AN ACT DECLARING THE WATERS SURROUNDING PANAON ISLAND SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, A PROTECTED SEASCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE PANAON ISLAND PROTECTED SEASCAPE, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

• Number: Republic Act No. 12238
• Sections: 16

Section 1 Short Title.

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Panaon Island Protected Seascape Act".

Section 2 Declaration of Policy.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Cognizant of the profound impact of human activities on all components of the natural environment, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations, the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) within the classification of national park as provided in the Constitution.

In recognition of the richness of biological resources, both flora and fauna, that are native and distinct to the surrounding waters of Panaon Island, as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land of the public domain located in the Municipalities of Liloan, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and San Ricardo in the Province of Southern Leyte, is hereby declared a protected area under the category of protected seascape and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS). As such, the State shall ensure the conservation, protection, management, and rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that effective administration of this area is possible only through cooperation among the national government, local government units (LGUs), concerned non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private entities, and local communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.

Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystems, and cultural and indigenous practices.

Section 3 Classification as a National Park.

SEC. 3. Classification as a National Park. - The PIPS is composed of a waters surrounding the Panaon Island situated in the Municipalities of Liloan, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and San Ricardo in the Province of Southern Leyte, the metes and bounds of which are described in Section 4 of this Act. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of the PIPS shall fall under the classification of a national park as provided for in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.

Section 5 Scope and Coverage.

SEC. 5. Scope and Coverage. - The PIPS shall cover the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo, Province of Southern Leyte.

Beginning at a point marked "1" on the map being N 81o04'54"E,1607.313 meters from PRS'92 Control Monument "LYS-7" with geographic coordinates of 10o9'35.928606" Latitude and 125o6'59.18374" Longitude located in Barangay Poblacion, Municipality of Liloan, Province of Southern Leyte, thence

N 75o27'39"

E

11,519.89

meters to corner 2;

thence

S 54o30'49"

E

5,285.30

meters to corner 3

thence

S 23o19'52"

E

13,151.13

meters to corner 4;

thence

S 39o15'45"

E

3,416.97

meters to corner 5;

thence

S 09o01'28"

E

4,793.82

meters to corner 6;

thence

S 20o31'43"

E

6,212.19

meters to corner 7;

thence

S 11o47'33"

W

4,204.39

meters to corner 8;

thence

S 39o40' 22"

W

4,846.69

meters to corner 9;

thence

S 67o58'50"

W

5,033.48

meters to corner 10;

thence

N 88o48'04"

W

4,388.71

meters to corner 11;

thence

N 61o13'23"

W

5,156.94

meters to corner 12;

thence

N 31o20'22"

W

16,297.69

meters to corner 13;

thence

N 54o13'03"

W

5,790.66

meters to corner 14;

thence

N 12o03'35"

W

14,294.01

meters to corner 15;

thence

N 56o37'45"

E

6,953.40

meters to corner 16;

thence

S 36o23'44"

E

93.247

meters to corner 17;

thence

S 75o58'33"

E

83.933

meters to corner 18;

thence

N 44o08'04"

E

50.688

meters to corner 19;

thence

S 73o29'40"

E

209.701

meters to corner 20;

thence

S 35o17'00"

E

239.632

meters to corner 21;

thence

S 01o59'03"

E

336.237

meters to corner 22;

thence

S 60o06'18"

E

83.134

meters to corner 23;

thence

N 61o51'40"

E

138.894

meters to corner 24;

thence

N 54o26'35"

E

208.984

meters to corner 25;

thence

N 67o03'52"

E

91.532

meters to corner 26;

thence

S 42o41'20"

E

113.76

meters to corner 27;

thence

S 13o48'12"

E

78.637

meters to corner 28;

thence

S 27o26'28"

W

100.006

meters to corner 29;

thence

S 42o07'50"

W

136.37

meters to corner 30;

thence

S 10o23'16"

W

131.635

meters to corner 31;

thence

S 56o56'33"

W

128.077

meters to corner 32;

thence

S 50o35'15"

W

151.53

meters to corner 33;

thence

S 17o12'24"

W

201.027

meters to corner 34;

thence

S 19o19'13"

E

109.284

meters to corner 35;

thence

S 37o20'41"

