Lake Danao is a guitar-shaped lake on the island of Leyte, Philippines in the province of Leyte.

The lake is covering an area of 148 hectares (370 acres). It is situated in the 2,193 hectares (5,420

acres) Lake Danao National Park, which also includes the Amandiwin mountain range. The lake is 18

kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Ormoc City, half an hour drive along the San Pablo -Tongonan and

Milagro - Lake Danao roads.

It was originally named "Lake Imelda" and was declared a national park on June 2, 1972 by virtue of

presidential memorandum issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Later it was renamed and

declared as Lake Danao National Park on February 3, 1998 through Proclamation No. 1155 and is now

protected by Republic Act No. 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area System

(NIPAS) Act of 1992.[1] The lake supplies potable water to at least seven towns in Eastern Leyte

including Tacloban City [2]  as well as the source of irrigation for ricelands in some municipalities

like Dagami, Burauen, Pastrana and Tabon-tabon.

At 650 metres (2,130 ft) above sea level, Lake Danao lies on an altitude similar to Tagaytay, making the

area cooler than the average Philippine temperature.

Contents

  [hide] 

1 Origin

2 Threats

3 References

4 See also

5 External links

Origin[edit source | editbeta]

The lake is volcanic in origin and is probably a graben or depression produced by the Philippine Fault (or

Leyte Central Fault), an active fault traversing the lake area in a N-S direction. Rock formations of the

surrounding mountains include andesitic volcanic rocks of Quaternary origin in the western side, andesitic

and dacitic volcanics of Miocene origin in the southeastern portion, and intermediate volcanic sediments

of Quaternary origin in the northeastern side of the lake.[1] There are wetlands found near the lake. The

present lake could be the deepest portion of a much larger lake in the past. It was probably much larger in

the geologic past and could have included the large wetlands and marshes. Sedimentation has probably

transformed this portion of the lake into what it is today.

Threats[edit source | editbeta]

Various sectors of the local community had been studying the lake and its ecosystem. The major threat of

avifaunal species in Lake Danao Natural Park is hunting. Key informants revealed that hunters are not

only the local residents but many of them also come from other places. Birds that are mostly hunted

are hornbills, doves, and pigeons. Slash-and-burn of forest for agricultural cultivation and illegal logging

also has contributed to the degradation of some parts of the protected area.[1] Establishment of human

settlements within the park is also a serious threat. There has been recorded illegal settlements within the

vicinity of the lake that could greatly affect its ecosystem.

Locals support new management plan for Lake Danao National Park 

 

 

The city government of Ormoc and a group of farmers surrounding the lake were among the local stakeholders who have expressed support for the updated management plan for the Lake Danao National Park, it was announced by DENR-Region 8 Executive Director Manolito Ragub.

“With the people’s positive gesture, including the support committed by the Ormoc city government, we are now looking forward to implementing the plan with high hopes of attaining the pre-set goals of making the Lake Danao National Park a top tourist attraction in this part of the country,” Ragub said.

According to Ragub, the regional office initiated the revision and updating of the Lake Danao’s management plan in consonance with the thrust of DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje of making programs and projects on environmental protection and natural resources management more responsive to current concerns, and to involve a wider participation of stakeholders in the planning process.

He also stressed that the revised plan was designed to transform the 2,193 hectare- national park into a climate change resilient center of biodiversity, adding that important inputs to the new plan were the city’s Ecotourism Development Plan and the Lake Danao Site Development Plan. The original management plan was crafted sometime in 2009.

The plan also contains updates on the physical and biodiversity data of the park, new management structure and the roles of stakeholders, and financing mechanisms to ensure the park’s sustainability.

Measures to address climate change concerns, as well as management standards and guidelines were also identified to attain the plan’s six goals of biodiversity conservation, improved quality of life, eco-tourism promotion, sustainability of the park, informed lake users and waste management.

Ormoc City Tourism officer Ira Bantasan said the city government has allotted some P5 million for infrastructure and other activities at the park, adding that the on-going construction of the view deck and rest rooms will soon be completed.

She called on the village residents to help in the proper maintenance of the park’s surroundings and facilities to entice more park visitors.

