r
iSMfi.-f til n f v
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
24 FEB 14 P5:56
RECEiV:DB
SENATE
S. No. 2549
Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MT. SAWTOOTH, LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
MAYANTOC AND SAN JOSE, PROVINCE OF TARLAC 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 (ENIPAS) ACT OF 2018, PROVIDING FOR ITS 
MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Constitution provides that the State "shall protect and advance 
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm 
and harmony of nature." The Constitution mandates the Congress to determine 
national parks, which shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished, 
except by law.
In compliance therewith, the National Integrated Protected Areas System 
(NIPAS) was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 7586, as amended by RA 
No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018". The NIPAS shall 
encompass ecologically rich, unique and biologically important areas that are habitats 
of threatened species of plants and animals, biogeographic zones and related 
ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine, all of which shall be designated 
as 'protected areas.


To date, as of January 2024, there are already 114 protected areas in the 
Philippines that have been declared through legislation. Based on the records and 
various suitability assessments by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), there are numerous 
sites/areas in the country that have yet to be given 'protected area' status, by 
legislative action, in order to ensure its conservation.
One of the said area is the proposed Mt. Sawtooth Protected Landscape (MSPL) 
with a contiguous area of Ten Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-Seven and 96/100 
(10,967.96) hectares, covering the Municipalities of Mayantoc and San Jose, all within 
the province of Tarlac. Based on the Board Resolution No. 001 S 2021 of the Interim 
Protected Area Management Board For Mount Sawtooth of Tarlac City, Tarlac Mount 
Sawtooth, is in danger of destruction and human exploitation. In order to mitigate 
any perceived adverse event in the area, government intervention in the proposed site 
is essential especially in the provision of funds for the programs and projects related 
to its protection, management, maintenance, and preservation.
Henceforth, this bill seeks to declare the Mt. Sawtooth Protected Landscape as 
protected area as the last frontier of Tarlac in terms of its biodiversity pursuant to 
Republic Act 11038 otherwise known as the "Expanded National Integrated Protected 
Areas System Act of 2018".
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VfLLAR-


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
uf i- c ''
24 FEB 14 P5 56
SENATE
S. No. 2549
RECEIVED B-;
Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MT. SAWTOOTH, LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF 
MAYANTOC AND SAN JOSE, PROVINCE OF TARLAC 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 (ENIPAS) 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. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Mt. Sawtooth Protected 
Landscape (MSPL) Act of 2024."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Cognizant of the profound impact of human 
activity 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.
9 
In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and fauna,
10 
that are native and distinct to the Aurora Memorial National Park, as well as their
11 
aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the Municipalities of


1 
Mayantoc and San Jose, in the Province of Tarlac is hereby declared a protected area
2 
under the category of protected landscape and shall hereinafter be referred to as the
3 
Mt. Sawtooth Protected Landscape (MSPL). As such, the State shall ensure the
4 
conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation of the MSPL. It is likewise
5 
recognized that effective administration of this area is possible only through
6 
cooperation among the national government, local government units (LCDs),
7 
concerned non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private entities and local
8 
communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the
9 
principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.
10 
Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the
11 
mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the
12 
full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and the
13 
integrity of the ecosystems, and cultural and indigenous practices.
14 
Sec. 3. Classification as a National Park. — The MSPL is comprised of a parcel
15 
of land of the public domain located in the Municipalities of Mayantoc and San Jose,
16 
in the Province of Tarlac, the metes and bounds of which are described in Section 4
17 
of this Act. All Lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of the MSPL
18 
shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for in Article XII, Section
19 
3 of the Constitution.
20 
Sec. 4. Scope and Coverage. — The Mt. Sawtooth Protected Landscape,
21 
including its buffer zones, as weli as its technical description shall be subject to actual
22 
ground survey and demarcation, as fully determined by the Department of
23 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region III.
24 
Beginning at a point marked "1" on the map being S78°5r05"W, 13,763.24
25 
meters from PRS Control Monument TRC-82 with geographic coordinates of
26 
15035'22.59763" Latitude and 120o20'22.53348" Longitude located in Barangay
27 
Maniniog, Municipality of Mayantoc, Province of Tarlac:
28 
thence 
S 56o50T6" E 
967.16 
meters to corner 
2 
;
29 
thence 
S 32°13,45" E 
315.13 
meters to corner 
3 
;
30 
thence 
S 07°16,50" E 
313.65 
meters to corner 
4 
;


1
thence
S 56°09,05" E
468.39
meters to corner
5
/
2
thence
S 13°18,50" E
170.35
meters to corner
6
f
3
thence
N 84°53,31" E
307.97
meters to corner
7
t
4
thence
S 81055,59" E
323.68
meters to corner
8
/
5
thence
S 27°49,57" W
582.01
meters to corner
9
/
6
thence
S 45°47'41" W
252.52
meters to corner
10
/
7
thence
S 54011,56" W
155.19
meters to corner
11
r
8
thence
S 12029'H" E
178.73
meters to corner
12
/
9
thence
S 17°23,31" W
198.88
meters to corner
13
/
10
thence
S 50°14,24" E
284.01
meters to corner
14
t
11
thence
S 61o44,20" W
255.87
meters to corner
15
/
12
thence
S 23o08'14" W
279.28
meters to corner
16
f
13
thence
S 35°55,16" E
376.55
meters to corner
17
!
14
thence
S 81°45,40" E
276.75
meters to corner
18
t
15
thence
S 41°46,38" E
477.66
meters to corner
19
/
16
thence
S 11024'46" E
189.7
meters to corner
20
/
17
thence
S 27048,iri W
532.92
meters to corner
21
!
18
thence
S 68°20,42" W
165.7
meters to corner
22
1
19
thence
S 28041,32" W
182
meters to corner
23
/
20
thence
N 83051,21M W
506.96
meters to corner
24
t
21
thence
S 84052,11" W
201.24
meters to corner
25
t
22
thence
S 18°40,05M W
120.82
meters to corner
26
/
23
thence
S 47°15'24" E
393.34
meters to corner
27
/
24
thence
S 35°52,49" E
136.47
meters to corner
28
1
25
thence
S 17046'15" E
311.65
meters to corner
29
f
26
thence
S 26°06,22" W
139.18
meters to corner
30
/
27
thence
S 56°59,36" W
388.55
meters to corner
31
f
28
thence
N 83°24,24" W
137.3
meters to corner
32
t
29
thence
N 24°03,54" W
350.52
meters to corner
33
t
30
thence
S 58°09,07" W
329.34
meters to corner
34
/
31
thence
S 32°ir06" E
363.07
meters to corner
35
t


1
thence
S 64°11,43" E
285.92
meters to corner
36
r
2
thence
N 75o15'07" E
245.01
meters to corner
37
f
3
thence
S 30o32,27" E
51.51
meters to corner
38
!
4
thence
S 49°09,46" W
309.74
meters to corner
39
/
5
thence
S 70o46,21M W
481.39
meters to corner
40
t
6
thence
S 20°22,45" E
220.08
meters to corner
41
f
7
thence
N 73047'24" E
513.41
meters to corner
42
f
8
thence
N 84°ir05" E
232.6
meters to corner
43
f
9
thence
S 02o17'10" W
864.92
meters to corner
44
r
10
thence
S 45°52,25" W
1336.43
meters to corner
45
t
11
thence
S 10°38,47" E
570.81
meters to corner
46
/
12
thence
S 53°02,33" W
514.8
meters to corner
47
t
13
thence
S 21°07,06" E
862.91
meters to corner
48
/
14
thence
S 11°45,13" W
533.54
meters to corner
49
/
15
thence
S 87048,21" E
420.2
meters to corner
50
t
16
thence
S 53o46l50" E
512.34
meters to corner
51
r
17
thence
S 07o26,51" W
303.73
meters to corner
52
/
18
thence
S 23o00,53" E
498.67
meters to corner
53
r
19
thence
S 32°18,38" W
808.94
meters to corner
54
t
20
thence
S 29°13,39" E
531.27
meters to corner
55
/
21
thence
S 24045'37" W
546.66
meters to corner
56
/
22
thence
S 00o12'42" W
729.42
meters to corner
57
r
23
thence
S 18°40,23" E
692.5
meters to corner
58
t
24
thence
S 02o26,57" W
545.07
meters to corner
59
/
25
thence
S 73°34,05" E
874.55
meters to corner
60
/
26
thence
S 26o43'04" E
859.02
meters to corner
61
!
27
thence
S 30o52,24" W
947.68
meters to corner
62
r
28
thence
S 58058,55" E
388.16
meters to corner
63
t
29
thence
N 44o09'04" E
442.45
meters to corner
64
r
30
thence
N 65°08,39" E
310.77
meters to corner
65
/
31
thence
S 84o43'04" E
1674.16
meters to corner
66
/