E

88.159

meters to corner 36;

thence

S 63o27'44"

E

132.779

meters to corner 37;

thence

S 74o28'19"

E

93.761

meters to corner 38;

thence

N 50o58'56"

E

143.542

meters to corner 39;

thence

N 84o37'32"

E

72.983

meters to corner 40;

thence

S 71o57'32"

E

98.534

meters to corner 41;

thence

S 11o58'54"

E

118.217

meters to corner 42;

thence

N 53o53'16"

E

222.003

meters to corner 43;

thence

S 44o45'12"

E

58.181

meters to corner 44;

thence

S 43o28'23"

W

100.953

meters to corner 45;

thence

S 01o36'34"

W

90.91

meters to corner 46;

thence

S 20o36'35"

E

74.619

meters to corner 47;

thence

N 51o56'55"

E

126.613

meters to corner 48;

thence

N 28o00'34"

E

92.655

meters to corner 49;

thence

S 73o56'04"

E

87.686

meters to corner 50;

thence

S 39o18'22"

W

134.082

meters to corner 51;

thence

S 05o34'43"

W

140.322

meters to corner 52;

thence

S 24o06'39"

W

91.656

meters to corner 53;

thence

S 35o04'50"

E

63.978

meters to corner 54;

thence

S 07o13'05"

W

28.595

meters to corner 55;

thence

S 58o16'05"

W

38.041

meters to corner 56;

thence

S 41o46'36"

E

45.348

meters to corner 57;

thence

S 29o45'32"

W

52.541

meters to corner 58;

thence

S 77o13'46"

E

106.769

meters to corner 59;

thence

S 10o45'50"

W

51.005

meters to corner 60;

thence

N 72o18'20"

W

91.1545

meters to corner 61;

thence

N 84o47'57"

W

185.259

meters to corner 62;

thence

S 33o42'13"

E

47.405

meters to corner 63;

thence

S 08o22'24"

W

34.556

meters to corner 64;

thence

S 66o47'55"

W

51.738

meters to corner 65;

thence

S 15o15'39"

E

30.155

meters to corner 66;

thence

S 72o17'43"

E

45.392

meters to corner 67;

thence

S 16o30'49"

E

65.996

meters to corner 68;

thence

N 71o56'52"

E

305.696

meters to corner 69;

thence

S 64o15'23"

E

46.121

meters to corner 70;

thence

S 05o59'17"

W

93.48

meters to corner 71;

thence

S 67o44'42"

W

155.142

meters to corner 72;

thence

S 31o17'41"

W

238.303

meters to corner 73;

thence

N 87o55'12"

W

93.005

meters to corner 74;

thence

S 41o18'24"

W

205.007

meters to corner 75;

thence

S 32o31'50"

E

146.851

meters to corner 76;

thence

S 55o57'27"

W

180.277

meters to corner 77;

thence

N 34o28'35"

W

51.414

meters to corner 78;

thence

S 70o20'17"

W

332.222

meters to corner 79;

thence

N 83o46'39"

W

97.902

meters to corner 80;

thence

N 40o04'28"

W

139.307

meters to corner 81;

thence

N 00o04'14"

W

134.518

meters to corner 82;

thence

N 31o38'52"

E

46.276

meters to corner 83;

thence

N 04o12'59"

E

52.226

meters to corner 84;

thence

N 31o17'39"

W

144.905

meters to corner 85;

thence

N 89o24'08"

W

32.664

meters to corner 86;

thence

S 20o23'47"

W

165.802

meters to corner 87;

thence

S 33o37'00"

W

106.466

meters to corner 88;

thence

S 00o23'04"

W

73.167

meters to corner 89;

thence

S 17o37'19"

E

313.036

meters to corner 90;

thence

S 00o38'35"

E

235.414

meters to corner 91;

thence

S 18o26'29"

W

278.838

meters to corner 92;

thence

S 04o26'12"

W

313.294

meters to corner 93;

thence

S 10o28'26"

W

208.571

meters to corner 94;

thence

S 19o48'56"

E

276.553

meters to corner 95;

thence

S 30o40'17"

E

118.091

meters to corner 96;

thence

S 51o24'14"

E

311.632

meters to corner 97;

thence

S 36o11'59"

