Republic Act No. 11687

AN ACT DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF GREGORIO DEL PILAR, QUIRINO, SIGAY, CERVANTES, AND SUYO IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE TIRAD PASS PROTECTED LANDSCAPE, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Tirad Pass Protected Landscape 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 of the richness of the biological resources, both flora and fauna, that are native and distinct to Tirad Pass National Park, as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land located in the municipalities of Gregorio del Pilar, Quirino, Sigay, Cervantes, and Suyo, in the Province of Ilocos Sur is hereby declared a protected area with the category of protected landscape, and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Tirad Pass Protected Landscape (TPPL). As such, the State shall ensure the conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that effective administration of this area is possible only through cooperation among national government, local government units (LGUs), concerned nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private entities and local communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.

Towards this end, the State shall ensure the full implementation of this Act, the mobilization of resources for the institutional mechanisms herein established, and the full scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystems, culture and indigenous practices.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Buffer zones refer to identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to designated protected areas that need special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area;

(b) Conservation refers to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of habitats;

(c) Indigenous cultural communities/Indigenous peoples refer 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;

(d) National park refers to land of the public domain classified as such in the Constitution which includes all areas under the NIPAS, primarily designated for the conservation of native plants and animals, their associated habitats and cultural diversity;

(e) Protected area refers to an identified portion of land and water set aside by reason of its unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation;

(f) Protected landscape refers to an area of national significance which is characterized by the harmonious interaction of human, land, and water while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation, tourism, and other economic activities; and

(g) Tenured migrants refer to protected area occupants who have been actually, continuously and presently occupying a portion of the protected area for five (5) years before the proclamation or law establishing the same as a protected area, and are solely dependent therein for subsistence.

Section 4. Classification as a National Park. - The TPPL is comprised of a parcel of land of the public domain located in the municipalities of Gregorio del Pilar, Quirino, Sigay, Cervantes, and Suyo, Province of Ilocos Sur. All land of the public domain within the coverage and scope of the TPPL shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for in Articles XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.

Section 5. Scope and Coverage. - The boundaries of the Tirad Pass Protected Landscape are more particularly described as the area beginning at a point marked "1" on the Map, being S 85 43' 7" E, 1367.107 meters from PRS92 Control Monument "ILS 27" with geographic coordinates 17 08'59.33395" Latitude, and 120 36'31.07504" Longitude located in Barangay Poblacion, Municipality of Gregorio ddel Pilar, Province of Ilocos Sur,

thence	N 44-02-32 E	227.818	meters to corner 2;
thence	S 59-30-44 E	116.844	meters to corner 3;
thence	N 20-46-58 E	125.195	meters to corner 4;
thence	N 21-45-27 E	356.678	meters to corner 5;
thence	N 52-38-39 E	138.796	meters to corner 6;
thence	S 56-07-03 E	1782.278	meters to corner 7;
thence	S 52-18-15 E	1210.577	meters to corner 8;
thence	S 39-11-03 E	257.259	meters to corner 9;
thence	S 44-41-12 E	456.318	meters to corner 10;
thence	S 25-54-01 E	335.261	meters to corner 11;
thence	S 33-14-14 E	224.950	meters to corner 12;
thence	S 06-41-04 W	641.198	meters to corner 13;
thence	S 72-00-53 E	363.724	meters to corner 14;
thence	S 29-45-56 E	344.445	meters to corner 15;
thence	S 66-09-40 E	94.021	meters to corner 16;
thence	N 67-06-34 E	97.693	meters to corner 17;
thence	S 19-51-19 E	497.579	meters to corner 18;
thence	S 41-54-05 E	248.558	meters to corner 19;
thence	S 03-51-30 E	430.977	meters to corner 20;
thence	N 80-59-29 E	166.048	meters to corner 21;
thence	S 22-48-36 W	308.237	meters to corner 22;
thence	S 42-40-07 E	140.317	meters to corner 23;
thence	S 37-39-54 W	287.745	meters to corner 24;
thence	S 88-13-08 W	197.761	meters to corner 25;
thence	S 02-33-41 E	194.442	meters to corner 26;
thence	N 89-27-30 E	213.683	meters to corner 27;
thence	S 25-31-00 W	412.901	meters to corner 28;
thence	S 65-33-11 E	125.549	meters to corner 29;
thence	S 13-02-14 W	237.568	meters to corner 30;
thence	S 82-31-02 W	257.792	meters to corner 31;
thence	S 22-16-04 W	385.848	meters to corner 32;
thence	N 49-23-45 W	302.030	meters to corner 33;
thence	S 40-09-37 W	373.912	meters to corner 34;
thence	S 16-45-54 W	146.104	meters to corner 35;
thence	N 60-19-54 W	226.473	meters to corner 36;
thence	S 23-29-34 W	289.611	meters to corner 37;
thence	S 41-37-14 W	253.711	meters to corner 38;
thence	S 08-44-48 E	324.396	meters to corner 39;
thence	S 43-50-21 W	214.204	meters to corner 40;
thence	N 64-47-13 W	437.836	meters to corner 41;
thence	S 87-39-46 W	98.082	meters to corner 42;
thence	S 57-05-41 W	141.739	meters to corner 43;
thence	S 58-07-29 W	140.132	meters to corner 44;
thence	S 79-39-48 W	161.623	meters to corner 45;
thence	N 45-44-47 W	434.200	meters to corner 46;
thence	N 64-30-21 W	239.301	meters to corner 47;
thence	S 19-52-09 W	214.786	meters to corner 48;
thence	S 06-20-25 W	226.385	meters to corner 49;
thence	S 33-33-24 W	595.195	meters to corner 50;
thence	S 09-12-15 E	130.737	meters to corner 51;
thence	S 09-12-15 E	88.080	meters to corner 52;
thence	S 69-30-27 E	317.065	meters to corner 53;
thence	N 79-20-02 E	226.921	meters to corner 54;
thence	S 08-38-26 E	206.342	meters to corner 55;
thence	S 31-31-37 E	139.607	meters to corner 56;
thence	S 00-00-00 E	405.000	meters to corner 57;
thence	S 90-00-00 E	111.000	meters to corner 58;
thence	S 11-23-51 E	965.919	meters to corner 59;
thence	S 04-14-32 W	1822.195	meters to corner 60;
thence	S 41-09-46 W	710.772	meters to corner 61;
thence	S 07-00-41 E	531.548	meters to corner 62;
thence	S 03-32.19 W	8.616	meters to corner 63;
thence	S 33-02-33 W	611.722	meters to corner 64;
thence	S 30-50-20 E	743.392	meters to corner 65;
thence	S 17-23-45 E	641.781	meters to corner 66;
thence	S 36-36-32 W	568.094	meters to corner 67;
thence	S 23-26-06 W	621.528	meters to corner 68;
thence	S 29-03-33 E	707.831	meters to corner 69;
thence	S 39-48-20 E	429.564	meters to corner 70;
thence	S 46-50-22 E	638.847	meters to corner 71;
thence	S 30-54-08 E	319.331	meters to corner 72;
thence	S 59-47-09 E	681.594	meters to corner 73;
thence	S 13-41-48 E	654.615	meters to corner 74;
thence	S 02-36-51 E	1082.909	meters to corner 75;
thence	S 65-34-04 W	683.643	meters to corner 76;
thence	S 23-13-11 W	509.740	meters to corner 77;
thence	N 76-18-25 W	403.840	meters to corner 78;
thence	S 45-20-29 W	230.699	meters to corner 79;
thence	N 54-35-37 W	93.133	meters to corner 80;
thence	N 65-10-33 W	196.743	meters to corner 81;
thence	N 28-29-02 W	150.628	meters to corner 82;
thence	N 40-00-53 W	67.820	meters to corner 83;
thence	S 27-19-10 W	155.820	meters to corner 84;
thence	S 01-23-04 W	173.446	meters to corner 85;
thence	S 42-12-04 W	163.916	meters to corner 86;
thence	S 00-05-35 E	190.863	meters to corner 87;
thence	S 10-14-59 E	134.626	meters to corner 88;
thence	N 60-43-40 W	227.650	meters to corner 89;
thence	N 40-03-39 W	152.107	meters to corner 90;
thence	S 52-00-43 W	67.246	meters to corner 91;
thence	N 53-50-35 W	100.671	meters to corner 92;
thence	S 46-40-07 W	95.516	meters to corner 93;
thence	S 16-53-49 E	104.093	meters to corner 94;
thence	S 52-08-24 W	118.715	meters to corner 95;
thence	N 04-39-11 E	242.859	meters to corner 96;
thence	N 19-15-35 E	174.268	meters to corner 97;