1
thence
S 16°53,03" E
3323.64
meters to corner
67
2
thence
S 09o31,54" E
1404.72
meters to corner
68
3
thence
S 87°12,07" W
5478.82
meters to corner
69
4
thence
N 15°35,40" W
689.11
meters to corner
70
5
thence
N 14023'56" E
838.19
meters to corner
71
6
thence
N 07°27,23" W
381.92
meters to corner
72
7
thence
N 15°36,08" E
563.83
meters to corner
73
8
thence
S 53°42,34" W
1650.05
meters to corner
74
9
thence
N 71°47,43" W
5651.53
meters to corner
75
10
thence
N 01o35,44" W
3759.5
meters to corner
76
11
thence
N 07°48'33" E
2540.5
meters to corner
77
12
thence
N 29°08,44" E
4579.25
meters to corner
78
13
thence
N 27°30,23" E
4865.06
meters to corner
79
14
thence
N 24°08,04" E
4398.23
meters to corner
1
15 
the point of beginning, containing an area of TWELVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED
16 
SEVENTY SIX (12,676) HECTARES, more or less. Bearings and distances of lines were
17 
derived using the PRS 1992 Philippines Zone III coordinate system, subject to ground
18 
delineation and demarcation.
19 
The DENR shall likewise appropriately mark on the ground the technical
20 
description of Mt. Sawtooth with clearly visible markers and shall prepare appropriate
21 
maps therefore.
22 
All lands comprising the MSPL shall fall under the classification of National Park
23 
as provided for in the Philippine Constitution, subject to prior right.
24 
Sec. 5. Buffer Zones.DENR Secretary, upon the recommendation of the
25 
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) created under Sec. 6 of this Act, may
26 
designate areas surrounding the MSPL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing
27 
extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases
28 
where the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall
29 
be required to design their development with due consideration to the Protected Area
30 
Management Plan.


ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
3 
Sec. 6. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). — Within ninety (90) days
4 
from the effectivity of this Act, a PAMB shall be created to oversee the management
5 
of the MSPL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
a) Regional Executive Director of DENR Region III where the MSPL is located, 
as Chairperson;
b) Governor of the Province of Tarlac where the MSPL is located or a duly 
designated representative;
c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents 
of the Province of Tarlac where the MSPL is located, or a duly authorized 
representative, unless the Senators decline membership in the PAMB;
d) District Representatives of the Congressional districts where the MSPL is 
located, or their duly designated representatives, unless the District 
Representatives decline membership in the PAMB;
e) Mayors of the municipalities of Mayantoc, and San Jose, in the Province of 
Tarlac where the MSPL is located, or their duly designated representative/s;
f) Chairperson of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the MSPL;
g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: the 
Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the 
Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of National Defense 
(DND), and the Department of Tourism (DOT);
h) Three (3) representatives from either NGOs or peoples' organizations (POs) 
based in the Province of Tarlac, duly accredited by both the DENR and the 
provincial government. The NGOs or POs represented should have been in