E

244.952

meters to corner 98;

thence

S 33o28'23"

W

257.057

meters to corner 99;

thence

S 41o14'08"

W

189.112

meters to corner 100;

thence

S 18o47'09"

W

328.009

meters to corner 101;

thence

S 03o22'32"

W

206.729

meters to corner 102;

thence

S 11o00'45"

E

188.557

meters to corner 103;

thence

S 13o49'13"

W

220.008

meters to corner 104;

thence

S 04o27'19"

W

90.33

meters to corner 105;

thence

S 14o52'41"

E

187.953

meters to corner 106;

thence

S 00o15'10"

W

242.492

meters to corner 107;

thence

S 28o17'02"

W

172.667

meters to corner 108;

thence

S 07o34'55"

E

119.24

meters to corner 109;

thence

S 05o08'21"

W

258.718

meters to corner 110;

thence

S 16o52'30"

W

117.177

meters to corner 111;

thence

S 00o17'24"

W

424.937

meters to corner 112;

thence

S 27o38'18"

E

241.703

meters to corner 113;

thence

S 04o23'33"

E

531.764

meters to corner 114;

thence

S 12o26'33"

E

140.506

meters to corner 115;

thence

S 27o36'06"

E

315.624

meters to corner 116;

thence

S 22o59'24"

W

100.255

meters to corner 117;

thence

S 10o15'17"

E

176.418

meters to corner 118;

thence

S 41o47'51"

E

235.725

meters to corner 119;

thence

S 28o35'15"

E

328.741

meters to corner 120;

thence

S 15o53'03"

W

102.65

meters to corner 121;

thence

S 60o27'56"

E

286.363

meters to corner 122;

thence

S 20o18'00"

E

97.066

meters to corner 123;

thence

S 00o04'56"

E

172.293

meters to corner 124;

thence

S 09o00'29"

W

136.272

meters to corner 125;

thence

S 22o15'16"

W

317.498

meters to corner 126;

thence

S 33o13'22"

E

253.412

meters to corner 127;

thence

S 03o01'20"

E

222.628

meters to corner 128;

thence

S 47o21'27"

E

261.396

meters to corner 129;

thence

S 34o42'16"

E

959.447

meters to corner 130;

thence

S 22o19'58"

E

408.252

meters to corner 131;

thence

S 64o 19'55"

E

96.149

meters to corner 132;

thence

S 34o24'01"

E

184.176

meters to corner 133;

thence

S 16o57'05"

E

112.918

meters to corner 134;

thence

S 06o06'50"

E

100.878

meters to corner 135;

thence

S 79o41'48"

E

55.963

meters to corner 136;

thence

S 17o54'43"

E

125.614

meters to corner 137;

thence

S 04o51'43"

W

166.344

meters to corner 138;

thence

S 14o21'42"

W

329.201

meters to corner 139;

thence

N 75o15'19"

E

75.903

meters to corner 140;

thence

S 78o17'58"

E

193.685

meters to corner 141;

thence

S 67o47'10"

E

95.832

meters to corner 142;

thence

S 43o53'13"

E

147.093

meters to corner 143;

thence

S 89o 06'26"

E

102.459

meters to corner 144;

thence

S 42o52'12"

E

224.511

meters to corner 145;

thence

S 84o49'20"

E

285.727

meters to corner 146;

thence

N 82o55'22"

E

520.681

meters to corner 147;

thence

S 62o02'15"

E

83.134

meters to corner 148;

thence

N 01o00'06"

E

81.988

meters to corner 149;

thence

S 84o52'12"

E

166.065

meters to corner 150;

thence

S 33o22'10"

W

98.651

meters to corner 151;

thence

S 71o35'59"

E

122.002

meters to corner 152;

thence

S 67o18'03"

E

130.047

meters to corner 153;

thence

S 59o49'17"

E

158.222

meters to corner 154;

thence

S 69o05'46"

E

129.948

meters to corner 155;

thence

S 80o04'21"

E

137.142

meters to corner 156;

thence

S 53o35'08"

E

308.441

meters to corner 157;

thence

S 57o37'42"

E

743.72

meters to corner 158;

thence

S 70o23'41"

E

194.626

meters to corner 159;

thence

S 52o32'47"

