RA No. 7586

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

To promote ecological values that may be incorporated into a complete plan representative of our natural heritage

To establish an effective administration of these areas is possible only through cooperation among national government, local government and concerned private organizations

To promote that the use and enjoyment of these protected areas must be consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.

Under NIPAS, all those outstanding remarkable areas and biologically important public lands classified as "protected areas".

Establishment and Extent of The System

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;

Management Plans

conduct of studies on various characteristic features and conditions of the different protected areas

adopt and enforce a land-use scheme and zoning plan and control of activities that may threaten the ecological balance

cause the preparation of and exercise the power to review all plans and proposals

promulgate rules and regulations

deputize field offices and delegate any of his powers

fix and prescribe reasonable NIPAS

fees

exact administrative fees and fines

enter into contracts &/or agreements with private entities or public agencies

accept funds, gifts or bequests of money for immediate disbursement

call on any agency or instrumentality of the government as may be necessary to accomplish the objectives and activities of the System

submit annual report

establish a uniform marker for the

System

determine the specification of the

class, type and style of buildings

of other structures to be

constructed in protected

areas and the materials to

be used

control the construction, operation and maintenance of public utilities within the protected area

control occupancy of suitable portions of the protected area

perform other functions

Representative from the autonomous regional government

1 representative each from the municipal government barangay covering the protected area and tribal community

3 representatives from non-government organizations or local community organizations

1 representative each from other departments or national government agencies

Proposals for activities which are outside the scope of the management plan for protected areas shall be subject to an environmental impact assessment 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 under the Philippines Environment Impact Assessment system.

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

mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty,

or objects of interest to cultural communities (of scenic value)

damaging and leaving roads

and trails in damaged condition

squatting, mineral locating, or otherwise occupying any land

constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosure, conducting any business enterprise without permit

leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing in ground or in bodies of water

Administration

& Management

of the System

Dumping of any waste products detriment to the protected area, or to the plants and animals or inhabitants therein

altering, removing, destroying or defacing boundary mark or signs

use of any motorized equipment without

a permit from the Management Board

PROHIBITED ACTS

RA No. 7586

DENR Secretary

is empowered to

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT BOARD

National Integrated Protected

Areas System Act

NATURAL MONUMENT

small area focused on protection of small features to protect or preserve nationally significant natural features

NATURAL BIOTIC AREA

area set aside to allow the way of life of societies living in harmony with the environment

NATURAL PARK

large area not materially altered by human activity where extractive resource uses are not allowed

PROTECTED LANDSCAPES/SEASCAPES

areas of national significance which are characterized by the harmonious interaction

of man and land

RESOURCE RESERVE

extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited area to protect natural resources of the area for future use and prevent or contain development activities

Establishment of the System

STRICT NATURE RESERVE

Definition of Terms

possessing some outstanding ecosystem of national scientific importance maintained to protect nature and maintain processes in an undisturbed state

TENURED MIGRANT COMMUNITIES

communities within protected areas

WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

area which assures the natural conditions necessary to protect nationally

significant species

NATIONAL INTEGRATED

PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEMS

(NIPAS)

There shall be general management planning strategy to serve as guide in formulating individual plans for each protected area

classification and administration of all designated

protected areas

PROTECTED AREA

identified portions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance

BUFFER ZONES

areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to designated protected areas

The management planning strategy shall also provide guidelines for the protection of indigenous cultural communities and sites and for close coordination between and among local agencies of the government and the private sector.

NATIONAL PARK

forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness

character which has been withdrawn from

settlement, occupancy or any form of

exploitation

Objectives

To recognize the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural biological and physical diversities of the environment