SEC. 5. Establishment of a Buffer Zone. — An area for the exploration, development, and utilization of geothermal energy resources as well as other exploration activities is hereby established as the buffer zone with the following technical description:
Beginning at a point marked "1" on plan, being S 66° 25'43.616" E, 2591.09 meters from PBM No. 29, Bago City;
Thence, N 00° 10' 00.061" E
256.43 meters to point 2;
Thence, S 87° 26' 00.162" E
515.04 meters to point 3;
Thence, N 17° 09' 59.953" W
177.00 meters to point 4;
Thence, N 21° 05' 00.265" E
263.15 meters to point 5;
Thence, N 65° 20' 59.849" W
392.21 meters to point 6;
Thence, N 48° 20' 59.842" E
57.37 meters to point 7;
Thence, N 33° 07' 00.409" E
240.19 meters to point 8;
Thence, S 21° 32' 59.909" E
173.62 meters to point 9;
Thence, N 56° 38' 59.926" E
157.30 meters to point 10;
Thence, N 32° 51' 59.773" W
52.80 meters to point 11;
Thence, N 71° 59' 59.632" E
100.00 meters to point 12;
Thence, N 71° 20' 00.116" E
243.76 meters to point 13;
Thence, N 13° 36' 59.826" W
156.11 meters to point 14;
Thence, N 58° 32' 52.757" E
9.68 meters to point 15;
Thence, S 88° 55' 58.078" E
47.57 meters to point 16;
Thence, S 75° 03' 03.400" E
35.99 meters to point 17;
Thence, S 63° 08' 01.688" E
63.90 meters to point 18;
Thence, N 80° 52' 00.810" E
137.48 meters to point 19;
Thence, N 73° 59' 00.477" E
92.71 meters to point 20;
Thence, N 36° 49' 58.981" E
56.60 meters to point 21;
Thence, N 21° 22' 59.083" E
17.32 meters to point 22;
Thence, N 57° 18' 05.766" E
878.88 meters to point 23;
Thence, S 60° 51' 00.585" E
599.55 meters to point 24;
Thence, S 29° 08' 58.590" W
751.54 meters to point 25;
Thence, N 60° 16' 00.976" W
673.44 meters to point 26;
Thence, S 27° 37' 59.013" W
1,051.62 meters to point 27;
Thence, S 87° 28' 57.536" W
410.05 meters to point 28;
Thence, S 18° 30' 00.110" E
579.07 meters to point 29;
Thence, N 71° 26' 59.347" W
888.69 meters to the point
of beginning; containing an area of one hundred sixty-nine (169) hectares, more or less.
Any geothermal exploration for or development of energy or mineral resources within the MKNP shall not be allowed except by an Act of Congress. Moreover, permits for geothermal activities shall be pursuant to relevant forestry and environmental regulations: Provided, That areas within the buffer zone which shall not be used directly for the development and utilization of geothermal energy shall remain under the control and jurisdiction ofthePAMB.
The proponent of the geothermal project shall contribute to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) to be established by the DENR pursuant to the NIPAS Act and pertinent DENR rules and regulations. Moreover, the PAMB of the MKNP shall be represented in the multi-partite environmental monitoring committee for the geothermal operation undertaken within the buffer zone subject to Presidential Decree No. 1586 or the Environmental Impact Statement System, DENR Administrative Order 96-37, Series of 1996 (Strengthening the Implementation of the Environmental Impact Statement System), and pertinent DENR rules and regulations.