E

245.052

meters to corner 160;

thence

N 82o21'21"

E

64.037

meters to corner 161;

thence

S 83o49'55"

E

243.074

meters to corner 162;

thence

S 63o22'16"

E

173.703

meters to corner 163;

thence

S 55o40'55"

E

378.828

meters to corner 164;

thence

S 59o58'57"

E

542.443

meters to corner 165;

thence

S 71o11'50"

E

172.103

meters to corner 166;

thence

S 43o29'04"

E

985.858

meters to corner 167;

thence

S 29o55'43"

E

824.084

meters to corner 168;

thence

S 08o27'17"

E

246.033

meters to corner 169;

thence

S 02o10'13"

W

321.587

meters to corner 170;

thence

S 06o24'10"

E

323.18

meters to corner 171;

thence

S 43o04'01"

E

147.819

meters to corner 172;

thence

S 23o50'47"

E

214.207

meters to corner 173;

thence

S 44o46'34"

E

608.863

meters to corner 174;

thence

S 47o25'23"

E

603.611

meters to corner 175;

thence

S 00o19'37"

E

374.954

meters to corner 176;

thence

S 35o24'03"

E

568.354

meters to corner 177;

thence

S 03o09'23"

E

304.86

meters to corner 178;

thence

S 26o22'57"

E

887.131

meters to corner 179;

thence

S 01o15'49"

W

130.614

meters to corner 180;

thence

S 19o08'31"

E

426.929

meters to corner 181;

thence

S 10o17'52"

E

253.279

meters to corner 182;

thence

S 26o23'59"

E

244.574

meters to corner 183;

thence

S 35o45'57"

E

258.546

meters to corner 184;

thence

S 38o39'38"

E

1,025.00

meters to corner 185;

thence

S 48o08'50"

E

597.224

meters to corner 186;

thence

S 06o32'04"

W

382.774

meters to corner 187;

thence

S 49o58'22"

E

198.883

meters to corner 188;

thence

S 24o21'54"

E

215.65

meters to corner 189;

thence

S 08o45'44"

E

186.572

meters to corner 190;

thence

S 11o45'49"

W

115.026

meters to corner 191;

thence

S 16o50'14"

E

129.021

meters to corner 192;

thence

N 81o28'42"

E

109.822

meters to corner 193;

thence

N 43o40'21"

E

209.219

meters to corner 194;

thence

S 58o34'21"

E

134.519

meters to corner 195;

thence

N 67o37'28"

E

495.365

meters to corner 196;

thence

S 72o10'58"

E

267.267

meters to corner 197;

thence

S 66o47'23"

E

582.103

meters to corner 198;

thence

S 39o38'03"

E

754.224

meters to corner 199;

thence

S 20o09'44"

E

265.787

meters to corner 200;

thence

S 30o 05'03"

E

223.661

meters to corner 201;

thence

S 37o11'31"

E

584.965

meters to corner 202;

thence

S 22o51'25"

E

247.941

meters to corner 203;

thence

S 14o38'17"

W

173.667

meters to corner 204;

thence

S 02o08'02"

W

137.381

meters to corner 205;

thence

S 17o15'40"

W

166.811

meters to corner 206;

thence

S 00o44'04"

E

666.684

meters to corner 207;

thence

S 25o08'04"

E

378.913

meters to corner 208;

thence

S 11o45'53"

E

178.694

meters to corner 209;

thence

S 00o23'37"

E

214.439

meters to corner 210;

thence

S 23o34'11"

E

416.645

meters to corner 211;

thence

S 20o19'21"

E

673.47

meters to corner 212;

thence

S 20o02'20"

E

317.529

meters to corner 213;

thence

S 10o04'38"

E

262.395

meters to corner 214;

thence

S 33o17'55"

E

223.993

meters to corner 215;

thence

S 53o23'10"

E

409.296

meters to corner 216;

thence

S 59o52'39"

E

351.536

meters to corner 217;

thence

S 70o18'27"

E

287.18

meters to corner 218;

thence

S 83o34'12"

E

152.291

meters to corner 219;

thence

N 75o57'04"

E

875.246

meters to corner 220;

thence

S 88o52'18"

E

297.941

meters to corner 221;

thence

S 75o06'34"

