Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape Act

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape Act

Title and Declaration of Policy (Sections 1-2)
• Declares the policy of the State to secure the perpetual existence of native plants and animals through protected areas under NIPAS.
• Recognizes the richness of biological resources in Mt. Pulag and declares a parcel of land in the municipalities of Kabayan, Bokod, Buguias (Benguet), Tinoc (Ifugao), and Kayapa (Nueva Vizcaya) as the Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape (MPPL).

Definition of Terms (Section 3)
• Defines key terms such as buffer zones, conservation, indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/indigenous peoples (IPs), national park, protected area, protected landscape, and tenured migrants.

Classification and Coverage (Sections 4-5)
• Classifies the MPPL as a national park under the Constitution.
• Describes the boundaries and area (11,602 hectares) of the MPPL.

Buffer Zones (Section 6)
• Allows the DENR Secretary, upon recommendation of the PAMB, to designate buffer zones around the MPPL for additional protection.

Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) (Section 7)
• Establishes the PAMB within 90 days to oversee the management of the MPPL.
• Outlines the composition of the PAMB, including representatives from government agencies, LGUs, NGOs, IPs, and the private sector.

Powers and Functions of the PAMB (Section 8)
• Lists the powers and functions of the PAMB, including approving policies, plans, and programs; allocating financial resources; setting fees and charges; issuing rules and regulations; and recommending the appointment of the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu).

Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) (Section 9)
• Establishes the PAMO headed by the PASu to manage, protect, and administer the MPPL.
• Outlines the duties and responsibilities of the PASu, including preparing management plans, enforcing laws and regulations, issuing permits, and collecting fees and charges.

Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (MPPL-IPAF) (Section 10)
• Establishes the MPPL-IPAF trust fund to finance projects of the MPPL and NIPAS.
• Outlines the sources of income for the fund, including fees, proceeds from leases, and contributions.
• Specifies the distribution of revenues (75% to the Protected Area-Retained Income Account (PA-RIA) for the MPPL, 25% to the general fund for NIPAS).

Appropriations, Implementing Rules and Regulations, Separability Clause, Repealing Clause, and Effectivity (Sections 11-16)
• Provides for appropriations, implementing rules and regulations, separability clause, repealing clause, and effectivity date of the Act.