Lt. Col. (Reserve) Manuel T. Escasura is all smiles as he takes his oath as full-fledged Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) before DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje (right).  Escasura started his career as a public servant at then Bureau of Forest Development (now Forest Management Bureau) in June 1981 as casual forester, and made his way up to his current post as OIC Regional Technical Director for Ecosystems Research and Development Service in DENR-CALABARZON Region.  Aside from being a licensed forester, Escasura holds a  Bachelor of Laws degree from the Philippine Law School and two master degrees -- Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and  National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines.  # 

 

Dark clouds over Lake Danao ecotourism

Lake Danao is decidedly one of the coolest places to be in the country especially during summer months and hot weekends. Its 148-hectare guitar-like shape lie in the midst of forested mountains some 700 meters above sea level, and, on any day, its deep and dark mysterious waters never fail to attract nature lovers, adventure-seekers, hikers and even cyclists who see the place as their mecca of a long hard climb on lazy Saturdays or Sundays. 

This is apparently one of the reasons why the Department of Tourism has selected the lake as one of its few ecotourist destinations in region 8. Lake Danao has largely maintained its unspoiled look, and photography enthusiasts among its stream of visitors always manage to bring home souvenir photos, one of their favorite themes being scenes of its shimmering water ranged against a background of dark blue forested mountains. These photos eventually find their way to the internet for the entire world to see. Now one hears of

Europeans planning a trip to the place to experience it and bask in its deep mysteries. 

Yet there is an evolving drama arising from among its human stakeholders that could spoil its game plan as a top ecotourist attraction. These conflicts, if unresolved, might just dampen this plan and delay its development for several more years. At the moment, the stakeholders have come to a stalemate, with neither one of the protagonists giving way to the other and nary a resolution in sight. 

According to the National Integrated Protected Area Systems (NIPAS) Law enacted in 1998, the management of the Lake Danao Park is supposed to be under a Protected Area Management Board or PAMB composed of the DENR, the LGU, Philippine National Oil Company, people’s organizations and the barangay local government and some NGOs. The law has designated a number of representatives from each group and the Ormoc City government is entitled to only one seat.

City wants more seats

Since the PAMB was convened some years ago, its DENR representatives have been quite liberal about the number of participants attending meetings and participating in the group’s deliberations – until some weeks ago when top a DENR official from the regional office, Protected Area and Wildlife Division Chief Cora Makabenta presented the approved list of representatives from the DENR central office per papers submitted to the office. Now two city kagawads, Jose Alfaro Jr., an avowed environmentalist, and Sotero Pepito can no longer sit in PAMB deliberations because, according to the DENR document, the city is entitled to only one representative, not two, much less three. 

The city could not accept that, of course, and would not take the issue sitting down. Apparently, it wants to ensure that its own tourism plans are not compromised. For one, it has already started widening the circumferential road and putting concrete slabs on a trail

near the lake so that, obviously, trekkers will get no muddy feet afterwards. According to PAMB plans, it was only going to re-establish a trail, not a pathwalk with concrete slabs. 

Earlier, the city hired a private contractor to build a viewing deck near the old DENR office. Whether or not such a deck was approved by PAMB is now immaterial. The deck exists, looking like a white ghost of concrete amidst green surroundings. With this deck, the city also constructed a number of comfort rooms to the tune of more than a million pesos. Now these comfort rooms cannot be used because, ironically, the place has no water system. Visitors have to pee against trees or hide behind bushes to unload their gall bladder.

The city has not disclosed its other tourism plans for the lake. It would not do so in a board that is dominated by POs and NGOs anyway. Its unconcealed bias against NGO presence came out in Kagawad Alfaro’s asking why there were more NGOs in the board than LGU representatives. But there are loose talks of plans to relocate the barangay site to a place outside the lake’s immediate vicinity.

Ecoli in the lake

The local residents have been largely, though unofficially, blamed for the presence of ecoli bateria, an indicator of unsanitary dumping of human wastes to the lake. This is especially alarming to the water consumers of the eastern part of Leyte who derived their drinking water from this lake’s overflow. 

The ecoli could likewise result from improper waste throwing by raft users inside a small cubicle that serve as comfort rooms. The probability of such contamination is not farfetched. Some raft users are bound to experience gastric discomforts after hours of lazing around and gorging on half-cooked fish or roasted meat in the comfort of the floating raft.

