9/14/2019 Republic Act No.

7586

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Fifth Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-second day of July, nineteen hundred and ninety one.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL INTEGRATED

PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM, DEFINING ITS SCOPE AND COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1. Title – This Act shall be known and referred to as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of
1992″.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy – Cognizant of the profound impact of man’s activities on all components of the
natural environment particularly the effect of increasing population, resource exploitation and industrial
advancement and recognizing the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural biological and
physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique features to sustain human life and
development, as well as plant and animal life, 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
establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of national park as
provided for in the Constitution.

It is hereby recognized that these areas, although distinct in features, posses common ecological values that may
be incorporated into a holistic plan representative of our natural heritage; that effective administration of this area is
possible only through cooperation among national government, local government and concerned private
organizations; that the use and enjoyment of these protected areas must be consistent with the principles of
biological diversity and sustainable development.

To this end, there is hereby established a National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), which shall
encompass outstandingly remarkable areas and biologically important public lands that are habitats of rare and
endangered species of plants and animals, biogeographic zones and related ecosystems, whether terrestrial,
wetland or marine, all of which shall be designated as "protected areas".

Section 3. Categories – The following categories of protected areas are hereby established:

a. Strict nature reserve;

b. Natural park;

c. Natural monument;

d. Wildlife sanctuary;

e. Protected landscapes and seascapes;

f. Resource reserve;

g. Natural biotic areas; and

h. Other categories established by law, conventions or international agreements which the Philippine
Government is a signatory.

Section 4. Definition of Terms – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

1. "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)" is the classification and administration of all
designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve
genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural
conditions to the greatest extent possible;

2. "Protected Area" refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical
and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human
exploitation;

3. "Buffer zones" are identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to designated
protected areas pursuant to Section 8 that need special development control in order to avoid or minimize
harm to the protected area;

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4. "Indigenous cultural community" refers to a group of people sharing common bonds of language, customs,
traditions and other distinctive cultural traits and who have since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and
utilized a territory;

5. "National park" refers to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness character which has been
withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation except in conformity with approved
management plan and set aside as such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural
and historic objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas;

6. "Natural monuments" is a relatively small area focused on protection of small features to protect or
preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special interest or unique characteristics;

7. "Natural biotic area" is 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;

8. "Natural park" is a relatively large area not materially altered by human activity where extractive resource
uses are not allowed and maintained to protect outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or
international significance for scientific, educational and recreational use;

9. "Protected landscapes/seascapes" are areas of national significance which are characterized by the
harmonious interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through the
recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic activity of these areas;

10. "Resource reserve" is an extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited area normally with difficult
access designated as such to protect natural resources of the area for future use and prevent or contain
development activities that could affect the resource pending the establishment of objectives which are based
upon appropriate knowledge and planning;

11. "Strict nature reserve" is an area possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features and/or species of
flora and fauna of national scientific importance maintained to protect nature and maintain processes in an
undisturbed state in order to have ecologically representative examples of the natural environment available
for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a
dynamic and evolutionary state;

12. "Tenured migrant communities" are communities within protected areas which have actually and
continuously occupied such areas for five (5) years before the designation of the same as protected areas in
accordance with this Act and are solely dependent therein for subsistence; and

13. "Wildlife sanctuary" comprises an area which assures the natural conditions necessary to protect
nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or physical features of the environment
where these may require specific human manipulations for their perpetuation.

Section 5. Establishment and Extent of the System – The establishment and operationalization of the System shall
involve the following:

1. All areas or islands in the Philippines proclaimed, designated or set aside, pursuant to a law, presidential
decree, presidential proclamation or executive order as national park, game refuge, bird and wildlife
sanctuary, wilderness area, strict nature reserve, watershed, mangrove reserve, fish sanctuary, natural and
historical landmark, protected and managed landscape/seascape as well as identified virgin forests before the
effectivity of this Act are hereby designated as initial components of the System. The initial components of the
System shall be governed by existing laws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this Act;

2. Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR shall submit to the Senate and the House of
Representatives a map and legal descriptions or natural boundaries of each protected area initially
comprising the System. Such maps and legal description shall, by virtue of this Act, constitute the official
documentary representation of the entire System, subject to such changes as Congress deems necessary;

3. All DENR records pertaining to said protected areas, including maps and legal descriptions or natural
boundaries, copies of rules and regulations governing them, copies of public notices of, and reports submitted
to Congress regarding pending additions, eliminations, or modifications shall be made available to the public.
These legal documents pertaining to protected areas shall also be available to the public in the respective
DENR Regional Offices, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) and Community
Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) where NIPAS areas are located;

