 
1488.61 M. 
45-46 
S 01˚29'55" W 
1356.97 M. 
46-47 
S 03˚20'56" E 
1158.96 M. 
47-48 
S 66˚52'31" E 
1559.79 M. 
48-49 
S 58˚23'33" E 
1009.67 M. 
49-50 
S 23˚33'17" E 
1031.79 M. 
50-51 
S 48˚50'23" E 
2310.37 M. 
51-52 
S 73˚07'43" E 
1011.93 M. 
52-53 
S 30˚36'23" E 
654.78 M. 
53-54 
S 54˚17'36" E 
938.41 M. 
54-55 
S 29˚50'45" E 
558.23 M. 
55-56 
S 06˚56'28" E 
919.55 M. 
56-57 
S 51˚17'53" E 
1688.38 M. 
57-58 
S 42˚19'05" E 
1608.72 M. 
58-59 
N 49˚39'30" E 
1035.29 M. 
59-60 
S 68˚36'47" E 
1441.81 M. 
60-61 
N 80˚47'32" E 
1140.6 M. 


61-62 
N 28˚54'45" E 
634.55 M. 
62-63 
N 82˚35'29" E 
1355.53 M. 
63-64 
N 63˚14'45" E 
1075.58 M. 
64-65 
S 66˚19'04" E 
494.04 M. 
65-66 
S 21˚17'11" E 
1311.88 M. 
66-67 
S 07˚50'21" E 
1105.71 M. 
67-68 
S 26˚31'13" E 
896.1 M. 
68-69 
S 38˚13'54" W 
1337.26 M. 
69-70 
S 06˚58'44" E 
1100.72 M. 
70-71 
S 30˚40'01" W 
2133.46 M. 
71-72 
S 03˚26'12" E 
1489.64 M. 
72-73 
S 71˚19'27" W 
2474.58 M. 
73-74 
S 23˚42'49" W 
1236.85 M. 
74-75 
N 71˚00'02" W 
2482.44 M. 
75-76 
S 65˚29'10" W 
2214.04 M. 
76-77 
S 07˚07'09" E 
1913.67 M. 
77-78 
S 28˚33'47" W 
1272.77 M. 
78-79 
S 67˚19'28" W 
2093.27 M. 
79-80 
S 42˚44'44" E 
1188.94 M. 
80-81 
S 24˚05'43" W 
2608.54 M. 
81-82 
N 67˚53'26" W 
1370.8 M. 
82-83 
S 27˚28'28" W 
931.93 M. 
83-84 
S 57˚06'39" W 
1745.57 M. 
84-85 
N 27˚09'54" W 
678.04 M. 
85-86 
S 84˚54'37" W 
1968.33 M. 
86-87 
N 45˚25'17" W 
1526.69 M. 
87-88 
N 05˚18'12" W 
1889.28 M. 
88-89 
N 45˚00'00" W 
1448.07 M. 
89-90 
N 12˚29'17" W 
1211.35 M. 
90-91 
N 57˚33'48" W 
1006.31 M. 
91-92 
N 19˚32'47" E 
1423.47 M. 
92-93 
N 31˚19'17" W 
2228.48 M. 
93-94 
N 85˚40'18" W 
3102.27 M. 
94-95 
S 78˚48'00" W 
1037.53 M. 
95-96 
N 66˚50'28" W 
1746.35 M. 
96-97 
S 51˚41'13" W 
2272.94 M. 
97-98 
N 71˚04'31" W 
1713.18 M. 
98-1 
S 60˚25'33" W 
1266.05 M. 
 
SEC. 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. – The DENR Secretary, upon the 
recommendation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) created under 
Section 7 of this Act, may designate areas surrounding the PCPL as buffer zones for the 


purpose of providing an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: 
Provided, That, in cases where the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, 
the owners thereof shall be required to design their development with due consideration 
to the protected area management plan. 
ARTICLE II 
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS 
 
SEC. 7. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) – Within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be 
created to oversee the management of the PCPL. The PAMB shall be composed of the 
following: 
a. DENR Regional Executive Director for Region III, as Chairperson; 
b. The three (3) Provincial Governors representing Nueva Ecija, Nueva 
Vizcaya, and Aurora, as members; 
c. Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents 
of the Province of Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurora, or their duly 
designated representatives, unless the Senators decline the membership in the 
PAMB; 
d. District Representatives of the Congressional Districts where the PCPL is 
located, or their duly designated representatives, unless the District 
Representatives decline the membership in the PAMB; 
e. Mayors of the Municipalities of Pantabangan, Carranglan, and Bongabon in 
the Province of Nueva Ecija; Municipalities of Alfonso Castañeda and Aritao 
in the Province of Nueva Vizcaya; and Municipality of Maria Aurora in the 
Province of Aurora, or their duly authorized representatives; 
f. Chairpersons of the all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the 
PCPL; 
g. Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: 
Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 
Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of National Defense 
(DND); 


h. Three (3) representatives from either NGOs, or people’s organizations (POs) 
based in the Province of Nueva Ecija, duly accredited both by the DENR and 
the provincial government. The NGOs or POs represented should have been 
in existence for at least five (5) years and must have a record of 
accomplishments in the field of protected area management; 
i. At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the 
ICCs/IPs present in the area and recognized by the National Commission on 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); 
j. One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a 
university or college in the Province of Nueva Ecija, with proven track record 
in or related to protected area management; and 
k. One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the 
Province of Nueva Ecija, who is distinguished in a profession or field of 
interest relevant to the protected area management. 
The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their 
removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise 
known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992”, as amended 
by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the “Expanded National Integrated 
Protected Areas System Act of 2018”. 
 
