FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
Third Regular Session 
} 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 3267: 
(In substitution of SBN 2144, taking into consideration HBN 4830) 
Prepared jointly by the Committees on Environment and Natural Resources; and 
Finance with Senators Cayetano (P.), Escudero and Drilon as authors 
ANACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PASONANCA WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE IN THE CITY OF 
ZAMBOANGA AS A PROTECTED AREA UNDER THE CATEGORY OF NATURAL PARK, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pasonanca Natural Park 
2 
Act of 2012", 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Considering the diversity of the unique biological 
4 
resources of the City of Zamboanga and its aesthetic, educational, sociocultural, 
5 
economic and ecological importance, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
6 
ensure its protection and conservation including the local communities therein and 
7 
their cultural and way of life insofar as they are in harmony with nature. 
8 
In so doing, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the 
9 
mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the 
10 
full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and the 
11 
integrity of the ecosystems, culture and religious practices. 
12 
All lands comprising the Pasonanca Natural Park shall fall under the 
13 
classification of National Park as provided for in the Philippine Constitution. 


-2-
1 
SEC. 3, Scope and Coverage. - The boundaries of the Pasonanca Natural Park, 
2 
which falls under the category of Natural Park as defined herein, within the City of 
3 
Zamboanga, are as follows: 
4 
Corner 
Bearing 
Distance (meters) 
5 
1 
N 36°44'00" W 
670.00 
6 
2 
N 36°44'00" W 
233.86 
7 
3 
N 36°44'00" W 
272.74 
8 
4 
N 36°04'00" W 
1774.66 
9 
5 
N 36°04'00" W 
1074.66 
10 
6 
N 74°15'00" W 
1000.00 
11 
7 
N 14°45'00" W 
338.34 
12 
8 
N 38°00'00" W 
1920.00 
13 
9 
N 61°00'00" W 
460.00 
14 
10 
N 22°00'00" W 
300.00 
15 
11 
N 13°00'00" W 
180.00 
16 
12 
N 14°00'00" E 
280.00 
17 
13 
N 50°00'00" E 
220.00 
18 
14 
N 63°00'00" E 
240.00 
19 
15 
N 80°00'00" E 
220.00 
20 
16 
N 17°00'00" W 
220.00 
21 
17 
N 53°00'00" W 
290,00 
22 
18 
N 27°00'00" W 
260.00 
23 
19 
N 11 °00'00" E 
220.00 
24 
20 
N 49°00'00" E 
240.00 


-3-
1 
21 
N 25°00'00" E 
280.00 
2 
22 
N 08°00'00" W 
260.00 
3 
23 
N 22°00'00" E 
680.00 
4 
24 
N 17°00'00" W 
24.00 
5 
25 
N 36°00'00" E 
210.00 
6 
26 
N 05°00'00" E 
240.00 
7 
27 
N 12°00'00" E 
220.00 
8 
28 
N 40°00'00" W 
140.00 
9 
29 
N 26°00'00" W 
240.00 
10 
30 
N 54°00'00" W 
290.00 
11 
31 
N 02°00'00" W 
260.00 
12 
32 
N IPOO'OO" E 
300.00 
13 
33 
N 12°00'00" W 
360.00 
14 
34 
N 20°00'00" W 
360.00 
15 
35 
N 30°00'00" W 
420.00 
16 
36 
N 29°00'00" W 
1050.00 
17 
37 
N 63°00'00" E 
1870.00 
18 
38 
N 00°00'00" E 
50.00 
19 
39 
N 62°00'00" E 
200.00 
20 
40 
N 56°00'00" E 
180.00 
21 
41 
N 39°00'00" E 
140.00 
22 
42 
N 32°00'00" E 
240.00 
23 
43 
N 10°00'00" E 
230.00 
24 
44 
N 72°00'00" E 
160.00 


-4-
1 
45 
N 70°00'00" E 
280.00 
2 
46 
N 09°14'00" E 
2269.30 
3 
47 
N 06°02'00" E 
2567.50 
4 
48 
N 15°37'00" W 
2089.80 
5 
49 
N 89°35'00" E 
3119.80 
6 
50 
N 44°06'00" E 
2048.80 
7 
51 
S 43°07'00" E 
346.10 
8 
52 
S 23°49'00" E 
566.40 
9 
53 
S 44°43'00" E 
273.30 
10 
54 
S 07°30'00" E 
933.20 
11 
55 
S 06°34'00" W 
227.30 
12 
56 
S 06°32'00" W 
258.80 
13 
57 
S 01 °07'00" W 
398.40 
14 
58 
S 01°14'00" E 
335.80 
15 
59 
S 40°13'00" E 
332.50 
16 
60 
S 37°47'00" E 
241.40 
17 
61 
S 44°15'00" E 
242.40 
18 
62 
S 44°15'00" E 
242.40 
19 
63 
S 44°15'00" E 
242.40 
20 
64 
S 43°17'00" E 
282.30 
21 
65 
S 44°15'00" E 
242.40 
22 
66 
S 45°58'00" E 
202.50 
23 
67 
S 65°51'00" E 
67.40 
24 
68 
S 44°50'00" E 
232.30 