E

299.944

meters to corner 222;

thence

S 87o09'15"

E

349.428

meters to corner 223;

thence

N 79o37'16"

E

234.439

meters to corner 224;

thence

N 71o30'50"

E

322.534

meters to corner 225;

thence

N 60o03'13"

E

154.005

meters to corner 226;

thence

N 60o03'12"

E

204.739

meters to corner 227;

thence

N 40o24'27"

E

391.655

meters to corner 228;

thence

N 27o57'21"

E

116.031

meters to corner 229;

thence

N 12o59'16"

E

158.341

meters to corner 230;

thence

S 73o55'31"

E

39.56

meters to corner 231;

thence

N 16o13'33"

E

45.78

meters to corner 232;

thence

S 74o55'16"

E

24.323

meters to corner 233;

thence

N 15o50'06"

E

56.604

meters to corner 234;

thence

N 74o46'31"

W

50.67

meters to corner 235;

thence

N 30o41'15"

E

188.786

meters to corner 236;

thence

N 42o06'51"

E

450.545

meters to corner 237;

thence

N 52o08'45"

E

358.462

meters to corner 238;

thence

N 25o39'48"

W

167.571

meters to corner 239;

thence

N 03o14'20"

W

587.35

meters to corner 240;

thence

N 18o20'15"

W

281.887

meters to corner 241;

thence

N 25o42'45"

W

478.349

meters to corner 242;

thence

N 44o33'32"

W

112.215

meters to corner 243;

thence

N 78o21'18"

W

122.268

meters to corner 244;

thence

N 15o15'35"

W

327.82

meters to corner 245;

thence

N 36o24'58"

W

334.364

meters to corner 246;

thence

N 25o23'39"

W

282.891

meters to corner 247;

thence

N 37o57'56"

W

192.559

meters to corner 248;

thence

N 49o08'03"

W

426.739

meters to corner 249;

thence

N 17o46'55"

W

172.936

meters to corner 250;

thence

N 51o49'54"

W

301.722

meters to corner 251;

thence

N 50o04'59"

W

168.359

meters to corner 252;

thence

N 40o02'44"

W

264.084

meters to corner 253;

thence

N 51o29'21"

W

213.74

meters to corner 254;

thence

N 42o11'22"

W

235.655

meters to corner 255;

thence

N 34o01'06"

W

511.723

meters to corner 256;

thence

N 39o03'13"

W

294.835

meters to corner 257;

thence

N 13o40'42"

W

321.907

meters to corner 258;

thence

N 20o56'25"

W

233.741

meters to corner 259;

thence

N 07o20'34"

E

162.071

meters to corner 260;

thence

N 35o17'47"

E

779.834

meters to corner 261;

thence

N 05o57'57"

W

449.988

meters to corner 262;

thence

N 17o49'44"

E

416.138

meters to corner 263;

thence

N 28o06'22"

E

473.036

meters to corner 264;

thence

N 22o18'26"

E

404.767

meters to corner 265;

thence

N 05o56'44"

W

242.031

meters to corner 266;

thence

N 41o43'32"

W

543.891

meters to corner 267;

thence

N 51o10'24"

W

259.236

meters to corner 268;

thence

S 74o30'13"

W

69.918

meters to corner 269;

thence

N 68o23'35"

W

214.543

meters to corner 270;

thence

N 54o22'02"

W

126.149

meters to corner 271;

thence

N 22o24'52"

W

263.694

meters to corner 272;

thence

N 43o21'31"

W

618.006

meters to corner 273;

thence

N 35o52'23"

W

330.152

meters to corner 274;

thence

N 10o59'41"

W

173.519

meters to corner 275;

thence

N 26o05'54"

W

104.018

meters to corner 276;

thence

N 51o50'55"

W

136.392

meters to corner 277;

thence

N 42o43'04"

W

135.418

meters to corner 278;

thence

N 14o57'27"

W

222.673

meters to corner 279;

thence

N 19o17'07"

W

148.358

meters to corner 280;

thence

N 42o08'39"

W

106.843

meters to corner 281;

thence

N 58o52'54"

W

200.656

meters to corner 282;

thence

N 35o31'04"

W

127.41

meters to corner 283;

thence

N 59o06'33"