thence	N 61-21-28 W	144.058	meters to corner 98;
thence	N 44-41-21 W	121.142	meters to corner 99;
thence	N 35-06-06 W	88.861	meters to corner 100;
thence	N 21-10-52 W	112.354	meters to corner 101;
thence	N 32-06-02 W	83.828	meters to corner 102;
thence	N 24-00-29 E	96.793	meters to corner 103;
thence	N 85-54-14 W	176.315	meters to corner 104;
thence	N 58-39-42 W	142.133	meters to corner 105;
thence	N 17-42-33 W	143.368	meters to corner 106;
thence	S 75-50-18 W	200.043	meters to corner 107;
thence	S 40-13-29 W	213.705	meters to corner 108;
thence	N 80-39-20 W	146.263	meters to corner 109;
thence	S 12-33-17 E	171.398	meters to corner 110;
thence	S 63-45-07 W	89.223	meters to corner 111;
thence	N 73-30-58 W	220.298	meters to corner 112;
thence	S 48-15-39 W	149.828	meters to corner 113;
thence	N 12-33-20 W	144.711	meters to corner 114;
thence	N 59-39-48 W	439.027	meters to corner 115;
thence	S 63-51-50 W	171.012	meters to corner 116;
thence	N 79-47-03 W	606.216	meters to corner 117;
thence	N 18-32-17 E	266.403	meters to corner 118;
thence	N 53-40-33 W	196.582	meters to corner 119;
thence	N 44-10-45 W	243.443	meters to corner 120;
thence	N 71-50-52 W	122.725	meters to corner 121;
thence	N 89-58-46 W	180.060	meters to corner 122;
thence	N 21-31-03 W	324.763	meters to corner 123;
thence	N 49-13-04 W	240.360	meters to corner 124;
thence	N 18-06-30 W	221.996	meters to corner 125;
thence	N 10-23-51 W	221.639	meters to corner 126;
thence	N 02-56-36 W	564.745	meters to corner 127;
thence	N 37-14-05 W	219.804	meters to corner 128;
thence	N 28-12-15 W	281.412	meters to corner 129;
thence	N 26-11-26 W	342.126	meters to corner 130;
thence	N 47-01-32 W	220.048	meters to corner 131;
thence	N 31-13-55 W	219.864	meters to corner 132;
thence	N 29-47-03 W	541.536	meters to corner 133;
thence	N 09-23-54 E	382.712	meters to corner 134;
thence	N 46-38-38 E	618.216	meters to corner 135;
thence	N 28-39-28 E	804.854	meters to corner 136;
thence	N 28-04-48 E	853.572	meters to corner 137;
thence	N 51-08-33 E	1719.691	meters to corner 138;
thence	S 83-42-13 E	377.488	meters to corner 139;
thence	N 60-12-49 E	342.212	meters to corner 140;
thence	N 20-08-58 E	676.398	meters to corner 141;
thence	N 15-12-32 W	588.137	meters to corner 142;
thence	N 05-38-07 W	629.634	meters to corner 143;
thence	N 02-21-58 W	363.310	meters to corner 144;
thence	N 15-19-17 W	302.761	meters to corner 145;
thence	N 07-18-04 W	9.262	meters to corner 146;
thence	N 07-18-04 W	313.354	meters to corner 147;
thence	N 13-23-07 W	362.857	meters to corner 148;
thence	N 13-33-09 E	431.001	meters to corner 149;
thence	N 28-27-01 W	762.473	meters to corner 150;
thence	N 52-32-39 E	133.981	meters to corner 151;
thence	N 37-32-21 E	160.295	meters to corner 152;
thence	N 84-25-15 E	120.048	meters to corner 153;
thence	N 00-24-51 W	240.098	meters to corner 154;
thence	N 74-24-49 W	280.119	meters to corner 155;
thence	N 21-35-11 E	130.060	meters to corner 156;
thence	N 18-24-42 W	130.056	meters to corner 157;
thence	N 03-24-48 W	240.106	meters to corner 158;
thence	N 03-23-48 W	320.135	meters to corner 159;
thence	N 14-01-18 W	437.673	meters to corner 160;
thence	N 21-09-06 W	180.136	meters to corner 161;
thence	N 12-16-33 W	663.163	meters to corner 162;
thence	N 14-31-19 E	240.785	meters to corner 163;
thence	N 09-53-57 W	531.817	meters to corner 164;
thence	N 20-46-06 W	473.786	meters to corner 165;
thence	N 57-04-38 E	263.715	meters to corner 166;
thence	N 04-44-48 W	922.833	meters to corner 167;
thence	N 37-06-01 E	326.504	meters to corner 168;
thence	N 32-52-17 E	143.364	meters to corner 169;
thence	N 09-38-44 E	172.210	meters to corner 170;
thence	N 39-51-58 E	177.680	meters to corner 171;
thence	N 13-34-31 W	178.922	meters to corner 172;
thence	N 55-09-05 W	304.805	meters to corner 173;
thence	N 25-30-40 E	356.712	meters to corner 174;
thence	N 39-20-06 E	265.045	meters to corner 175;
thence	N 76-28-50 E	188.215	meters to corner 176;
thence	N 06-48-07 E	278.989	meters to corner 177;
thence	N 02-28-24 E	300.255	meters to corner 178;
thence	N 17-56-15 E	234.398	meters to corner 179;
thence	S 61-59-30 E	74.047	meters to corner 180;
thence	N 09-52-54 E	156.732	meters to corner 181;
thence	N 42-33-05 W	115.593	meters to corner 182;
thence	N 67-59-05 E	70.070	meters to corner 183;
thence	S 62-37-02 E	90.479	meters to corner 184;
thence	S 33-30-35 E	109.046	meters to corner 185;
thence	S 69-46-14 E	218.818	meters to corner 186;
thence	N 51-45-06 E	95.208	meters to corner 187;
thence	N 13-06-04 W	203.545	meters to corner 188;
thence	N 16-33-00 W	109.182	meters to corner 189;
thence	N 55-07-53 W	106.944	meters to corner 190;
thence	N 83-54-46 W	74.333	meters to corner 191;
thence	N 34-10-45 W	201.260	meters to corner 1,