4. Within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR shall study and review each area tentatively
composing the System as to its suitability or non-suitability for preservation as protected area and inclusion in
the System according to the categories established in Section 3 hereof and report its findings to the President
as soon as each study is completed. The study must include in each area:

1. A forest occupants survey;

2. An ethnographic study;

3. A protected area resource profile;

4. Land use plans done in coordination with the respective Regional Development Councils; and

5. Such other background studies as will be sufficient bases for selection.

The DENR shall:

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1. Notify the public of proposed action through publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and such
other means as the System deems necessary in the area or areas in the vicinity of the affected land thirty (30)
days prior to the public hearing;

i. Conduct public hearings at the locations nearest to the area affected;

ii. At least thirty (30) days prior to the date of hearing, advise all Local Government Units (LGUs) in the
affected areas, national agencies concerned, people’s organizations and non-government
organizations and invite such officials to submit their views on the proposed action at the hearing not
later than thirty (30) days following the date of hearing; and

iii. Give due consideration to the recommendations at the public hearing; and provide sufficient
explanation for his recommendations contrary to the general sentiments expressed in the public
hearing;

2. Upon receipt of the recommendations of the DENR, the President shall issue a presidential proclamation
designating the recommended areas as protected areas and providing for measures for their protection until
such time when Congress shall have enacted a law finally declaring such recommended areas as part of the
integrated protected area systems; and

3. Thereafter, the President shall send to the Senate and the House of Representatives his recommendations
with respect to the designations as protected areas or reclassification of each area on which review has been
completed, together with maps and legal description of boundaries. The President, in his recommendation,
may propose the alteration of existing boundaries of any or all proclaimed protected areas, addition of any
contiguous area of public land of predominant physical and biological value. Nothing contained herein shall
limit the President to propose, as part of his recommendation to Congress, additional areas which have not
been designated, proclaimed or set aside by law, presidential decree, proclamation or executive orders as
protected area/s.

Section 6. Additional Areas to be Integrated to the System. – Notwithstanding the establishment of the initial
component of the additional areas with outstanding physical features, anthropological significance and biological
diversity in accordance with the provisions of Section 5d.

Section 7. Disestablishment as Protected Area. – When in the opinion of the DENR a certain protected area should
be withdrawn or disestablished, or its boundaries modified as warranted by a study and sanctioned by the majority
of the members of the respective boards for the protected area as herein established in Section 11, it shall, in turn,
advice Congress. Disestablishment of a protected area under the System or modification of its boundary shall take
effect pursuant to an act of Congress. Thereafter, said area shall revert to the category of public forests unless
otherwise classified by Congress: Provided however, that after disestablishment by Congress, the Secretary may
recommend the transfer of such disestablished area to other government agencies to serve other priority programs
of national interest.

Section 8. Buffer Zones. – For each protected area, there shall be established peripheral buffer zones when
necessary, in the same manner as Congress establishes the protected area, to protect the same from activities that
will directly and indirectly harm it. Such buffer zones shall be included in the individual protected area management
plan that shall prepared for each protected area. The DENR shall exercise its authority over protected areas as
provided in this Act on such area and designated as buffer zones.

Section 9. Management Plans. – There shall be a general management planning strategy to serve as guide in
formulating individual plans for each protected area. The management planning strategy shall, at the minimum,
promote the adoption and implementation of innovative management techniques including if necessary, the concept
of zoning, buffer zone management for multiple use and protection, habitat conservation and rehabilitation, diversity
management, community organizing, socioeconomic and scientific researches, site-specific policy development,
pest management, and fire control. The management planning strategy shall also provide guidelines for the
protection of indigenous cultural communities, other tenured migrant communities and sites for close coordination
between and among local agencies of the Government as well as the private sector.

Each component area of the System shall be planned and administered to further protect and enhance the
permanent preservation of its natural conditions. A management manual shall be formulated and developed which
must contain the following: an individual management plan prepared by three (3) experts, basic background
information, field inventory of the resources within the area, an assessment of assets and limitations, regional
interrelationships, particular objectives for managing the area, appropriate division of the area into management
zones, a review of the boundaries of the area, and a design of the management programs.

Section 10. Administration and Management of the System. – The National Integrated Protected Areas System is
hereby placed under the control and administration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. For
this purpose, there is hereby created a division in the regional offices of the Department to be called the Protected
Areas and Wildlife Division in regions where protected areas have been established, which shall be under the
supervision of a Regional Technical Director, and shall include subordinate officers, clerks, and employees as may
be proposed by the Secretary, duly approved by the Department of Budget and Management, and appropriated by
the Congress. The Service thus established shall manage protected areas and promote the permanent
preservation, to the greatest extent possible of their natural conditions.