Fish kills have been likewise reported in the vicinity of the barangay elementary school where a garbage dump, a hole in the ground, has been seen to overflow on rainy days. 

The ecoli argument provides enough ammunition for the city to implementation its hush-hush relocation scheme, but so far no activity has been seen towards this. This issue is no laughing matter but one that is politically loaded. It could stir up the dormant wellspring of emotions and muddle up the issue of ecotourism all the more. 

A bit of history 

Long before the NIPAS Law was enacted in 1998, several families living near the lake had staked their claims on the fertile slopes around the lake, clearing its forests and burning felled trees to make way for small patches of kaingin farms. These claims, though untitled, range from a few hectares to some 400 hectares filed by an old family in the area. Evicting them from the site could be interpreted as evicting them from their old claims, their sources of income. Apparently, the local government does not want to touch that sensitive issue. Neither does the DENR or the PNOC for that matter. 

And so the rape of the forests around the lake continues almost unperturbed. One simply has to go beyond the lush exterior of the forest cover to find fresh clearings and new kaingin farms, young and old trees laid to waste. The city agricultural office can offer them no viable alternative, except urge them to plant cash crops for the market, using loads of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In lieu of cash crops, the city wanted the Fiber Development Authority to put up an abaca stripping machine in the area to encourage the farmers to plant abaca. 

The PNOC has likewise latched on to the abaca idea, organizing resident farmers in Lake Danao, financing their abaca nursery and helping them in their small abaca plantations. With the failure of cash crops, many farmers have converted their kaingins into profitable abaca plantations, in the process, cementing their claims on lands that are supposed to be protected conservation sites.

Unresolved issues

Now the DENR feels helpless. The problems of the farmers have made their task more complicated as it does not have any influence on the barangay residents. Technical director Ricardo Tomol himself has admitted that the DENR has to partner with the city to manage the Lake Danao natural park. In fact, a draft of a co-management agreement has been written down but its discussion has been deferred because of the representation issue brought up earlier by city council representatives Alfaro and Pepito.

Will Tomol, in his bid for co-management, buckle down to give way to the city’s demand for

more representation? Will the city even consider the idea of co-management, knowing that it has its own tourism plans for the lake? Can there be a viable ecotourism program when the rape of Lake Danao’s forests continues unperturbed? 

As it is, dark clouds hang ominously over Lake Danao that could easily prove disastrous to its ecotourism program. **

List of protected areas of the PhilippinesFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Philippine Archipelago

This is a list of protected areas of the Philippines administered by the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992. As of

2012, there are 240 protected areas in the Philippines covering a total area of 35,700 square kilometers – 11.9% of the

Philippines' total land area.[1]

Contents

[hide]

1 History

2 Classification

o 2.1 National Parks

o 2.2 Natural Parks

o 2.3 Natural Monuments

o 2.4 Protected Landscape

o 2.5 Protected Landscape and Seascape

o 2.6 Protected Seascape

o 2.7 Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuaries

o 2.8 Resource Reserves

o 2.9 Managed Resource Protected Areas

o 2.10 Marine Reserves

o 2.11 Watershed Forest Reserves

o 2.12 Natural Biotic Areas

o 2.13 Wildlife Sanctuaries

o 2.14 Wilderness Areas

3 See also

4 References

5 External links

History[edit source | edit beta ]

The first important legislation that formed the basis of the current system of national parks and protected areas in the

Philippines is the Philippine Commission Act No. 648 enacted in 1903 by the US Congress. This act authorized the Civil

Governor to "reserve for civil public purposes, and from sale or settlement, any part of the public domain not appropriated

by law for special public purposes." [2] A total of eight national reserves had been established in July 26, 1904 pursuant to

this law. These are: Lamao Forest Reserve in Bataan, Mariquina Reserve in Rizal, Angat River Reserve in Bulacan,

Caliraya Falls Reserve in Laguna, La Carlota Reserve in Negros Occidental, San Ramon Reserve in Zamboanga,

Magalang Reserve in Pampanga, and Hacienda San Antonio in Isabela.[3] In the same year, the Forest Act of 1904 (Act

No. 1148) was adopted that expanded the scope of protected areas in the Philippines.[4] Among the first of such mountain

forest reserves to be declared was Mount Maquiling declared in November 21, 1910.[5]

On February 1, 1932, the National Parks Act (Act No. 3195) was enacted that formally established the national parks

system in the country.[6] Mount Arayat became the first national park in the Philippines established in June 27, 1933

following this act.