-5-
1 
69 
S 41 °16'00" E 
259.30 
2 
70 
S 42°56'00" E 
199.10 
3 
71 
S 41 °16'00" E 
259.20 
4 
72 
S 41°16'00" E 
259.20 
5 
73 
S 23°41'00" E 
374.10 
6 
74 
S 00°04'00" E 
288.40 
7 
75 
S 00°24'00" E 
235.90 
8 
76 
S 00°18'00" W 
351.40 
9 
77 
S 08°12'00" W 
317.60 
10 
78 
S 41°29'00" W 
324.70 
11 
79 
S 57°34'00" W 
357.60 
12 
80 
S 83°29'00" W 
256.50 
13 
81 
S 25°32'00" W 
357.00 
14 
82 
S 23°15'00" W 
188.40 
15 
83 
S 34°43'00" W 
229.60 
16 
84 
S 31 °39'00" W 
329.80 
17 
85 
S 38°26'00" W 
272.30 
18 
86 
S 44°47'00" W 
314.10 
19 
87 
S 44°47'00" W 
314.10 
20 
88 
S 11°33'00" W 
243.00 
21 
89 
S 19°25'00" W 
241.80 
22 
90 
S 06°03'00" W 
632.00 
23 
91 
S 53°20'00" W 
2308.20 
24 
92 
S 58°29'00" E 
788.60 


.' 
;-
-6-
1 
93 
S 74°28'00" E 
815.20 
2 
94 
S 12°58'00" E 
1268.50 
3 
95 
S 38°39'00" W 
752.10 
4 
96 
S 00°20'00" E 
1509.50 
5 
97 
S 02°00'00" E 
880.00 
6 
98 
S 48°15'00" W 
230.00 
7 
99 
S 43°20'00" E 
50.00 
8 
100 
S 50°15'00" W 
970.00 
9 
101 
S 31°30'00" W 
240.00 
10 
102 
S 02°45'00" E 
250.00 
11 
103 
S 72°05'00" E 
380.00 
12 
104 
S 15°00'00" E 
850.00 
13 
105 
N 16°00'00" W 
250.00 
14 
106 
N 35°20'00" W 
170.00 
15 
107 
N 12°15'00" W 
260.00 
16 
108 
N 56°45'00" W 
390.00 
17 
109 
N 79°30'00" W 
370.00 
18 
110 
S 19°45'00" W 
345.00 
19 
111 
S 24°30'00" W 
270.00 
20 
112 
S 04°30'00" W 
350.00 
21 
113 
S 04°30'00" W 
360.00 
22 
114 
S 04°30'00" E 
235.00 
23 
115 
S 19°00'00" E 
425.00 
24 
116 
S 00°00'00" W 
140.00 


1 
2 
117 
118 
-7-
S 23°45'00" W 
S 09°21'57" W 
1150.00 
1695.37 
3 
the point of beginning containing an area of twelve thousand and 79/100 (12,000.79) 
4 
hectares. 
5 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall 
6 
appropriately mark on the ground the technical descriptions provided in this Act with 
7 
clearly visible markers and shall prepare appropriate maps therefor. Any modification 
8 
of the coverage of this Act due to such factors as changing ecological situations, new 
9 
scientific or archeological findings, or discovery of traditional boundaries not previously 
10 
taken into account shall be made through an act of Congress, after consultation with the 
11 
affected public and concerned government agencies. 
12 
SEC. 4. Buffer Zones. - Buffer zones surrounding the Pasonanca Natural Park are 
13 
hereby established with the following boundaries: 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
Corner 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Buffer Zone 1 
Bearing 
N 69°23'00" W 
S 76°25'00" W 
N 49°35'00" W 
S 69°36'00" W 
S 21 °53'00" E 
S 62°56'00" W 
S 07°09'00" E 
N 75°17'00" W 
S 43°18'00" W 
Distance (meters) 
670.00 
233.86 
272.74 
1774.66 
1074.66 
1000.00 
338.34 
1920.00 
460.00 


------------
-8-
1 
11 
S 20°06'00" E 
300.00 
2 
12 
S 82°15'00" W 
180.00 
3 
13 
S 61°05'00" W 
280.00 
4 
14 
N 41°53'00" W 
220.00 
5 
15 
S 34°05'00" W 
240.00 
6 
16 
N 59°31'00" W 
220.00 
7 
17 
N 23°19'00" E 
220.00 
8 
18 
N 75°35'00" W 
290.00 
9 
19 
N 04°05'00" W 
260.00 
10 
20 
N 28°08'00" E 
220.00 
11 
21 
N 49°35'00" W 
240.00 
12 
22 
N 06°07'00" W 
280.00 
13 
23 
N 47"05'00" E 
260.00 
14 
24 
S 89°34'00" E 
680.00 
15 
25 
N 23°19'00" E 
24.00 
16 
26 
N 58°32'00" W 
210.00 
17 
27 
N 68°40'00" E 
240.00 
18 
28 
N 07°45'00" E 
220.00 
19 
29 
S 65°59'00" W 
140.00 
20 
30 
N 32°52'00" W 
240.00 
21 
31 
N 57°10'00" E 
290.00 
22 
32 
N 06°06'00" E 
260.00 
23 
33 
N 74°36'00" W 
300,,00 
24 
34 
N 18°26'00" E 
360.00 


