Republic ActNational

RA 12238 - An Act Declaring a Waters Surrounding Panaon Island Situated in the Province of Southern Leyte, a Protected Seascape Under the National Integrated Protected Areas System, to Be Referred to as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape, Providing for Its Management, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

August 29, 2025Civil Law

Republic Act No. 12238

An Act Declaring a Waters Surrounding Panaon Island Situated in the Province of Southern Leyte, a Protected Seascape Under the National Integrated Protected Areas System, to Be Referred to as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape, Providing for Its Management, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

AN ACT DECLARING THE WATERS SURROUNDING PANAON ISLAND SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, A PROTECTED SEASCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM, TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE PANAON ISLAND PROTECTED SEASCAPE, 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. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Panaon Island Protected Seascape 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 in the Constitution.

In recognition of the richness of biological resources, both flora and fauna, that are native and distinct to the surrounding waters of Panaon Island, as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land of the public domain located in the Municipalities of Liloan, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and San Ricardo in the Province of Southern Leyte, is hereby declared a protected area under the category of protected seascape and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS). 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 the national government, local government units (LGUs), concerned non-governmental 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, and cultural and indigenous practices.

Section 3. Classification as a National Park. - The PIPS is composed of a waters surrounding the Panaon Island situated in the Municipalities of Liloan, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and San Ricardo in the Province of Southern Leyte, the metes and bounds of which are described in Section 4 of this Act. All lands of the public domain within the coverage and scope of the PIPS shall fall under the classification of a national park as provided for in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.

Section 5. Scope and Coverage. - The PIPS shall cover the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo, Province of Southern Leyte.

Beginning at a point marked "1" on the map being N 81o04'54"E,1607.313 meters from PRS'92 Control Monument "LYS-7" with geographic coordinates of 10o9'35.928606" Latitude and 125o6'59.18374" Longitude located in Barangay Poblacion, Municipality of Liloan, Province of Southern Leyte,