W

162.006

meters to corner 284;

thence

N 35o02'33"

W

106.962

meters to corner 285;

thence

N 45o43'24"

W

209.869

meters to corner 286;

thence

N 24o01'09"

W

732.017

meters to corner 287;

thence

N 01o36'30"

W

247.98

meters to corner 288;

thence

N 09o06'39"

W

138.59

meters to corner 289;

thence

N 27o39'14"

W

203.38

meters to corner 290;

thence

N 52o10'52"

W

148.708

meters to corner 291;

thence

N 27o57'42"

W

106.454

meters to corner 292;

thence

N 03o05'57"

W

118.963

meters to corner 293;

thence

N 34o45'52"

W

211.226

meters to corner 294;

thence

N 44o02'31"

W

173.857

meters to corner 295;

thence

N 19o13'36"

W

75.682

meters to corner 296;

thence

S 68o44'57"

W

90.101

meters to corner 297;

thence

N 61o44'14"

W

126.23

meters to corner 298;

thence

N 42o25'12"

W

188.898

meters to corner 299;

thence

N 26o36'40"

W

157.139

meters to corner 300;

thence

N 08o14'25"

W

191.008

meters to corner 301;

thence

N 19o43'59"

E

297.076

meters to corner 302;

thence

N 11o57'43"

E

210.078

meters to corner 303;

thence

N 36o55'28"

W

624.875

meters to corner 304;

thence

N 17o00'04"

W

377.257

meters to corner 305;

thence

N 13o37'41"

W

307.779

meters to corner 306;

thence

N 08o53'56"

W

483.038

meters to corner 307;

thence

N 06o46'32"

E

135.916

meters to corner 308;

thence

N 27o26'11"

W

382.682

meters to corner 309;

thence

N 20o41'14"

W

190.601

meters to corner 310;

thence

N 34o46'17"

W

175.767

meters to corner 311;

thence

N 54o28'11"

W

233.169

meters to corner 312;

thence

N 33o15'13"

W

174.873

meters to corner 313;

thence

N 03o05'21"

E

292.23

meters to corner 314;

thence

N 11o27'17"

E

293.428

meters to corner 315;

thence

N 06o06'36"

W

139.809

meters to corner 316;

thence

N 30o19'38"

W

443.735

meters to corner 317;

thence

N 46o27'52"

W

259.738

meters to corner 318;

thence

N 34o16'08"

W

274.784

meters to corner 319;

thence

N 54o22'29"

W

397.36

meters to corner 320;

thence

N 33o09'02"

W

692.286

meters to corner 321;

thence

N 24o22'00"

E

115.695

meters to corner 322;

thence

N 09o41'34"

W

228.344

meters to corner 323;

thence

N 16o16'24"

W

358.159

meters to corner 324;

thence

N 38o19'32"

W

409.278

meters to corner 325;

thence

N 30o48'58"

W

309.227

meters to corner 326;

thence

N 06o35'46"

W

254.744

meters to corner 327;

thence

N 04o24'35"

E

391.524

meters to corner 328;

thence

N 08o27'45"

W

308.544

meters to corner 329;

thence

N 17o38'24"

W

359.095

meters to corner 330;

thence

N 56o51'25"

W

287.538

meters to corner 331;

thence

N 19o57'06"

W

281.208

meters to corner 332;

thence

N 01o33'42"

W

188.016

meters to corner 333;

thence

N 21o07'36"

W

229.688

meters to corner 334;

thence

N 03o41'40"

W

144.044

meters to corner 335;

thence

N 09o09'53"

E

141.545

meters to corner 336;

thence

N 17o59'04"

W

74.138

meters to corner 337;

thence

N 58o00'01"

W

79.267

meters to corner 338;

thence

S 88o02'16"

W

242.043

meters to corner 339;

thence

S 73o07'12"

W

140.417

meters to corner 340;

thence

S 89o38'18"

W

118.939

meters to corner 341;

thence

S 65o57'13"

W

294.985

meters to corner 342;

thence

S 86o01'10"

W

266.057

meters to corner 343;

thence

N 60o56'44"

W

217.613

meters to corner 344;

thence

N 65o24'15"

W

460.529

meters to corner 345;

thence

N 77o02'15"