1 
existence for at least five (5) years and with track record in or related to
2 
protected area management;
3 
i) At least one (1), but not more than three (3), representatives from all the
4 
indigenous peoples (IPs)/indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) present in
5 
the area and recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
6 
(NCIP);
7 
j) One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a
8 
university or college in the Province of Tarlac where the MSPL is located,
9 
with proven track record in or related to the protected area management;
10 
and
11 
k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the
12 
Province of Tarlac where the MSPL is located, who is distinguished in a
13 
profession or field of interest relevant to the protected area management.
14 
The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their
15 
removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of RA No. 7586, otherwise known
16 
as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act Of 1992", as amended
17 
by RA No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National Integrated Protected
18 
Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018".
19 
Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. — The PAMB shall have the following
20 
powers and functions:
21
22
23
24
25
26 
27
a) Oversee the management of the MSPL;
b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other 
related documents for the management of the MSPL;
c) Approve the management plan of the MSPL and ensure its harmonization 
with and integration with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development 
and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), land use plan and other development plan, 
public or private, and its implementation;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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 MSPL;
f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan 
and manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account (PA-RIA) and 
other funds in accordance with the accounting and budgeting rules and 
regulations;
g) Set fees and charges in accordance with the 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 governing 
authorities with respect to management of the MSPL;
j) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent 
(PASu) and other MSPL personnel and compliance of partners with the 
terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract or agreement relative to 
any project or activity within the MSPL;
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 MSPL: 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 its 
implementing rules and regulations are complied with, and used as 
reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, programs, and
8


1 
projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be the basis for
2 
disciplinary action against such member according to administrative rules
3 
and regulations and such penalties as the PAMB may provide: Provided,
4 
further, that the DENR, through the Regional Executive Director, shall
5 
ensure that the PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and functions, in
6 
case of conflict between the resolutions issued by the PAMB and the existing
7 
administrative orders of national application, the latter shall prevail.
8 
Sec. 8. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). — There is hereby
9 
established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a PASu with
10 
a permanent plantilla position who shall supervise the day-to-day management,
11 
protection, and administration of the MSPL. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla
12 
position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support
13 
staff with permanent plantilla position shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary to
14 
assist the PASu in the management of the protected area.
15 
The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the
16 
management and operations of the MSPL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the
17 
following duties and responsibilities:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
a) Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, 
including the annual work and financial plans 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;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21
22
23
24
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 this Act;
g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities 
of the MSPL;
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 MSPL;
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 activities, including collection for research purposes, shall also 
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/or receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income 
for the MSPL: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other 
income collected/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 MSPL based on the management plan; and
l) Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.
25 
The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and natural
26 
resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR.
27
28
ARTICLE III 
PROCEEDS AND FEES
10


1 
Sec. 9. The Mt Sawtooth Protected Landscape - Integrated Protected Area
2 
Fund (MSPL-IPAF). — There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Mt.
3 
Sawtooth Protected Landscape - Integrated Protected Area Fund (MSPL-IPAF) for
4 
purposes of financing projects of the MSPL and the NIPAS. All income generated from
5 
the operation and management of MSPL Shall accrue to the MSPL-IPAF. The income
6 
shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of resources and facilities of the
7 
MSPL; contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the MSPL;
8 
and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the MSPL.
9 
The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised
10 
through the above means, which shall be deposited in the Protected Area-Retained
11 
Income Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the
12 
locality: Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for the
13 
protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the MSPL and
14 
implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB.
15 
The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a
16 
special account in the General Fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing
17 
the projects of the NIPAS.
18 
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments from
19 
various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in full
20 
as a special account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be
21 
made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of the
22 
NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing
23 
accounting, budgeting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the
24 
fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.
25 
The LCDs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated
26 
herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, property tax
27 
and rentals of LCDs' facilities.
28
29
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
11


1 
Sec. 10. Appropriations. — The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include
2 
in the DENR's program the implementation of Mt. Sawtooth Protected Landscape
3 
(MSPL) Act, the funding at which shall be included in the annual General
4 
Appropriations Act.
5 
Sec. 11. Suppietory Application of the NIPAS Law. — The provisions of RA No.
6 
7586, as amended by RA No. 11038, shall have suppietory application to this Act.
7 
Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within ninety (90) days
8 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR, in consultation with the
9 
local governments of the Municipalities of Mayantoc, and San Jose, the Provincial
10 
Government of Tarlac, and concerned national government agencies, issue the
11 
corresponding rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
12 
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act is declared
13 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby
14 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
15 
Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
16 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent
17 
with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
18 
Sec. 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
19 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
12