-9-
1 
35 
N 56°47'00" W 
360.00 
2 
36 
N 85°52'00" E 
420.00 
3 
37 
N 02°14'00" E 
1050.00 
4 
38 
N 50°24'00" E 
1870.00 
5 
39 
N 81 °45'00" E 
50.00 
6 
40 
N 42°05'00" E 
200.00 
7 
41 
S 87°11'00" E 
180.00 
8 
42 
S 22°00'00" W 
140.00 
9 
43 
S 08°00'00" E 
240.00 
10 
44 
S 25°00'00" W 
230.00 
11 
45 
N 23°49'00" W 
566.40 
12 
46 
N 37°07'00" E 
346.10 
13 
47 
S 27°00'00" E 
2269.30 
14 
48 
S 53°00'00" E 
2567.50 
15 
49 
S 17°00'00" E 
2089.80 
16 
50 
S 80°00'00" W 
3119.80 
17 
51 
S 63°00'00" W 
2048.80 
18 
52 
S 50°00'00" W 
346.10 
19 
53 
S 14°00'00" W 
566.40 
20 
54 
S 13°00'00" E 
273.30 
21 
55 
S 22°00'00" E 
933.20 
22 
56 
S 61"00'00" E 
227.30 
23 
57 
S 38°00'00" E 
1920.00 


-10 -
1 
the point of beginning containing an area of six hundred eighty-two and 58/100 
2 
(682.58) hectares. 
3 
Buffer Zone 2 
4 
Corner 
Bearing 
Distance (meters) 
5 
2 
N 00°20'00" W 
1509.50 
6 
3 
N 38°39'00" E 
752.10 
7 
4 
N 12°58'00" W 
1268.50 
8 
5 
N 74°28'00" W 
815.20 
9 
6 
N 58°29'00" W 
788.60 
10 
7 
N 53°20'00" E 
2308.20 
11 
8 
N 06°03'00" E 
632.00 
12 
9 
N 19°25'00" E 
241.80 
13 
10 
N 11°33'00" E 
243.00 
14 
11 
N 44°47'00" E 
314.10 
15 
12 
N 44°47'00" E 
314.10 
16 
13 
N 38°26'00" E 
272.30 
17 
14 
N 31°39'00" E 
324.80 
18 
15 
N 34°43'00" E 
229.60 
19 
16 
N 23°15'00" E 
188.40 
20 
17 
N 25°32'00" E 
357.00 
21 
18 
N 83°29'00" E 
256.50 
22 
19 
N 57°34'00" E 
357.60 
23 
20 
N 41°29'00" E 
324.70 
24 
21 
N 08°12'00" E 
317.60 


-11-
1 
22 
N 00°18'00" E 
351.40 
2 
23 
N 00°24'00" W 
235.90 
3 
24 
N 00°24'00" W 
288.40 
4 
25 
N 23°41'00" W 
374.10 
5 
26 
N41°16'00"W 
259.20 
6 
27 
N 41°16'00" W 
259.20 
7 
28 
N 42°56'00" W 
199.10 
8 
29 
N41°16'00"W 
259.30 
9 
30 
N 44°50'00" W 
232.30 
10 
31 
N 65°51'00" W 
67.40 
11 
32 
N 45°58'00" W 
202.50 
12 
33 
N 44°15'00" W 
242.40 
13 
34 
N 43°17'00" W 
282.30 
14 
35 
N 44°15'00" W 
242.40 
15 
36 
N 44°15'00" W 
242.40 
16 
37 
N 44°15'00" W 
242.40 
17 
38 
N 37°47'00" W 
241.40 
18 
39 
N 40°13'00" W 
332.50 
19 
40 
N 01°14'00" W 
335.80 
20 
41 
N 01°07'00" E 
398.40 
21 
42 
N 06°32'00" E 
258.80 
22 
43 
N 06°34'00" E 
227.30 
23 
44 
N 07°30'00" W 
933.20 
24 
45 
N 44°43'00" W 
273.30 


-12 -
1 
46 
N 43°07'00" W 
346.10 
2 
47 
N 23°49'00" W 
566.40 
3 
48 
N 44°05'00" E 
2310.00 
4 
49 
S 50°35'00" E 
2220.00 
5 
50 
S 17°00'00" E 
680.00 
6 
51 
S 52°50'00" W 
640.00 
7 
52 
S 19°32'00" E 
960.00 
8 
53 
S 40°05'00" W 
568.00 
9 
54 
SW direction 
1380.00 
10 
55 
S.W. & SE directions 
12409.02 
11 
56 
S 50°20'06" W 
3171.210 
12 
57 
S 07°50'00" W 
980.00 
13 
58 
S 60°00'00" W 
400.00 
14 
59 
S 15°00'00" E 
600.00 
15 
60 
S 26°00'00" E 
890.00 
16 
61 
S 35°00'00" E 
500.00 
17 
62 
S 21°00'00" W 
340.00 
18 
63 
S 80°00'00" W 
260.00 
19 
64 
S 75°00'00" W 
210.00 
20 
65 
S 73°25'00" W 
180.00 
21 
66 
S 55°00'00" W 
118.00 
22 
67 
S 85°30'00" W 
194.00 
23 
68 
S 29°00'00" W 
405.00 
24 
69 
S 64°30'00" W 
360.00 


-------------------
-13 -
1 
70 
S 21°00'00" W 
550.00 
2 
71 
S IPOO'OO" E 
220.00 
3 
72 
S 56°15'00" E 
380.00 
4 
73 
S 05°30'00" W 
400.00 
5 
74 
N 88°00'00" W 
460.00 
6 
75 
N 86°00'00" W 
290.00 
7 
76 
N 18°00'00" W 
368.00 
8 
77 
N 67°00'00" W 
230.00 
9 
78 
N 55°00'00" W 
200.00 
10 
79 
S 86°10'00" W 
264.00 
11 
the point of beginning containing an area of four thousand one hundred ninety-nine and 
12 
58/100 (4,199.58) hectares. 
13 
SEC. 5. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
14 
defined as follows: 
15 
(a) 
"Biodiversity" refers to the variety and variability among living organisms 
16 
and the ecological complexes in which said organisms occur. 
17 
(b) 
"Biological resources" includes genetic resources, organisms or parts 
18 
thereof, population, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or 
19 
potential use or value for humanity. 
20 
(c) 
"Bioprospecting" refers to the research, collection and utilization of 
21 
biological and genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived 
22 
therefrom solely for commercial purposes. 


-14-
1 
(d) 
"Buffer Zones" refer to the identified areas outside the boundaries of and 
2 
immediately adjacent to the Pasonanca Natural Park that need special development 
3 
control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area. 
4 
(e) 
"Collection" or "Collecting" refers to the act of gathering or harvesting 
5 
wildlife, its by-products or derivatives. 
6 
(f) 
"Conservation" refers to the sustainable utilization of wildlife, and/or 
7 
maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the habitat. 
8 
(g) 
"Consultation" refers to the meeting or dialogue with concerned or affected 
9 
individual and groups within and outside the Pasonanca Natural Park designated to 
10 
identify and resolve issues and problems affecting them in relation to the protection, 
11 
conservation and sustainable development of the Pasonanca Natural Park. 
12 
(h) 
"Ecosystem" refers to the dynamic complex of plant, animal and 
13 
micro-organism communities and their non-liVing environment interacting as a 
14 
functional unit. 
15 
(i) 
"Endangered Species" refer to the species or subspecies that is not critically 
16 
endangered but whose survival in the wild is unlikely if the causal factors continue 
17 
operating. 
18 
(j) 
"Endemic Species" refer to the species or subspecies of flora and fauna 
19 
which are naturally occurring and found only within specific areas in the country. 
20 
(k) 
"Exotic Species" refer to the species or subspecies of flora and fauna which 
21 
do not naturally occur within the protected area at present or in historical time. 
22 
(1) 
"Exploitation" refers to any mode of use, extraction, development, 
23 
utilization or disposition of resources, for whatever purpose, whether commercial or 
24 
otherwise. 


-15 -
1 
(m) "Exploration" refers to the searching or prospecting for mineral resources, 
2 
as defined by law, by geological, geo-chemical or geophysical surveys, remote sensing, 
3 
rest pitting, trenching, drilling, shaft sinking, tunneling or any other means for the 
4 
purpose of determining the existence, extent, quantity and quality thereof and the 
5 
feasibility of mining them for profit. 
6 
(n) 
"Habitat" refers to the place or type of environment where a species or 
7 
subspecies naturally occurs or has naturally established its population. 
8 
(0) 
"Hunting" refers to the collection of wild fauna for food and/or recreational 
9 
purposes with the use of weapons such as guns, bow and arrow, spear and the like. 
10 
(p) 
"Management Plan"refers to the fundamental plan, strategy and/or scheme 
11 
which shall guide all activities relating to the Pasonanca Natural Park in order to attain 
12 
the objectives of this Act. 
13 
(q) 
"Mineral" refers to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid, gas, 
14 
liquid, or any intermediate state including energy materials such as coal, petroleum, 
15 
natural gas, radioactive materials, and geothermal energy. 
16 
(r) 
"Multiple-Use Zone" refers to the area where settlement, traditional and/or 
17 
sustainable land use, including agriculture, agro-forestry, extraction activities and other 
18 
income generating or livelihood activities, may be allowed to the extent prescribed in 
19 
the management plan. 
20 
(s) 
"National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)" refers to the 
21 
classification and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential 
22 
ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure 
-
23 
sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to 
24 
the greatest extent possible. 


-16-
1 
(t) 
"N/PAS Act" refers to the National Integrated Protected Areas System 
2 
(NIPAS) Act of 1992 or Republic Act No. 7586, and its implementing rules and 
3 
regulations. 
4 
(u) 
"National Park" refers to the land ofthe public domain classified as such in 
5 
the 1987 Constitution which include all areas under the National Integrated Protected 
6 
Areas System (NIPAS) pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 primarily designated for the 
7 
conservation of native plants and animals, their associated habitats and cultural 
8 
diversity. 
9 
(v) 
"Natural Park" refers to a relatively large area not materially altered by 
10 
human activity where extractive resource uses are not allowed and maintained to 
11 
protect outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for 
12 
scientific, educational and recreational use. 
13 
(w) "Nongovernment Organization (NCO)" refers to the agency, institution, 
14 
foundation 
or a group 
of persons whose purpose is 
to 
assist people's 
15 
organizations/associations in various ways including, but not limited to, organizing, 
16 
education, training, research and/or resource accessing. 
17 
(x) 
"People's Organization (PO)" refers to the group of organized migrant 
18 
communities and/or interested indigenous peoples which may be an association, 
19 
cooperative, federation, or other legal entity, established to undertake collective action 
20 
to address community concerns and needs, and mutually share the benefits of the 
21 
endeavor. 
22 
(y) 
"Pasonanca Natural Park Fund" refers to the special trust fund to be 
23 
established for the purpose of financing projects in the Pasonanca Natural Park. 


-17-
1 
(z) 
"Protected Area" refers to the identified portions of land and/or water set 
2 
aside by reasons of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to 
3 
enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation. 
4 
(a a) "Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)" refers to the multi-sectoral 
5 
policy-making body created in accordance with the NIPAS Act of 1992. 
6 
(bb) "Protected Area Superintendent (PASu)" refers to the chief operating DENR 
7 
officer of the protected area. 
8 
(cc) "Quarrying" refers to the process of extracting, removing and disposing 
9 
quarry resources found on or underneath the surface of private or public land. 
10 
(dd) "Strict protection zone" refers to the natural area with high biodiversity 
11 
value which shall be closed to all human activity except for scientific studies and/or 
12 
ceremonial or religious use by the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous 
13 
peoples; may include habitats of threatened species, or degraded areas that have been 
14 
designated for restoration and subsequent protection, even if these areas are still in 
15 
various stages of regeneration. 
16 
(ee) "Tenured migrant" refers to forest occupants who have actually and 
17 
continuously occupied a portion of the protected area for at least five (5) years, and are 
18 
solely dependent therein for subsistence, as of the passage of this Act. A Pasonanca 
19 
Natural Park occupant is understood to be "solely dependent for subsistence" when 
20 
everything indispensable for survival for the household, including food, clothing, shelter 
21 
and health, comes only from the utilization of resources from the protected area. 
22 
(ft) 
"Wildlife" refers to the wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all 
23 
developmental stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or 
24 
propagated. 


-18-
1 
SEC. 6. Management Plan. - There shall be a Management Plan promulgated for 
2 
the Pasonanca Natural Park that shall serve as the basic long-term framework plan in 
3 
the management of the protected area and guide in the preparation of its annual 
4 
operations plan and budget. 
5 
Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Management Plan shall 
6 
have been put into effect following the general management planning strategy provided 
7 
for under the NIPAS Act and according to the procedure herein set forth. It shall contain, 
8 
among others, the following: 
9 
(a) 
The category of the protected area; 
10 
(b) 
Period of applicability of the plan; 
11 
(c) 
Key management issues; 
12 
(d) 
Goals and objectives of management in support of Section 2 hereof; 
13 
(e) 
Site management strategy; 
14 
(f) 
Major management activities such as, but not limited to, enforcement of 
15 
laws, habitat and wildlife management, sustainable-use management, infrastructure 
16 
development and maintenance, and fire and pest control; 
17 
(g) 
Zoning; and 
18 
(h) 
Visitor management programs. 
19 
The preparation of the Management Plan shall be facilitated by the Office of the 
20 
Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) in collaboration with the appropriate offices of 
21 
the department, local communities, indigenous cultural communities/indigenous 
22 
peoples (ICCs/IPs), NGOs, experts and other stakeholders within the Pasonanca Natural 
23 
Park. The Management Plan shall be approved by the majority of the PAMB and 
24 
endorsed to the Secretary through Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB). The 


-19-
1 
Management Plan is deemed accepted unless formal written disapproval from the 
2 
Secretary is received by the PAMB on the ground of inconsistency with existing laws 
3 
and related rules and regulations. 
4 
SEC. 7. Management of the Pasonanca Natural Park. - There is hereby created a 
5 
PAMB which shall have jurisdiction, power and authority over the Pasonanca Natural 
6 
Park for all matters that may affect biodiversity conservation, protection and 
7 
sustainable development. The composition of which shall be in accordance with the 
8 
pertinent provision of the NIPAS Act of 1992: Provided, That at least twenty percent 
9 
(20%) of the PAMB members shall be comprised of women pursuant to Republic Act 
10 
No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and its implementing rules and regulations. 
11 
The representatives from the local government units (LGUs) and national 
12 
agencies in the PAMB shall include among their duties, the duty to inform their 
13 
respective constituents, office or sector, of PAMB-approved or other relevant policies, 
14 
rules, regulations, programs and projects and to ensure that the provisions of this Act, 
15 
the NIPAS Act and its implementing rules and regulations are observed, complied with, 
16 
and used as reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, programs and 
17 
projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall subject such representative to 
18 
diSCiplinary action as the PAMB may provide. 
19 
The members of the PAMB shall not receive any salary but shall be entitled to 
20 
reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses incurred, either in their attendance 
21 
in meetings of the PAMB or in connection with other official business authorized by a 
22 
resolution of the PAMB, subject to existing rules and regulations. 
23 
SEC. 8. P6wers and Functions of the PAMB. - The PAMB of the Pasonanca Natural 
24 
Park, which shall decide by consensus or majority vote of the members present 


