July 30, 2022
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11933
AN ACT DECLARING TWO (2) PARCELS OF LAND SITUATED WITHIN SICOGON ISLAND, MUNICIPALITY OF CARLES, IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOILO, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF WILDLIFE SANCTUARY UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE SICOGON ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
SECTION 1.Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary Act."
SECTION 2.Declaration of Policy. — Cognizant of the profound impact of human activities on all components of the natural environment, 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 declaration of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) within the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution.
In recognition...
Declaration of Policy (Section 2):
- Declares the policy to secure the perpetual existence of native plants and animals through protected areas under NIPAS.
- Recognizes the biological richness of Sicogon Island and declares two parcels as the Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary (SIWS).
- Aims to ensure conservation, protection, management, and rehabilitation of the area through cooperation.
Definitions (Section 3):
- Defines terms like buffer zones, conservation, indigenous cultural communities, national park, protected area, tenured migrants, and wildlife sanctuary.
Classification and Coverage (Sections 4-5):
- Classifies the SIWS as a national park under the Constitution.
- Provides detailed technical descriptions and boundaries of the two parcels comprising the SIWS, covering 251 hectares and 32 hectares respectively.
Buffer Zones (Section 6):
- Allows the DENR Secretary to designate buffer zones around the SIWS upon PAMB's recommendation, with restrictions on private lands.
Management Mechanisms (Sections 7-9):
- Establishes a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) within 90 days, with composition and terms specified.
- Outlines the powers and functions of the PAMB, including overseeing management, approving plans, resolving conflicts, and monitoring performance.
- Establishes a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) headed by a Protected Area Superintendent (PASu), with duties and responsibilities specified.
Proceeds and Fees (Section 10):
- Establishes the Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary Integrated Protected Area Fund (SIWS-IPAF) to finance projects.
- Specifies the sources of income for the fund, including fees, proceeds from leases, and contributions.
- Outlines the distribution of revenues, with 75% retained by PAMB and 25% for NIPAS programs.
- Allows for grants and donations to augment the fund.
Miscellaneous Provisions (Sections 11-16):
- Mandates the DENR Secretary to include implementation in the Department's program and funding in the annual budget.
- Provides for suppletory application of the NIPAS Law.
- Requires the DENR Secretary to issue implementing rules and regulations within 90 days.
- Includes separability and repealing clauses.
- Specifies the effectivity date as 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper.