June 1, 1992

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

FIFTH REGULAR SESSION BEGUN AND HELD IN METRO MANILA, ON MONDAY,

THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF JULY, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE

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:

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, posses common ecological
values that may be incorporated into a holistic plan representative of our natural heritage; that
effective administration of this area 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 outstandingly 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:

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:

1. “National Integrated Protected Areas System (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;

2. “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;

3. “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;

4. “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;

5. “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;

6. “Natural monuments” 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;
7. “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 modern technology at their pace;

8. “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;

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

10. “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;

11. “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;

12. “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

13. “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 manipulations for their perpetuation.

SECTION 5. Establishment and Extent of the System – The establishment and

operationalization of the System shall involve the following:

1. 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;

2. 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 descriptions 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;
3. 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;

4. 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 non-suitability for preservation as
protected area and inclusion in the System according to the categories established in Section 3
hereof and report its findings to the President as soon as each study is completed. The study must
include in each area:

1. A forest occupants survey;

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:

1. Notify the public of 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;

i. Conduct public hearings at the locations nearest to the area affected;

ii. 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 hearing; and

iii. 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;

2. Upon receipt of the recommendations 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
3. 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 orders as protected
area/s.

SECTION 6. Additional Areas to be Integrated to the System. – Notwithstanding the

establishment of the initial component of the additional areas with outstanding physical features,
anthropological significance and biological diversity in accordance with the provisions of Section
5d.

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, advice
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 forests 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 prepared for each protected
area. The DENR shall exercise its authority over protected areas as provided in this Act on such
area and 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 for close coordination between and among local agencies of the
Government as well as the 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 Areas 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 by the 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:

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 violation 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 disbursements or other property in the interest of the NIPAS,
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 of 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 buildings and other structures
to be constructed in protected areas and the materials to be used;

n. Control the construction, operation and maintenance of roads, trails, waterworks, sewerage,
fire protection, and sanitation systems and other public utilities within the protected area;

o. 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

p. 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:

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 Environmental 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
so power to evict indigenous communities from their present occupancy nor resettle them to
another area without their consent: Provided, 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 for 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 endowment 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:

a. Taxes 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 Funds 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 the protected areas.
Persons arrested shall be brought to the nearest police precinct for investigation.

Nothing herein mentioned shall be construed as preventing regular law 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:
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 be required to restore or compensate for
the restoration to the damages: Provided, further, that 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 sections 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;

(SGD.) NEPTALI A. GONZALES

President of the Senate

(SGD.) RAMON V. MITRA

Speaker of the House of Representative

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 34696 and Senate Bill No. 1914 was finally
passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on February 6, 1992.

(SGD.) ANACLETO D. BADOY, JR.

Secretary of the Senate

(SGD.) CAMILO L. SABIO

Secretary General
House of Representatives

Approved: June 01 1992

(SGD.) Corazon C. Aquino

President of the Philippines