- 20-
1 
constituting a quorum of majority of all the members, shall have the following powers 
2 
and functions in addition to those provided under the NIPAS Act of 1992 and its 
3 
implementing rules and regulations: 
4 
(a) 
Issue implementing rules and regulations consistent with the prOVisions of 
5 
this Act if the same is warranted for its effective implementation. 
6 
(b) 
Adopt rules of procedures in the conduct of its business with the power to 
7 
create committees for purposes of technical, manpower and other related assistance; 
8 
9 
(c) 
Approve the management plan and oversee the office of the PASu; 
(d) 
Establish reasonable criteria consistent with the provisions of this Act and 
10 
accordingly set and impose processing and research fees and other charges for the 
11 
issuance of permits, certifications and other papers for activities regulated by this Act or 
12 
the management plan, whose proceeds shall form part of the Pasonanca Natural Park; 
13 
(e) 
Recommend to the DENR for approval the deputization of persons or group 
14 
of persons pursuant to the NIPAS Act and its implementing rules and regulations for the 
15 
effective enforcement of the proviSions of this Act and other laws, rules and regulations 
16 
governing the conduct or management of the Pasonanca Natural Park; 
17 
(I) 
Manage the Pasonanca Natural Park Fund, and other funds for the 
18 
Pasonanca Natural Park, ensure their proper administration and render accounting, all 
19 
subject to existing government auditing rules and regulations; and 
20 
(g) 
Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other 
21 
government authorities. 
22 
The DENR, through the RED, shall ensure that the PAMB acts within the scope of 
23 
its powers and functions. In case of conflict between administrative orders of national 
24 
application issued by the DENR pursuant to the NIPAS Act and the resolutions issued by 


- 21-
1 
the PAMB, the PAMB shall notify the DENR Secretary who shall decide whether to apply 
2 
the rule or withdraw its application in the Pasonanca Natural Park. 
3 
SEC. 9. The Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Office. - There is hereby 
4 
established a PASu Office within the protected area to be in charge of the management, 
5 
protection and administration of the Pasonanca Natural Park. 
The PASu shall be 
6 
supported by the existing personnel of the DENR. The head of office shall be the chief 
7 
operating officer of the Pasonanca Natural Park and shall be directly accountable to the 
8 
PAMB. 
9 
The PASu shall have full responsibility for the protection ofland, water, wildlife 
10 
and other natural physical and biological resources within the Pasonanca Natural Park. 
11 
As such, the PASu shall have the following duties and responsibilities in addition to 
12 
those provided under the NIPAS Act and its implementing rules and regulations: 
13 
(a) 
Establish, operate and maintain a database management system as decision 
14 
support tool; 
15 
16 
(b) 
Prepare the management plans as herein defined; 
(c) 
Provide a secretariat for the PAMB and supply the PAMB with all the 
17 
necessary information to make appropriate decisions for the implementation of this 
18 
Act; 
19 
(d) 
Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the Pasonanca Natural 
20 
Park, institute and file legal action independently or in collaboration with other 
21 
government agencies or organizations and assist in the prosecution of offenses 
22 
committed in violation of this Act; 
23 
(e) 
Monitor all activities within the Pasonanca Natural Park to ensure its 
24 
conformity with the management plan; 


- 22-
1 
(I) 
Recommend the issuance of permits based on terms, conditions and criteria 
2 
established by PAMB; 
3 
(g) 
Ensure the integration of the Pasonanca Natural Park management policies, 
4 
regulations, programs and projects at all the concerned national and local government 
5 
units level; and 
6 
(h) 
Perform such other functions as the PAMB may delegate. 
7 
The PASu shall be supported by a sufficient number of personnel who shall be 
8 
performing day to day management, protection and administration of the Pasonanca 
9 
Natural Park. Upon the recommendation of the PAMB, the DENR Regional Executive 
10 
Director shall deputize local community leaders and environment and natural resources 
11 
officers. 
12 
SEC. 10. Integrated Protected Area Fund of the Pasonanca Natural Park. - The 
13 
Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) shall be established as a special trust fund and 
14 
shall be disbursed solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and 
15 
management of Pasonanca Natural Park and the System. At least seventy-five percent 
16 
(75%) of the funds collected shall form part of Pasonanca Natural Park Sub-fund which 
17 
shall be solely disbursed for its use. The Pasonanca Natural Park Sub-fund shall likewise 
18 
be exempted from being deposited in the National treasury and shall be made readily 
19 
available for disbursement upon proper approval of the PAMB and the DENR, subject to 
20 
the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
21 
The Pasonanca Natural Park Fund may be augmented by grants, donations, 
22 
endowment from various sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their 
23 
functions: Provided, That disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the 
24 
protection, maintenance, administration and management of the system, and duly 


-23 -
1 
approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting and 
2 
budgeting rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the Fund shall not be used to 
3 
cover personal services expenditures. 
4 
The LGUs .shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated 
5 
herein which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits and rentals of 
6 
LGUs facilities: Provided, That the LGUs shall not impose property tax and issue new tax 
7 
declaration for areas covered by the Pasonanca Natural Park. Furthermore, LGUs may 
8 
charge add-ons to fees imposed by the PAMB: Provided, That such add-ons shall be 
9 
based on the contribution of the LGUs in the maintenance and protection of the 
10 
Pasonanca Natural Park. 
11 
SEC. 11. Tenured Migrants and Other Pasonanca Natural Park Stakeholders. -
12 
Tenured migrants shall be eligible to become stewards of portions of lands within 
13 
allowable zones. The PAMB shall identify, verify and review all tenurial instruments, 
14 
land claims, and issuances of permits for resource use within the Pasonanca Natural 
15 
Park and recommend the issuance of the appropriate tenure instrument consistent with 
16 
the zoning provided in the Management Plan. 
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 the transfer of said tenured migrants to mUltiple use zones 
20 
or 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 
22 
surrender of rights, the PASu shall take immediate steps to rehabilitate the area in order 
23 
to return it to its natural state prior to the cultivation or other act by the tenured 
24 
migrant. 