A series of acts and legislations were passed in the next decades that aimed to further strengthen these policies, including

the Revised Forestry Code of 1975 (Presidential Decree No. 705) and Forest Administrative Order No. 7. Following

the 1987 Constitution, the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act was enacted which further enhanced the

administration and classification of protected areas, and broadened the mandate of the Department of Environment and

Natural Resources in enforcing its provisions.

Classification[edit source | edit beta ]

Protected areas in the Philippines are managed according to the following classifications described in Section 4 of the

National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS Act).

National Parks[edit source | edit beta ]

National parks refer to forest reservations essentially of natural wilderness character which have 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.

Main article: List of national parks of the Philippines

Natural Parks[edit source | edit beta ]

Natural parks are relatively large areas 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.

Apo Reef Natural Park

Mayon Volcano Natural Park

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Natural Park

Mount Kitanglad Natural Park

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

Mount Apo Natural Park

World Heritage Site or part of a World Heritage Site

Name Location Area Established

Apo Reef Mindoro Occidental15,792 ha39,023 acres

1996

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Negros Oriental8,016.05 ha19,808 acres

2000

Bicol Camarines Norte-Camarines Sur5,201 ha12,850 acres

2000

Bongsalay Masbate 244.72 ha 2000

Name Location Area Established

605 acres

Bulusan Volcano Sorsogon3,672 ha9,074 acres

2000

Kalbario-Patapat Ilocos Norte3,800 ha9,390 acres

2007

Lake Danao Leyte2,193 ha5,419 acres

1998

Mahagnao Volcano Leyte635 ha1,569 acres

1998

Mayon Volcano Albay5,775.70 ha14,272 acres

2000

Mount Apo Davao del Sur-Cotabato3,632.74 ha8,977 acres

2007

Mount Balatukan Range Misamis Oriental8,423 ha20,814 acres

2007

Mount Guiting-Guiting Romblon15,265.48 ha37,722 acres

1996

Mount Inayawan Range Lanao del Norte3,632.74 ha8,977 acres

2007

Mount Isarog Camarines Sur 10,112.35 ha 2002

Name Location Area Established

24,988 acres

Mount Kalatungan Range Bukidnon21,247.73 ha52,504 acres

2000

Mount Kanlaon Negros Occidental-Negros Oriental24,388 ha60,264 acres

1997

Mount Kitanglad Range Bukidnon31,235.19 ha77,184 acres

1996

Mount Malindang Misamis Occidental34,694 ha85,731 acres

2002

Northern Negros Negros Occidental80,454.50 ha198,807 acres

2002

Northern Sierra Madre Isabela359,486 ha888,309 acres

1997

Northwest Panay Peninsula Aklan-Antique12,009.29 ha29,676 acres

2002

Pasonanca Natural Park[7] Zamboanga del Sur12,107 ha29,917 acres

1999

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Palawan22,202 ha54,862 acres

1999

Samar Island Eastern Visayas 333,300 ha 2003

Name Location Area Established

823,602 acres

Sibalom Antique5,511.47 ha13,619 acres

2000

Tubbataha Reef Palawan97,030 ha239,766 acres

2010

Natural Monuments[edit source | edit beta ]

A natural monument 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.

Chocolate Hills Natural Monument

Name Location Area Established

Bessang Pass Ilocos Sur693.32 ha1,713 acres

2000

Chocolate Hills Bohol14,145 ha34,953 acres

1997

Salinas Nueva Vizcaya 6,675.56 ha 2000

Name Location Area Established

16,496 acres

Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Camiguin2,227.62 ha5,505 acres

2004

Protected Landscape[edit source | edit beta ]

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 recreation and tourism within the normal

lifestyle and economic activity of these areas.

Taal Volcano Protected Landscape

Mount Matutum Protected Landscape

Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape

Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape

Mount Mantalingajan Protected Landscape

Mati Protected Landscape

Mount Banahaw Protected Landscape

Name Location Area Established

Aliwagwag Davao Oriental-Compostela Valley10,491.33 ha25,925 acres

2011

Amro River Aurora6,471.08 ha15,990 acres

2000

Baganga Davao Oriental114.88 ha284 acres

2000

Bigbiga Ilocos Sur135.71 ha335 acres

2000

Buenavista Quezon284.27 ha702 acres

2000

Calbayog-Pan-as-Hayiban Samar7,832 ha19,353 acres

1998

Casecnan Cagayan Valley-Aurora88,846.80 ha219,545 acres

2000

Name Location Area Established

Central Cebu Cebu29,062 ha71,814 acres

2003

Dinadiawan River Aurora3,371.33 ha8,331 acres

2000

Hinulugang Taktak Rizal3.20 ha8 acres

2000

Jose Rizal Memorial Zamboanga del Norte439 ha1,085 acres

2000

Libunao Ilocos Sur46.70 ha115 acres

2000

Lidlidda Ilocos Sur1,157.44 ha2,860 acres

2000

Magapit Cagayan3,403.62 ha8,411 acres

2000

Mainit Hot Spring Compostela Valley1,374 ha3,395 acres

2000

Manleluag Spring Pangasinan1,935.17 ha4,782 acres

2004

Mati Davao Oriental914.26 ha2,259 acres

2005

Name Location Area Established

Maulawin Spring Quezon149.01 ha368 acres

2000

Mimbilisan Misamis Oriental66 ha163 acres

1999

Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal Quezon-Laguna10,900.59 ha26,936 acres

2009

Mount Mantalingajan Palawan120,457 ha297,656 acres

2009

Mount Matutum South Cotabato15,600 ha38,548 acres

1995

Mounts Palay-Palay - Mataas-na-Gulod Cavite-Batangas3,973.13 ha9,818 acres

2007

Mount Timolan Zamboanga del Sur1,994.80 ha4,929 acres

2000

Pamitinan Rizal600 ha1,483 acres

1996

Quezon Quezon938 ha2,318 acres

2003

Quirino Quirino164,364.46 ha406,153 acres

2005

Name Location Area Established

Rajah Sikatuna Bohol10,452.60 ha25,829 acres

2000

Roosevelt Bataan786.04 ha1,942 acres

2000

Santa Lucia Ilocos Sur174.16 ha430 acres

2000

Simbahan-Talagas Aurora2,266.49 ha5,601 acres

2000

Taal Volcano Batangas62,292.14 ha153,927 acres

1996

Talaytay Aurora3,526.29 ha8,714 acres

2000

Upper Marikina River Basin Rizal26,125.64 ha64,558 acres

2011

Protected Landscape and Seascape[edit source | edit beta ]

Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape

Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape

Great Santa Cruz Island Protected Landscape and Seascape

Guiuan Protected Landscape and Seascape

Name Location Area Established

Agoo-Damortis La Union 10,513.30 ha 2000

Name Location Area Established

25,979 acres

Alburquerque-Loay-Loboc Bohol1,164.16 ha2,877 acres

1999

Aliguay Island Zamboanga del Norte1,191.89 ha2,945 acres

1999

Apo Island Negros Oriental691.45 ha1,709 acres

1994

Baliangao Misamis Occidental295 ha729 acres

2000

Batanes Batanes213,578 ha527,763 acres

1994

Biri Larosa Northern Samar33,492 ha82,761 acres

2000

Cuatro Islas Leyte12,500 ha30,888 acres

2000

Dumanquilas Zamboanga del Sur25,948 ha64,119 acres

1999

Great and Little Santa Cruz Islands Zamboanga del Sur1,877 ha4,638 acres

2000

Guiuan Eastern Samar 60,448 ha 1994

Name Location Area Established

149,370 acres

Initao-Libertad Misamis Oriental800.45 ha1,978 acres

2002

Mabini Compostela Valley6,106 ha15,088 acres

2000

Malabungot Camarines Sur120.62 ha298 acres

2000

Malampaya Palawan200,115 ha494,495 acres

2000

Murcielagos Island Zamboanga del Norte151 ha373 acres

2000

Peñablanca Cagayan118,781.58 ha293,516 acres

2003

Pujada Bay Davao Oriental21,200 ha52,386 acres

1994

Selinog Island Zamboanga del Norte1,294.35 ha3,198 acres

2000

Siargao Island Surigao del Norte278,914.13 ha689,212 acres

1996

Talibon Islands Bohol 6,456.87 ha 1999

Name Location Area Established

15,955 acres

Protected Seascape[edit source | edit beta ]

Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape

Name Location Area Established

Panglao Island Bohol385.67 ha953 acres

2003

Sarangani Bay Sarangani215,950 ha533,624 acres

1996

Tañon Strait Cebu-Negros Oriental450 ha1,112 acres

1998

Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuaries[edit source | edit beta ]

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.

Olango Island Bird Sanctuary

Name Location Area Established

Calauit Safari Park Palawan3,400 ha8,402 acres

1976

Calavite and FB Harrison Mindoro Occidental121,983.81 ha301,429 acres

1920

Lake Buluan Cotabato6,300 ha15,568 acres

2006

Lake Malimanga Zambales12.35 ha31 acres

1980

Olango Island Cebu920 ha2,273 acres

1992

Palawan Palawan761,416 ha1,881,500 acres

1967

Resource Reserves[edit source | edit beta ]

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.

Name Location Area Established

Siocon Zamboanga del Norte793.74 ha1,961 acres

1999

Upper Agno River Basin Cordillera-Nueva Vizcaya77,561 ha191,657 acres

2000

Managed Resource Protected Areas[edit source | edit beta ]

El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area

Name Location Area Established

El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area Palawan89,134.76 ha

220,257 acres

1998

MALACAÑANGMANILA

PROCLAMATION NO. 1155

DECLARING LAKE DANAO AND ITS VICINITIES SITUATED IN THE CITY OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AS PROTECTED AREA PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586 (NIPAS ACT OF 1992) AND SHALL BE KNOWN AS LAKE DANAO NATURAL PARK

Upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and pursuant to the powers vested upon me by law, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby set aside and declare Lake Danao and its vicinities situated in the City of Ormoc, Province of Leyte, as Protected Area under the category of Natural Park, subject to prior private rights, if any, as described in DENR NIPAS Map No. RO8 – 3:

Beginning at point marked 1 on DENR NIPAS Map No. RO8-3 is identical to corner 2, Block VII (A&D), project No. 10-B or about 1,450 m. N., 82º 30′ from road junction to Brgy. Cabacahan and Cabadyangan;

thence S. 52º 00′ E., 610.00 m. to point 2;

thence following dry creek upstream in a general southwesterly direction about 670 m. to point 3;

thence S. 85º 00′ E., 260.00 m. to point 4;

thence S. 49º 00′ E., 200.00 m. to point 5,

thence S. 68º 00′ E., 240.00 m. to point 6;

thence S. 36º 00′ E., 200.00 m. to point 7,

thence S. 48º 00′ E., 200.00 m. to point 8,

thence S. 45º 00′ E., 250.00 m. to point 9,

thence S. 71º 00′ E., 220.00 m. to point 10;

thence N. 63º 00′ E., 190.00 m. to point 11;

thence S. 86º 00′ E., 190.00 m. to point 12;

thence N. 67º 00′ E., 140.00 m. to point 13;

thence N. 67º 00′ E., 140.00 m. to point 14;

thence following Hagimit Creek downstream in a general southeasterly direction about 450.00 m. to point 15;

thence S. 89º 00′ E., 290.00 m. to point 16;

thence N. 26º 00′ W., 120.00 m. to point 17;

thence N. 08º 00′ W., 310.00 m. to point 18;

thence N. 70º 00′ E., 470.00 m. to point 19;

thence following Casulgan River, downstream in a general southeasterly direction about 1,470.00 m. to point 20;

thence following Casulgan River, downstream in a general southeasterly direction about 550.00 m. to point 21;

thence following Casulgan River, downstream in a general southeasterly direction about 2,000.00 m. to point 22;

thence following Binahaan River, upstream in a general southeasterly direction about 960.00 m. to point 23;

thence following Inawasan River, upstream in a general southwesterly direction about 1,180.00 m. to point 24;

thence following Inawasan River, upstream in a general northwesterly direction about 940.00 m. to point 25;

thence following Cumaguisan Creek, upstream in a general southwesterly direction about 1,360.00 m. to point 26;

thence following Cumaguisan Creek, upstream in a general southwesterly direction about 900.00 m. to point 27;

thence S. 63º 00′ W., 140.00 m. to point 28;

thence S. 49º 00′ W., 350.00 m. to point 29;

thence S. 86º 00′ W., 410.00 m. to point 30;

thence S. 75º 00′ W., 280.00 m. to point 31;

thence S. 88º 00′ W., 300.00 m. to point 32;

thence N. 32º 00′ W., 240.00 m. to point 33;

thence N. 89º 00′ W., 280.00 m. to point 34;

thence N. 59º 00′ W., 220.00 m. to point 35;

thence N. 87º 00′ W., 160.00 m. to point 36;

thence N. 45º 00′ W., 320.00 m. to point 37;

thence N. 32º 00′ W., 340.00 m. to point 38;

thence N. 43º 00′ W., 200.00 m. to point 39;

thence N. 86º 00′ W., 280.00 m. to point 40;

thence N. 23º 00′ W., 300.00 m. to point 41;

thence N. 39º 00′ W., 300.00 m. to point 42;

thence N. 33º 00′ W., 220.00 m. to point 43;

thence N. 68º 00′ W., 220.00 m. to point 44;

thence N. 35º 00′ W., 260.00 m. to point 45;

thence N. 51º 00′ W., 280.00 m. to point 46;

thence N. 75º 00′ W., 120.00 m. to point 47;

thence N. 36º 00′ W., 120.00 m. to point 48;

thence Due North, 250.00 m. to point 49;

thence N. 65º 00′ W., 200.00 m. to point 50;

thence N. 45º 00′ W., 180.00 m. to point 51;

thence N. 22º 00′ E., 220.00 m. to point 52;

thence N. 70º 00′ E., 300.00 m. to point 53;

thence N. 20º 00′ E., 90.00 m. to point 54;

thence N. 20º 00′ W., 380.00 m. to point 55;

thence following Manislag Creek, downstream in a general northwesterly direction about 650.00 m. to point 56;

thence Due North, 250.00 m. to point 57;

thence N. 78º 00′ E., 270.00 m. to point 58;

thence N. 14º 00′ E., 140.00 m. to point 59;

thence N. 69º 00′ W., 280.00 m. to point 60;

thence Due North, 220.00 m. to point 61;

thence N. 45º 00′ E., 100.00 m. to point 62;

thence Due North, 320.00 m. to point 63;

thence N. 08º 00′ E., 280.00 m. to point 64;

thence N. 47º 00′ E., 250.00 m. to point 65;

thence N. 52º 00′ E., 330.00 m. to point 66;

thence N. 09º 00′ W., 560.00 m. to point 1; point of beginning.

Containing an area of TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED NINETY THREE (2,193) HECTARES, more or less, subject to actual ground survey.

It shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and shall be administered in accordance with Republic Act No. 7586 and its implementing rules and regulations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of February in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

By the President:(Sgd.) ALEXANDER P. AGUIRREActing Executive Secretary

National Integrated Protected Areas System Law (RA 7586)Date signed into law : 1992

Summary

:

The NIPAS law is about the classification and administration of all protected areas in the country. Among its salient features are: the addition of new classifications of protected areas to those provided in the existing law, for instance, the addition of protected seascapes and landscapes, natural monuments, natural biotic areas and resource reserves. The new classification broadens the system and substantially increases its scope and management option. There is also a strict requirement on management plans. Another is the delineation of types of activities within a protected area. The law distinguishes between activities that are generally prohibited and those which may be regulated through a special permit, license or open access as long as they are consistent with the objectives of the area and specific management needs as defined in the area?s management plans. There is also a provision in relation to safeguards to ensure that activities undertaken in areas immediately adjacent to designated protected areas will not result in negative impacts within the protected area. The recognition of ancestral land within protected areas and customary rights over them are also given importance. It also provides for a two-tiered management plan.

Institutional Arrangements

:

Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); DENR Protected Area and Wildlife Division in regions where protected areas are established; Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) composed of representatives from various local stakeholders formally appointed by the DENR Secretary.

Issues (to be addressed) :

lack of government willingness to enforce the law; lack of public awareness - ignorance of requirements and how to meet the requirements; lack of management systems in place for compliance

Sanctions

:

Fines in the amount of less than five thousand pesos nor more than five hundred thousand pesos, exclusive of the value of the thing damaged or imprisonment for not less than one year but not more than six 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 also be required to restore or compensate for the restoration of the damage. Provided further that the Court shall order the eviction of the offender from the land and the forfeiture 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 that the DENR may impose administrative fines and penalties consistent with this Act.

Republic Act 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 provides the legal framework for the establishment and management of protected areas in the Philippines.  The Law defines protected areas as the identified portions of land and/or water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploration. The establishment and management of protected areas are part of the international commitments signed by the Philippine Government such Convention on Biological Diversity, Ramsar Convention, World Heritage Convention, Convention on Migratory Species, and the ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

The implementation of the NIPAS Act is currently on its 19th year. It is implemented originally through DENR Administrative Order No. 25, Series of 1992. The said DENR Administrative Order was amended pursuant to DAO 2008-26 dated 24 December 2008.  This Administrative Order sets the procedures for the establishment, administration, management and development of the System.

The NIPAS Act identified 202 initial components comprising of proclaimed national parks, game refuge and wildlife sanctuaries, nature reserves, wilderness areas, mangrove reserves, watershed reservations, fish sanctuaries, protected landscapes and seascapes, among others prior to the effectivity of the NIPAS Act.  The identified initial components of NIPAS cover an approximate area of 2.57 million hectares.  These areas will be maintained as part of the NIPAS until such time that they are finally assessed as to their suitability for inclusion to the System.  There are one hundred twelve (112) protected areas formally proclaimed by the President under the System covering 3.54 million hectares. Seventy (70) out of the 112 are initial components with an area of 1.97 million hectares and forty-two (42)additional areas with an area of 1.57 million hectares.  Of the 112 proclaimed protected areas, 29 are marine protected areas with a total area of 1.37 million hectares while 83 are terrestrial protected areas covering an area of2.17 million hectares.

Nine (9) of the initial components and four (4) additional areas have specific laws for their establishment under the System. These are Batanes Island Protected Landscape and Seascape-R2, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park-R2, Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape-R4A, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park-R4B, Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park-R6, Sagay Marine Reserve-R6,Central Cebu Protected Landscape-R7, Mimbilisan Protected Landscape-R10,Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area-R10, Mt. Malindang Natural Park-R10, Mt. Apo Natural Park-R11, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary-R11 andBangan Hill Natural Park-R2.

In terms of administration, the NIPAS Act requires the creation of respective Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) which is a multi-sectoral and decision making body for each of the protected area established under the NIPAS.  As of June 2011, there are one hundred seventy-eight (178)protected areas with organized/appointed Management Boards: 97 PAs with PAMB are proclaimed under the NIPAS (65 PAs are initial components and 32PAs are additional areas). Out of the 97 proclaimed PAs with PAMB, 2 are under the management of Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and City Government of Puerto Princesa, 1 is under the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB). On the other hand, out of the 178protected areas with PAMB, 73 protected areas are unproclaimed initial components and 8 are proposed areas for proclamation under the NIPAS.

With regard to the financing of the System, there are one hundred and forty-nine (149) protected areas with established Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF), of which 95 protected areas have active IPAF collections and utilization.  As of June 2011, a total income of Php 204,824,951.22has been generated by the System.  On the same period, a total amount ofPhp 127,212,987.51 was utilized.

Furthermore, there were sixty-eight (68) support policies issued by the DENR including the newly approved Revised IRR of the NIPAS Act.

In recognition of the importance of the biological diversity of the Philippines, several protected areas have been designated as World Heritage Sites (Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park), Ramsar Sites (Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park), Transboundary Protected Areas (Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary) and the ASEAN Heritage Parks (Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park and Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park).

Facts and Figures

Maps