EXPANDED LAW CREATES 94 MORE NAT’L PARKS

A landmark law signed by President Duterte in June has declared 94 protected areas as national parks that are now under government protection and management, with government resources mobilized in their conservation.

Under Republic Act No. 11038, or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act of 2018, the protected areas have been put under the control and supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Biodiversity Management Bureau.

The new law also requires the Department of Justice to appoint special prosecutors for violators of the laws, rules and regulations in the protected areas.

Some of the new and bigger protected areas under the expanded Nipas law are: Tañon Strait in Cebu and Negros Islands (534,589.05 hectares), and Ticao-Burias Pass in Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon provinces (414,244 ha);

Samar Island Natural Park in Samar (335,105.57 ha); Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte (283,974.77 ha); Turtle Island Wildlife Sanctuary in TawiTawi (242,958.29 ha); Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur; and Sarangani Bay in General Santos City (210,887.69 ha).

Also declared as protected areas are: Taal Volcano in Batangas and Cavite; Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City; the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument in Bohol; Aliwagwag Protected Landscape in Davao Oriental; Bulusan Volcano Natural Park in Sorsogon; Hinulugang Taktak falls in Rizal; Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro; Las PiñasParanaque Wetland Park; the Panglao Island Protected Seascape in Bohol; and Mt. May- on Natural Park in Albay.

Prohibited acts

Considered prohibited acts in the protected areas are: poaching and disturbing any wildlife; hunting, taking or collecting any wildlife or by-products; cutting, gathering or removing timber without permit.

Possessing or transporting any timber, forest products, wildlife or by-products; using any fishing gear and indulging in practice that destroys ma- rine life; dumping toxic chemical, untreated sewage or animal waste.

The practice of “kaingin,” or causing forest fires; damaging and leaving roads and trails; littering; possessing or using blasting caps or explosives.

Occupying or dwelling in any public land; building any structure, fence or enclosure; conducting any business enterprise without permit; and purchasing or leasing lands.

Violators face fines ranging from P50,000 to P5 million, and prison terms ranging from six to 12 years.

Government officials convicted of violating any provision of RA 11038 will also be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

According to the law, “these areas, although distinct in features, possess ecological values that may be incorporated into a holistic plan to conserve and protect our natural heritage.”

A protected area manage- ment board, composed of representatives from the DENR, Congress, the local government, and the private sector, will be tasked to approve and implement the management plan created for each protected area.

Aside from the 94 new Nipas, 113 protected areas have been previously declared national parks through presidential proclamations.

However, only 13 of them are supported by legislation under RA 11038.

—KARL SUMBELING MULTILAYERED WATERFALLS More than 130 cascading waterfalls make up Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Davao Oriental, which has been included among the 94 National Integrated Protected Areas placed under government protection. At 338 meters, Aliwagwag Falls is considered the highest and one of the most beautiful in the country.

—RICHARD A. REYES BIRD SANCTUARY Egrets are among the migratory birds that regularly flock on the waters of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, which has been added as one of 94 new National Integrated Protected Areas (Nipas), that now enjoy government protection under a newly signed law.

BEAUTY AND DANGER A family heads for the market via the Agusan Marsh in Agusan del Sur, home to giant crocodiles and one of 94 newly declared areas under government protection.