To carry out the mandate of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR is empowered to perform any and all of the
following acts:

a. To conduct studies on various characteristic features and conditions of the different protected areas, using
commonalities in their characteristics, classify and define them into categories and prescribe permissible or
prohibited human activities in each category in the System;

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b. To adopt and enforce a land use scheme and zoning plan in adjoining areas for the preservation and
control of activities that may threaten the ecological balance in the protected areas;

c. To cause the preparation of and exercise the power to review all plans and proposals for the management
of protected areas;

d. To promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act;

e. To deputize field officers and delegate any of his powers under this Act and other laws to expedite its
implementation and enforcement;

f. To fix and prescribe reasonable NIPAS fees to be collected from government agencies or any person, firm
or corporation deriving benefits from the protected areas;

g. To exact administrative fees and fines as authorized in Section 21 for violation of guidelines, rules and
regulations of this Act as would endanger the viability of protected areas;

h. To enter into contracts and/or agreements with private entities or public agencies as may be necessary to
carry out the purposes of this Act;

i. To accept in the name of the Philippine Government and in behalf of NIPAS funds, gifts or bequests of
money for immediate disbursements or other property in the interest of the NIPAS, its activities or its services;

j. To call on any agency or instrumentality of the Government as well as academic institutions, non-
government organizations and the private sector as may be necessary to accomplish the objectives and
activities of the System;

k. To submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines and to Congress on the status of protected
areas in the country;

l. To establish a uniform marker of the System, including an appropriate and distinctive symbol for each
category in the System, in consultation with appropriate government agencies and public and private
organizations;

m. To determine the specification of the class, type and style of buildings and other structures to be
constructed in protected areas and the materials to be used;

n. Control the construction, operation and maintenance of roads, trails, waterworks, sewerage, fire protection,
and sanitation systems and other public utilities within the protected area;

o. Control occupancy of suitable portions of the protected area and resettle outside of said area forest
occupants therein, with the exception of the members of indigenous communities area; and

p. To perform such other functions as may be directed by the President of the Philippines, and to do such acts
as may be necessary or incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose and objectives of the System.

Section 11. Protected Area Management Board. – A Protected Area Management Board for each of the established
protected area shall be created and shall be composed of the following: The Regional Executive Director under
whose jurisdiction the protected area is located; one (1) representative from the autonomous regional government, if
applicable; the Provincial Development Officer; one (1) representative from the municipal government; one (1)
representative from each barangay covering the protected area; one (1) representative from each tribal community,
if applicable; and, at least three (3) representatives from non-government organizations/local community
organizations, and if necessary, one (1) representative from other departments or national government agencies
involved in protected area management.

The Board shall, by a majority vote, decide the allocations for budget, approve proposals for funding, decide matters
relating to planning, peripheral protection and general administration of the area in accordance with the general
management strategy. The members of the Board shall serve for a term of five (5) years without compensation,
except for actual and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
They shall be appointed by the Secretary of the DENR as follows:

a. A member who shall be appointed to represent each local government down to barangay level whose
territory or portion is included in the protected area. Each appointee shall be the person designated by the
head of such LGU, except for the Provincial Development Officer who shall serve ex officio;

b. A member from non-government organizations who shall be endorsed by heads of organizations which are
preferably based in the area or which have established and recognized interest in protected areas;

c. The RED/s in the region/s where such protected area lies shall sit as ex officio member of the Board and
shall serve as adviser/s in matters related to the technical aspect of management of the area; and

d. The RED shall act as chairman of the Board. When there are two (2) or more REDs in the Board, the
Secretary shall designate one (1) of them to be the Chairman. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment.

Section 12. Environmental Impact Assessment. – Proposals for activities which are outside the scope of the
management plan for protected areas shall be subject to an environmental impact assessment as required by law
before they are adopted, and the results thereof shall be taken into consideration in the decision-making process.

No actual implementation of such activities shall be allowed without the required Environmental Compliance
Certificate (ECC) under the Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system. In instances where such
activities are allowed to be undertaken, the proponent shall plan and carry them out in such manner as will minimize

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any adverse effects and take preventive and remedial action when appropriate. The proponent shall be liable for any
damage due to lack of caution or indiscretion.

Section 13. Ancestral Lands and Rights Over Them. – Ancestral lands and customary rights and interest arising
shall be accorded due recognition. The DENR shall prescribe rules and regulations to govern ancestral lands within
protected areas: Provided, that the DENR shall have so power to evict indigenous communities from their present
occupancy nor resettle them to another area without their consent: Provided, however, That all rules and
regulations, whether adversely affecting said communities or not, shall be subjected to notice and hearing to be
participated in by members of concerned indigenous community.