the point of beginning, containing an area of seven thousand five hundred seven and 60/100 (7,507.60) hectares, more or less.

Section 6. Establishment of Buffer Zones. - The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), created under Section 7 of this Act, may designate areas surrounding the TPPL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That, in cases where the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be required to design their development with due consideration to the protected area management plan.

ARTICLE II MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS

Section 7. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be created to oversee the management of the TPPL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:

(a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region I, as Chairperson;

(b) Governor of the Province of Ilocos Sur or his/her duly authorized representative;

(c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents of Ilocos Sur, or their duly designated representatives, unless the Senators decline membership in the PAMB;

(d) District Representatives of the Congressional Districts where the TPPL is located, or their duly designated representatives, unless the District Representatives decline the membership in the PAMB;

(e) Mayors of the municipalities of Gregorio del Pilar, Quirino, Sigay, Cervantes, and Suyo in the Province of Ilocos Sur or their duly authorized representatives;

(f) Chairpersons of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the TPPL;

(g) Regional Directors of the following governing agencies, namely: the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Science and technology (DOST), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP);

(h) Three (3) representatives from either nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or people's organizations (POs), based in the Province of Ilocos Sur, duly accredited both by the DENR and the provincial government. The NGOs or POs represented should have been existence for at least five (5) years and with track record in or in related to protected area management;

(i) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the indigenous cultural community (ICC)/indigenous people (IP) present in the area and recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);

(j) One (1) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a university or college in the Province of Ilocos Sur, with proven track record in or related to protected area management; and

(k) One (1) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of the Province of Ilocos Sur, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest relevant to the protected area management.

The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, or the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992", as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, or the "Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018".