W

202.059

meters to corner 346;

thence

S 86o51'05"

W

360.914

meters to corner 347;

thence

N 78o14'35"

W

262.003

meters to corner 348;

thence

N 65o11'43"

W

192.607

meters to corner 349;

thence

N 53o13'04"

W

193.259

meters to corner 350;

thence

N 42o43'53"

W

379.223

meters to corner 351;

thence

N 65o40'32"

W

249.96

meters to corner 352;

thence

S 77o 04'59"

W

377.052

meters to corner 353;

thence

S 89o28'40"

W

356.391

meters to corner 354;

thence

S 78o51'04"

W

241.599

meters to corner 355;

thence

S 74o53'23"

W

658.63

meters to corner 356;

thence

N 75o38'51"

W

348.538

meters to corner 357;

thence

N 54o08'05"

W

350.616

meters to corner 358;

thence

N 43o58'17"

W

316.341

meters to corner 359;

thence

N 68o56'07"

W

223.374

meters to corner 360;

thence

N 51o17'55"

W

557.781

meters to corner 361;

thence

N 41o05'09"

W

792.08

meters to corner 362;

thence

N 34o14'37"

W

413.754

meters to corner 363;

thence

N 61o 02'30"

W

384.736

meters to corner 364;

thence

N 56o50'01"

W

360.666

meters to corner 365;

thence

N 46o43'45"

W

475.454

meters to corner 366;

thence

N 67o03'42"

W

259.747

meters to corner 367;

thence

N 49o37'15"

W

143.462

meters to corner 368;

thence

N 38o09'48"

W

471.388

meters to corner 1;

from the point of beginning containing an area of sixty-one thousand two hundred four (61,204) hectares, more or less. Bearings and distances of lines were derived using the PRS 1992 Philippines Zone V coordinate system, subject to ground delineation and demarcation. The geographic coordinates of the control monument "LYS-7" are based on re-observed data.

The Certification from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) containing the boundaries and technical descriptions of the PIPS is hereby adopted and made an integral part of this Act. In case of inconsistency, the boundaries and technical descriptions in the attached Certification shall prevail.

Any modification of the scope and coverage of the PIPS in this Act shall be made through an act of Congress, after consultation with the government agencies and stakeholders concerned.

Section 6 Strict Protection Zone.

SEC. 6. Strict Protection Zone. - An area declared in accordance with the PIPS management plan, possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features, and species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance should be maintained to protect and to preserve nature in its undisturbed state and to preserve ecologically representative examples of the natural environment to ensure their availability for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state.

Section 7 Protected Area Management Board.

SEC. 7. Protected Area Management Board. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be created to oversee the management of the PIPS. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:

(a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region VIII, as Chairperson;

(b) Governor of the Province of Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located or a duly designated representative;

(c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered of the city or province where the PIPS is located, or their duly authorized representatives, unless the Senators decline membership in the PAMB;

(d) District Representatives of the Congressional districts where the PIPS is located, or their duly designated representatives, unless the District Representatives decline membership in the PAMB;

(e) Mayors of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo where the PIPS is located or their duly designated representatives;

(f) Chairperson of the all the barangays where the PIPS is located;

(g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies: Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of National Defense (DND), and Department of Tourism (DOT);

(h) Three (3) representatives from either NGOs or people's organizations (POs) duly accredited both by the DENR and the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte. The NGOs or POs represented should have been in existence for at least five (5) years and with track record in or related to protected area management;

(i) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the ICCs/IPs present in the area and recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);

(j) One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a university or college in the Province of Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located, with proven track record in or related to protected area management; and

(k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the Province of Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest relevant to PIPS management.

The terms of office of PAMB members, as well as the grounds for their removal, shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992", as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018".