Section 14. Survey for Energy Resources. – Consistent with the policies declared in Section 2 hereof, protected
areas, except strict nature reserves and natural parks, may be subjected to exploration only for the purpose of
gathering information on energy resources and only if such activity is carried out with the least damage to
surrounding areas. Surveys shall be conducted only in accordance with a program approved by the DENR, and the
result of such surveys shall be made available to the public and submitted to the President for recommendation to
Congress. Any exploitation and utilization of energy resources found within NIPAS areas shall be allowed only
through a law passed by Congress.

Section 15. Areas Under the Management of Other Departments and Government Instrumentalities. – Should there
be protected areas, or portions thereof, under the jurisdiction of government instrumentalities other than the DENR,
such jurisdiction shall, prior to the passage of this Act, remain in the said department or government instrumentality;
Provided, That the department or government instrumentality exercising administrative jurisdiction over said
protected area or a portion thereof shall coordinate with the DENR in the preparation of its management plans, upon
the effectivity of this Act.

Section 16. Integrated Protected Areas Fund. – There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as Integrated
Protected Areas (IPAS) Fund for purposes of financing projects of the System. The IPAS may solicit and receive
donations, endowments, and grants in the form of contributions, and such endowment shall be exempted from
income or gift taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the Government or any political subdivision or
instrumentality thereof.

All incomes generated from the operation of the System or management of wild flora and fauna shall accrue to the
Fund and may be utilized directly by the DENR for the above purpose. These incomes shall be derived from:

a. Taxes from the permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from protected areas;

b. Proceeds from lease of multiple use areas;

c. Contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the protected area; and

d. Such other fees and incomes derived from the operation of the protected area. Disbursements from the
Funds shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the System,
and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMBs, in the amounts authorized by the DENR.

Section 17. Annual Report to Congress. – At the opening of each session of Congress, the DENR shall report to the
President, for transmission to Congress, on the status of the System, regulation in force and other pertinent
information, together with recommendations.

Section 18. Field Officers. – All officials, technical personnel and forest guards employed in the integrated protected
area service or all persons deputized by the DENR, upon recommendation of the Management Board shall be
considered as field officers and shall have the authority to investigate and search premises and buildings and make
arrests in accordance with the rules on criminal procedure for the violation of laws and regulations relating to the
protected areas. Persons arrested shall be brought to the nearest police precinct for investigation.

Nothing herein mentioned shall be construed as preventing regular law enforcers and police officers from arresting
any person in the act of violating said laws and regulations.

Section 19. Special Prosecutors. – The Department of Justice shall designate special prosecutors to prosecute
violations of laws, rules and regulations in protected areas.

Section 20. Prohibited Acts. – Except as may be allowed by the nature of their categories and pursuant to rules and
regulations governing the same, the following acts are prohibited within protected areas:

a. Hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or animals or products derived therefrom
without a permit from the Management Board;

b. Dumping of any waste products detrimental to the protected area, or to the plants and animals or
inhabitants therein;

c. Use of any motorized equipment without a permit from the Management Board;

d. Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of interest to cultural communities (of
scenic value);

e. Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition;

f. Squatting, mineral locating, or otherwise occupying any land;

g. Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, conducting any business enterprise
without a permit;

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h. Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing in ground or in bodies of water;
and

i. Altering, removing destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs.

Section 21. Penalties. – Whoever violates this Act or any rules and regulations issued by the Department pursuant
to this Act or whoever is found guilty by a competent court of justice of any of the offenses in the preceding section
shall be fined in the amount of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000), exclusive of the value of the thing damaged or imprisonment for not less than one (1) year but
not more than six (6) years, or both, as determined by the court: Provided, that, if the area requires rehabilitation or
restoration as determined by the court, the offender shall be required to restore or compensate for the restoration to
the damages: Provided, further, that court shall order the eviction of the offender from the land and the forfeiture in
favor of the Government of all minerals, timber or any species collected or removed including all equipment, devices
and firearms used in connection therewith, and any construction or improvement made thereon by the offender. If
the offender is an association or corporation, the president or manager shall be directly responsible for the act of his
employees and laborers: Provided, finally, that the DENR may impose administrative fines and penalties consistent
with this Act.

Section 22. Separability Clause. – If any part or section of this Act is declared unconstitutional, such declaration
shall not affect the other parts or sections of this Act.

Section 23. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent
with any provisions of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 24. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) NEPTALI A. GONZALES (Sgd.) RAMON V. MITRA

President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 34696 and Senate Bill No. 1914 was finally passed by the House
of Representatives and the Senate on February 6, 1992.

(Sgd.) ANACLETO D. BADOY, JR. (Sgd.) CAMILO L. SABIO

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General
House of Representatives

Approved: June 01 1992

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO

President of the Philippines

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