Section 8. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. - The PAMB shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Oversee the management of the TPPL;

(b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other related documents for the management of the TPPLs;

(c) Approve the management plan of the TPPL and ensure its harmonization and integration with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan, land use plan and other development plan, public or private, and its implementation;

(d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedures in the conduct of business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of reference;

(e) Recommend the deputation of appropriate agencies and individuals for the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the management of the TPPL;

(f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan and manage the Protected Area Retention Income Account and other funds in accordance with the accounting and budgeting rules and regulations;

(g) Set fees and charges in accordance with existing guidelines;

(h) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and effective means;

(i) Recommend appropriate policy changes to the DENR and other government authorities with respect to the management of the TPPL;

(j) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) and other TPPL personnel and compliance of partners with the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract or agreement relative to any project or activity within the TPPL;

(k) Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation or appointment of the PASu; and

(l) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the TPPL: Provided, That the members of the PAMB representing the LGUs and national agencies shall inform their respective constituents, offices or sectors, of PAMB-approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, and projects and shall ensure that the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations issued to implement it are complied with and used as reference and framework in their respective plans, policies, programs, and projects. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall be the basis for disciplinary action against such member according to administrative rules and regulations and such penalties as the PAMB may provide: Provided, further, That the DENR, through the Regional Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions issued by the PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national application, the latter shall prevail.

Section 9. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). - There shall be established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) who shall supervise the day to day management, protection, and administration of the TPPL. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the TPPL.

The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the management and operations of the TPPL. Pursuant thereto, the PASu shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, including the annual work and financial plan and ensure its implementation;

(b) Ensure the integration of the TPPL management plans, programs, projects, and policies with relevant national and LGUs' plans and programs;

(c) Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure the availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;

(d) Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules, regulations, and programs;

(e) Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which shall be an important basis for decision-making;

(f) Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the TPPL, commence and institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other government agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of the provisions of this Act;

(g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of the TPPL;

(h) Request for and receive any technical assistance, support or advice from any agency or instrumentality of the government as well as academic institutions, NGOs, and the private sector, as may be necessary for the effective management, protection and administration of the TPPL;

(i) Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management plan and other permitted activities in accordance with terms, conditions, and criteria established by the PAMB: Provided, That all permits for extraction activities, including collection for research purposes, shall aslo continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the specific acts to be covered;

(j) Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for the TPPL: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other income collected and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in accordance with existing guidelines;

(k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and financial plans of the TPPL based on the management plan; and

(l) Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.

The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and natural resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR.

ARTICLE III PROCEEDS AND FEES

Section 10. The Tirad Pass Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (TPPL-IPAF). - There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Tirad Pass Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (TPPL-IPAF) for purposes of financing projects of the TPPL and the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation and management of wild flora and fauna in the TPPL shall accrue to the TPPL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees from permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the MAPL, proceeds from lease of multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the TPPL, and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the TPPL.

The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through the above means, which shall be deposited to the Protected Area-Retained Income Account (PA-RIA) in any authorized government depository bank within the locality: Provided, That disbursements out of such deposits shall be used solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of the TPPL and implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the general fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing the programs and projects of the NIPAS.

The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowment from various sources, domestic or foreign: Provided, That the fund shall be deposited in full as a special account in the National treasury and disbursements therefrom shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of the NIPAS and duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting, budgeting, and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the fund shall not be used to cover personal services expenditures.

The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein which they have traditionally collected, such as property business permits, property tax and rentals of LGUs' facilities.

ARTICLE IV TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 11. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall immediately include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 12. Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppletory application to this Act.

Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with local governments of the municipalities of Gregorio del Pilar, Quirino, Sigay, Cervantes, and Suyo, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur, and concerned national government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 14. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

<table data-cellpadding="5" data-cellspacing="0" data-border="0" width="90%" data-align="center"> <colgroup> <col style="width: 50%" /> <col style="width: 50%" /> </colgroup> <tbody> <tr class="c" data-valign="top"> <td>(Sgd.) <strong>VICENTE C. SOTTO III</strong><br /> President of the Senate</td> <td>(Sgd.) <strong>LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO</strong><br /> Speaker of the House of Representatives</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives on May 26, 2021, amended by the Senate of the Philippines on September 27, 2021, and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on December 7, 2021.

<table data-cellpadding="5" data-cellspacing="0" data-border="0" width="90%" data-align="center"> <colgroup> <col style="width: 50%" /> <col style="width: 50%" /> </colgroup> <tbody> <tr class="c" data-valign="top"> <td>(Sgd.) <strong>MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA</strong><br /> Secretary of the Senate</td> <td>(Sgd.) <strong>MARK LLANDRO L. MENDOZA</strong><br /> Secretary General House of Representatives</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Approved: APR 08 2022

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE President of the Philippine