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
Philippines in Congress assembled: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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, possess common ecological values that may be
incorporated into a holistic plan representative of our natural
heritage; that effective administration of these areas 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
outstanding 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: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

a.  National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (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;

b.  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;

c.  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;

d.  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;

e.  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;

f.  Natural monument 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;

g.  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 modem
technology at their pace;

h.  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;

i.  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
recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic
activity of these areas;

j.  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;

k.  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;

l.  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

m.  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 manipulation
for the perpetuation.
Section 5
Establishment and Extent of the System

The establishment and operationalization of the System shall involve

the following: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

a.  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;

b.  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 description 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;

c.  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;

d.  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 nonsuitability for preservation as protected
area and inclusion in the System according to the categories
established in Section 3 hereof and report its finding to the President
as soon as each study is completed. The study must include in each
area:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

1.  A forest occupants survey:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

1.  Notify the public of the 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;

2.  Conduct public hearings at the locations nearest to the area

affected;

3.  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 the hearing; and

4.  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;

e.  Upon receipt of the recommendation 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

f.  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 order as protected area/s.
Section 6
Additional Areas to be Integrated to the System

Notwithstanding the establishment of the initial component of the

System, the Secretary shall propose the inclusion in the System of
additional areas with outstanding physical features, anthropological
significance and biological diversity in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5(d).
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, advise 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
forest 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 be
prepared for each protected area. The DENR shall exercise its
authority over protected areas as provided in this Act on such area
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 and for close coordination between and
among local agencies of the Government as well as 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 Area 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 for by 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: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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;

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 violations 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
disbursement or other property in the interest of the NlPAS, 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 for 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

building and other structures to be constructed in protected areas
and the material to be used;

o.  Control the construction, operation and maintenance of roads,

trails, waterworks, sewerage, fire protection, and sanitation systems
and other public utilities within the protected area;

p.  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

q.  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: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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 Environment
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 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 no power to evict indigenous
communities from their present occupancy nor resettle them to
another area without their consent: Provide, 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 of 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 endowments 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:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

a.  Taxed 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 Fund 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 protected areas. Persons arrested
shall be brought to the nearest police precinct for investigation.
Nothing herein mentioned shall be construed as preventing regular
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:
chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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;

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 also be required to restore or compensate
for the restoration to the damage: Provided, further, That the 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 section 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:    June 1, 1992