Section 8 Powers and Functions of the PAMB.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. - The PAMB shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Oversee the management of the PIPS;

(b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other related documents for the management of the PIPS;

(c) Approve the management plan of the PIPS and ensure its harmonization with and integration into the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), land use and other development plans, public or private, and their implementation;

(d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedure in the conduct of business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of reference;

(e) Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations governing the management of the PIPS;

(f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan and manage the Protected Area Retained Income Account (PA-RIA) and other funds in accordance with government accounting, budgeting, and auditing rules and regulations;

(g) Set fees and charges in accordance with existing guidelines;

(h) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and effective means;

(i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other governing authorities including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which shall perform its mandate of regulating speed limit of all vessels plying the waters around PIPS to protect large marine animal species, including tiki tiki or whale sharks and other wildlife from injury, disturbance, and death, especially in their migratory pathway, critical feeding, and resting areas;

(j) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) and other PIPS personnel and compliance of partners with the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract, or agreement relative to any project or activity within the PIPS;

(k) Recommend the designation or appointment of the PASu from a shortlist of qualified candidates; and

(l) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the PIPS: Provided, That the members of the management board representing the LGUs and national agencies in the PAMB shall inform their respective constituents, offices, or sectors of PAMB-approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs and projects and shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations are complied with and used as reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be the basis for disciplinary action against such member according to administrative rules and regulations and such penalties as the PAMB may provide: Provided, further, That the DENR, through the Regional Executive Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between the resolution issued by the PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national application, the latter shall prevail.

Section 9 The Protected Area Management Office.

SEC. 9. The Protected Area Management Office. - There is hereby established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a PASu who shall supervise the day-to-day management, protection, and administration of the PIPS. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the PIPS

The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the management and operations of the PIPS. Pursuant to thereto, the PASU shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Prepare the management plan, including the annual work and financial plan and ensure its implementation, in consultation with stakeholders;

(b) Ensure the integration of PIPS management plan, programs, projects, and policies with relevant national and LGUs' plans and programs;

(c) Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure the availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;

(d) Formulate and recommend proposed policies, rules, regulations, and programs to the PAMB;

(e) Establish, operate, maintain a database management system which shall be an important basis for decision-making;

(f) Enforce the laws, rules, and regulations relevant to the PIPS, commence and institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other government agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of the provisions of this Act;

(g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of the PIPS;

(h) Request for and receive any technical assistance, support, or advice from any agency or instrumentality of the government as well as academic institutions, NGOs, and the private sector, as may be necessary for the effective management, protection, and administration of the PIPS;

(i) Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management plan and other permitted activities in accordance with terms, conditions, and criteria established by the PAMB: Provided, That all permits for extraction of natural resources, including collections of wildlife, and its by-products or derivatives for research purposes, shall continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the specific acts to be covered;

(j) Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for the PIPS: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other income collected and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in accordance with existing guidelines;

(k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, the approval of the annual work and financial plans of the PIPS based on the management plan; and

(l) Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.

The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and natural resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR.

Section 10 Panaon Island Protected Seascape-Integrated Area Fund.

SEC. 10. Panaon Island Protected Seascape-Integrated Area Fund. - There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape-Integrated Protected Area Fund (PIPS-IPAF) for purposes of financing projects and sustaining the operation of the PIPS and the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation and management of PIPS shall accrue to the PIPS-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of resources and facilities of the PIPS, and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the PIPS.

The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through the above means, which shall be deposited in the PA-RIA in any authorized government depository bank within the locality: Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the PIPS and implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB.

The remaining twenty-five (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the General Fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing the projects of the NIPAS.

The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowment from various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in full in a special account in the National Treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the NIPAS and for duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting, budgeting, and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the funds shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.

The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein which they have traditionally collected, such as for business permits, property tax, and rentals of LGUs' facilities.

Section 11 Appropriations.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 12 Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law.

SEC. 12. Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppletory application to this Act.

Section 13 Implementing Rules and Regulations.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with the local government of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo, the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte, and concerned national government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 14 Separability Clause.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid,other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 15 Repealing Clause.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 16 Effectivity.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

(SGD.) FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

(SGD.) FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO

Speaker of the House of Representatives

President of the Senate

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2617 on December 16, 2024 and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 9396 on February 4, 2025.

(SGD.) REGINALD S. VELASCO

(SGD.) RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.

Secretary General House of Representatives

Secretary of the Senate

Approved: AUG 29 2025

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.

President of the Philippines

Section 5 Establishment of Buffer Zones.

SEC. 5. Establishment of Buffer Zones. - The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) created under Section 7 of this Act, may designate areas surrounding the PIPS as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That in cases where restrictions the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be required to design their development with due consideration to the PIPS management plan.