- 24-
1 
Within three (3) months from the passage of this Act, the PASu shall submit to the 
2 
PAMB the complete list of tenured migrants which list shall be final upon approval of 
3 
the PAMB. 
4 
SEC. 12. Existing Facilities Within the Pasonanca Natural Park. - Within sixty (60) 
S 
days from the effectivity of this Act, existing facilities such as roads, buildings, water 
6 
systems, transmission lines, communication facilities, heavy equipment, and irrigation 
7 
facilities existing within the boundaries of the Pasonanca Natural Park shall submit 
8 
project descriptions to the PAMB through the PASu. 
9 
The PAMB, with the assistance of the DENR, shall determine whether the 
10 
existence of such facility and its future plans and operations will be detrimental to the 
11 
Pasonanca Natural Park or whether conditions for its operation shall be imposed. If any 
12 
such conditions are violated, the owner of the facility shall be liable to pay a fine of Five 
13 
thousand pesos (PS,OOO.OO) for every violation. Upon reaching a total fine of Five 
14 
hundred thousand pesos (PSOO,OOO.OO), the PAMB through the PASu and deputizing 
IS 
other government entities, shall cause the cessation and demolition of the facility at the 
16 
cost of its owner. 
17 
Existing facilities allowed to remain within the Pasonanca Natural Park may be 
18 
charged a reasonable royalty by the PAMB. All income from such royalty shall accrue to 
19 
the Pasonanca Natural Park Fund. 
20 
SEC. 13. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources. -
Any exploration and 
21 
exploitation or utilization of nonrenewable resources including mining within the 
22 
Pasonanca Natural Park shall not be allowed. Renewable energy projects within the 
23 
Pasonanca Natural Park shall be permitted only through an act of Congress except 
24 
energy from wind, sun and water sources and not more than three (3) megawatt 


\1 
- 25-
1 
capacity for mini-hydro power: Provided, That these renewable energy projects are 
2 
outside the strict protection zone, adopt reduced impact technologies, and under~o the 
3 
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System as provided by law: Provided, further, 
4 
That the PAMB has endorsed the project. 
5 
SEC. 14. Local Government Units. - The local government units (LGUs) within the 
6 
Pasonanca Natural Park shall participate in its management through representation in 
7 
the PAMB as provided under Section 6 hereof. Said LGUs may appropriate portions of 
8 
their share from the annual internal revenue allotment and other income for use of the 
9 
Pasonanca Natural Park: Provided, That all funds directly coming from the LGUs shall be 
10 
exempted from the twenty-five percent (25%) remittance requirement for the central 
11 
Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF). 
12 
SEC. 15. Prohibited Acts and Penalties. - The following shall be the prohibitions 
13 
and penalties applicable to the Pasonanca Natural Park, in addition to the prohibited 
14 
acts as provided in the NIPAS Act and its implementing rules and regulations: 
15 
(a) 
The penalties and qualifications prescribed in Articles 309 (Penalties) and 
16 
310 (Qualified Theft) of the Revised Penal Code, depending on the value of the 
17 
resources involved in connection with the prohibited act or a fine of at least triple the 
18 
value of the said resources, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who: 
19 
(1) Takes, destroys, collects, disturbs or possesses any wild terrestrial or 
20 
aquatic plants or animals, flora or fauna, sand, rocks, or by-products derived therefrom, 
21 
within particularly identified regulated or prohibited areas or zones in the Pasonanca 
22 
Natural Park including private lands without the necessary permit, authorization or 
23 
exemption: Provided, That hunting of animals shall be absolutely prohibited except for 
24 
scientific research; 


- 26-
1 
(2) 
Cuts, gathers, removes or collect timber or any forest products, within 
2 
particularly identified regulated or prohibited areas or zones in the Pasonanca Natural 
3 
Park including private lands without the necessary permit, authorization or exemption; 
4 
(3) 
Possesses or transports, within or outside the Pasonanca Natural Park any 
5 
timber, forest products, wild terrestrial or aquatic plants, animals, or by-products 
6 
derived therefrom which is ascertained to have been taken from the Pasonanca Natural 
7 
Park; 
8 
(4) 
Undertakes mineral exploration or extraction within the Pasonanca Natural 
9 
Park; 
10 
(5) 
Engages in quarrying of sand, gravel, guano, limestone or any material 
11 
within the Pasonanca Natural Park; 
12 
(6) 
Hunts, collects, removes or destroys any endangered or protected species, 
13 
except when collection or removal is for scientific research and exempted from the 
14 
prohibition by the PAMB; 
15 
(7) 
Conducts bioprospecting within the Pasonanca Natural Park without prior 
16 
PAMB approval in accordance with existing guidelines; 
17 
(8) 
Engages in kaingin or, in any manner, causing forest fires inside the 
18 
Pasonanca Natural Park; or 
19 
(9) 
Establishes or introduces any exotic species, within the Pasonanca Natural 
20 
Park, which are detrimental to endemic species and the ecosystem therein. 
21 
(b) A fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than 
22 
Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment from one (1) year but not 
23 
more than six (6) years, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who: 