SEC. 8. Functions of the PAMB. – The PAMB shall have the following powers 
and functions: 
a. Oversee the management of the protected area; 
b. Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other related 
documents for the management of the protected areas; 
c. Approve the management plan of the protected area and ensure its harmonization 
with and integration into the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and 
Protection Plan, land use plan and other development plans, public or private, 
and their implementation;  
d. Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures in the conduct of 
business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of reference;  
e. Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for the 


enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the management of the 
protected area; 
f.
Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan and
manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and other funds in
accordance with government accounting, budgeting, and auditing rules and
regulations;
g. Set fees and charges in accordance with existing guidelines;
h. Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and
effective means;
i.
Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government
authorities with respect to the management of the PCPL;
j.
Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent
(PASu) and other protected area personnel and compliance of partners with the
terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract or agreement relative to any
project or activity within the PCPL;
k. Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation or
appointment of the PASu; and
l.
Assess the effectiveness of the management of the protected area: Provided, That
the members of the PAMB representing the LGUs and national agencies shall
inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of PAMB-approved or
other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, and projects and shall
ensure that the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations issued to
implement it are complied with and used as reference and framework in their
respective plans, policies, programs, and projects.  Failure to comply with the
foregoing shall be the basis for disciplinary action against such member
according to administrative rules and regulations and such penalties as the
PAMB may provide: Provided, further, That the DENR, through the Regional
Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and
functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions issued by the PAMB and
the existing administrative orders of national application, the latter shall prevail.
SEC. 9. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). — There is hereby


established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected 
Area Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day to day management, 
protection, and administration of the PCPL.  The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla 
position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support 
staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR 
Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the protected area. 
 
The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the 
management and operations of the PCPL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the 
following duties and responsibilities: 
a. Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, including 
the annual work and financial plan and ensure its implementation; 
b. Ensure the integration of the protected area management plans, programs, 
projects, and policies with relevant national and LGUs’ plans and programs; 
c. Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure the 
availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making; 
d. Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules, regulations, 
and programs; 
e. Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which shall be 
an important basis for decision-making; 
f. Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the protected area, commence 
and institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other 
government agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of offenses 
committed in violation of the provisions this Act; 
g. Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of the 
protected area;  
h. Request for and receive any technical assistance, support or advice from any 
agency or instrumentality of the government as well as academic institutions, 
NGOs, and the private sector, as may be necessary for the effective management, 
protection and administration of the protected area; 
i. Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management plan 
and other permitted activities in accordance with terms, conditions, and criteria 


established by the PAMB: Provided, That all permits for extraction of natural 
resources, including collection of wildlife, and its by-products or derivatives for 
research purposes, shall continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to 
prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the 
specific acts to be covered;  
j. Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for the 
protected area: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other income 
collected and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in 
accordance with existing guidelines; 
k. Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and financial 
plans of the protected area based on the management plan; and 
l. Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign. 
 
The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and natural 
resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR. 
 
ARTICLE III 
PROCEEDS AND FEES 
 
SEC. 10. The Pantabangan-Carranglan Protected Landscape Integrated 
Protected Area Fund. – There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the 
Pantabangan-Carranglan Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (PCPL-
IPAF) for purposes of financing projects of the PCPL and the NIPAS. All income 
generated from the operation of the system or the management of wild flora and fauna 
in the PCPL shall accrue to the fund. The income shall be derived from fees from 
permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the TNBA 
proceeds from lease of multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and facilities 
directly benefiting from the PCPL, and such other fees and income derived from the 
operation of the PCPL. 
The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through 
the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained Income 
Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the locality: 
Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for the 


protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the protected area and 
implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining twenty-five 
percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the general fund in 
the National Treasury for purposes of financing the projects of the NIPAS. 
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various 
sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in full  as a 
special account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be made 
solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of the NIPAS 
and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing 
accounting, budgeting, and auditing 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.  
ARTICLE IV 
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 11. 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.  
SEC. 12. Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law. – The provisions of 
Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppletory 
application to this Act. 
SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. − Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with the 
local governments located within the area of the PCPL, and concerned national 
government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. − If any section or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions with the provisions not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. − All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, executive 


orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 16. Effectivity. − This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation 
Approved,