• 
- 27-
1 
(1) 
Violates any rules and regulations in the management plan or by the PAMB 
2 
or agreements reached before the PAMB in the exercise of adjudicative functions; 
3 
(2) 
Erects any structure on land or on water for any purposes outside the 
4 
management plan, duly allowed by the PAMB: Provided, That large-scale private 
5 
infrastructure and other projects such as medium to high density residential 
6 
subdivisions, medium to large commercial and industrial establishments, golf courses, 
7 
heavily mechanized commercial and nontraditional farming, and other activities that 
8 
cause increased in-migration and resource degradation are absolutely prohibited; 
9 
(3) Possesses a chainsaw, hacksaw and other mechanized equipment within 
10 
the Pasonanca Natural Park without a permit; 
11 
(4) Throws, dumps or causes to be dumped into the Pasonanca Natural Park 
12 
any non-biodegradable material or waste whether liquid, solid or gas; 
13 
(5) Uses, dumps, places or causes to be placed into the Pasonanca Natural Park 
14 
toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable products, including pesticides and other 
15 
hazardous substances, soaps and shampoos, and washing detergents, unless the same is 
16 
expressly allowed in the management plan; 
17 
(6) Prospects, hunts or otherwise locates hidden treasures within the 
18 
Pasonanca Natural Park; 
19 
(7) 
Informally occupies or dwells in any land within the Pasonanca Natural 
20 
Park without clearance from the PAMB; 
21 
(8) 
Possesses or uses blasting caps or explosives anywhere within the 
22 
Pasonanca Natural Park; 


• 
" 
-28 -
1 
(9) 
Destroys, excavates, vandalizes or, in any manner, damages any natural 
2 
formation on land, religious, spiritual, historical sites, artifacts and other objects of 
3 
natural or scenic value; 
4 
(10) Alters, removes or destroys boundary marks or signs; 
5 
(11) Purchases or sells, mortgages or leases lands or other portions of the 
6 
Pasonanca Natural Park which are covered by any tenurial instrument. 
7 
Valuation of the damage for this Act shall take into account biodiversity and 
8 
conservation considerations as well as aesthetic and scenic value. Valuation assessed by 
9 
the DENR or the concerned government agency shall be presumed correct unless 
10 
otherwise proven by preponderant evidence. 
11 
Any person who shall induce another or conspire to commit any of the illegal 
12 
acts prohibited in this Act or suffer their workers to commit any of the same shall be 
13 
liable in the same manner as the one actually performing the act. 
14 
All conveyances, vessels, equipments, paraphernalia, implements, gears, tools 
15 
and similar devices shall be subject to immediate and administrative confiscation, 
16 
independent of the judicial proceedings by the PASu Office upon apprehension, subject 
17 
however to due process and substantial evidence requirements. When legal action is 
18 
however, filed in the regular courts, the said conveyances, vessels, equipments, 
19 
paraphernalia, implements, gears, tools and similar devices, independent of the 
20 
administrative proceedings, shall not be released until after judgment has been 
21 
rendered. Proceeds of the sale of all objects administratively or judicially confiscated 
22 
pursuant hereto shall accrue to the Pasonanca Natural Park Fund. Procedure for the sale 
23 
thereof shall be promulgated by the PAMB. However, in no case shall any confiscated or 
24 
rescued protected animal species be sold or in any manner disposed of but shall be 


- 29-
1 
immediately turned over to the PASu Office for release in its natural habitat, subject to 
2 
existing regulations. 
3 
The penalties specified in this section will be in addition to the penalties 
4 
contained in Republic Act No. 9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management 
5 
and Protection Act), Republic Act No. 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and 
6 
Protection Act), and other related laws. 
7 
Conviction for any offense under this Act of a public officer or officer of the law 
8 
shaH carry the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office. 
9 
SEC. 16. Reporting Responsibility. - The PASu, through the PAMB, shaH submit an 
10 
annual accomplishment report to the Secretary of the DENR on the activities 
11 
undertaken in the Pasonanca Natural Park. 
12 
SEC. 17. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shaH immediately include 
13 
in the DENR's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shaH be 
14 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
15 
SEC. 18. Construction and Suppletory Application of EXisting Laws. -
The 
16 
provisions of this Act shall be construed liberaHy in favor of the protection and 
17 
rehabilitation of the Pasonanca Natural Park and the conservation and restoration of its 
18 
biological diversity, taking into account the needs and interests of qualified tenured 
19 
migrants, for present and future Filipino generations. 
20 
The NIPAS Act shaH have suppletory effect in the implementation of this Act. 
21 
SEC. 19. Transitory Provision. -In order to ensure the recovery and restoration of 
22 
biological diversity and to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities for tenured 
23 
migrants, the DENR shaH henceforth cease to issue concessions, licenses, permits, 
24 
clearances, compliance documents or any other instrument that aHows exploitation and 


- 30-
1 
utilization of resources within the Pasonanca Natural Park until the Management Plan 
2 
shall have been put into effect. 
3 
All existing land-use and resource use permits within the Pasonanca Natural 
4 
Park shall be reviewed and shall not be renewed upon their expiration unless consistent 
5 
with the Management plan and approved by the PAMB. 
6 
SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. - For the purpose of this Act, the provisions of the 
7 
NIPAS Act are hereby modified in accordance with the provisions herein. All other laws, 
8 
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
9 
accordingly. The prohibitions and penalties under the NIPAS Act are hereby superseded 
10 
for the entire area covered by this Act. 
11 
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. - If any part or section of this Act is declared by the 
12 
courts as unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or sections 
13 
hereof. 
14 
SEC. 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately after its 
15 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general 
16 
circulation available in the Pasonanca Natural Park. 
Approved,