thenceN 75° 27'39"E11,519.89meters to corner 2;
thenceS 54° 30'49"E5,285.30meters to corner 3
thenceS 23° 19'52"E13,151.13meters to corner 4;
thenceS 39° 15'45"E3,416.97meters to corner 5;
thenceS 09° 01'28"E4,793.82meters to corner 6;
thenceS 20° 31'43"E6,212.19meters to corner 7;
thenceS 11° 47'33"W4,204.39meters to corner 8;
thenceS 39° 40' 22"W4,846.69meters to corner 9;
thenceS 67° 58'50"W5,033.48meters to corner 10;
thenceN 88° 48'04"W4,388.71meters to corner 11;
thenceN 61° 13'23"W5,156.94meters to corner 12;
thenceN 31° 20'22"W16,297.69meters to corner 13;
thenceN 54° 13'03"W5,790.66meters to corner 14;
thenceN 12° 03'35"W14,294.01meters to corner 15;
thenceN 56° 37'45"E6,953.40meters to corner 16;
thenceS 36° 23'44"E93.247meters to corner 17;
thenceS 75° 58'33"E83.933meters to corner 18;
thenceN 44° 08'04"E50.688meters to corner 19;
thenceS 73° 29'40"E209.701meters to corner 20;
thenceS 35° 17'00"E239.632meters to corner 21;
thenceS 01° 59'03"E336.237meters to corner 22;
thenceS 60° 06'18"E83.134meters to corner 23;
thenceN 61° 51'40"E138.894meters to corner 24;
thenceN 54° 26'35"E208.984meters to corner 25;
thenceN 67° 03'52"E91.532meters to corner 26;
thenceS 42° 41'20"E113.76meters to corner 27;
thenceS 13° 48'12"E78.637meters to corner 28;
thenceS 27° 26'28"W100.006meters to corner 29;
thenceS 42° 07'50"W136.37meters to corner 30;
thenceS 10° 23'16"W131.635meters to corner 31;
thenceS 56° 56'33"W128.077meters to corner 32;
thenceS 50° 35'15"W151.53meters to corner 33;
thenceS 17° 12'24"W201.027meters to corner 34;
thenceS 19° 19'13"E109.284meters to corner 35;
thenceS 37° 20'41"E88.159meters to corner 36;
thenceS 63° 27'44"E132.779meters to corner 37;
thenceS 74° 28'19"E93.761meters to corner 38;
thenceN 50° 58'56"E143.542meters to corner 39;
thenceN 84° 37'32"E72.983meters to corner 40;
thenceS 71° 57'32"E98.534meters to corner 41;
thenceS 11° 58'54"E118.217meters to corner 42;
thenceN 53° 53'16"E222.003meters to corner 43;
thenceS 44° 45'12"E58.181meters to corner 44;
thenceS 43° 28'23"W100.953meters to corner 45;
thenceS 01° 36'34"W90.91meters to corner 46;
thenceS 20° 36'35"E74.619meters to corner 47;
thenceN 51° 56'55"E126.613meters to corner 48;
thenceN 28° 00'34"E92.655meters to corner 49;
thenceS 73° 56'04"E87.686meters to corner 50;
thenceS 39° 18'22"W134.082meters to corner 51;
thenceS 05° 34'43"W140.322meters to corner 52;
thenceS 24° 06'39"W91.656meters to corner 53;
thenceS 35° 04'50"E63.978meters to corner 54;
thenceS 07° 13'05"W28.595meters to corner 55;
thenceS 58° 16'05"W38.041meters to corner 56;
thenceS 41° 46'36"E45.348meters to corner 57;
thenceS 29° 45'32"W52.541meters to corner 58;
thenceS 77° 13'46"E106.769meters to corner 59;
thenceS 10° 45'50"W51.005meters to corner 60;
thenceN 72° 18'20"W91.1545meters to corner 61;
thenceN 84° 47'57"W185.259meters to corner 62;
thenceS 33° 42'13"E47.405meters to corner 63;
thenceS 08° 22'24"W34.556meters to corner 64;
thenceS 66° 47'55"W51.738meters to corner 65;
thenceS 15° 15'39"E30.155meters to corner 66;
thenceS 72° 17'43"E45.392meters to corner 67;
thenceS 16° 30'49"E65.996meters to corner 68;
thenceN 71° 56'52"E305.696meters to corner 69;
thenceS 64° 15'23"E46.121meters to corner 70;
thenceS 05° 59'17"W93.48meters to corner 71;
thenceS 67° 44'42"W155.142meters to corner 72;
thenceS 31° 17'41"W238.303meters to corner 73;
thenceN 87° 55'12"W93.005meters to corner 74;
thenceS 41° 18'24"W205.007meters to corner 75;
thenceS 32° 31'50"E146.851meters to corner 76;
thenceS 55° 57'27"W180.277meters to corner 77;
thenceN 34° 28'35"W51.414meters to corner 78;
thenceS 70° 20'17"W332.222meters to corner 79;
thenceN 83° 46'39"W97.902meters to corner 80;
thenceN 40° 04'28"W139.307meters to corner 81;
thenceN 00° 04'14"W134.518meters to corner 82;
thenceN 31° 38'52"E46.276meters to corner 83;
thenceN 04° 12'59"E52.226meters to corner 84;
thenceN 31° 17'39"W144.905meters to corner 85;
thenceN 89° 24'08"W32.664meters to corner 86;
thenceS 20° 23'47"W165.802meters to corner 87;
thenceS 33° 37'00"W106.466meters to corner 88;
thenceS 00° 23'04"W73.167meters to corner 89;
thenceS 17° 37'19"E313.036meters to corner 90;
thenceS 00° 38'35"E235.414meters to corner 91;
thenceS 18° 26'29"W278.838meters to corner 92;
thenceS 04° 26'12"W313.294meters to corner 93;
thenceS 10° 28'26"W208.571meters to corner 94;
thenceS 19° 48'56"E276.553meters to corner 95;
thenceS 30° 40'17"E118.091meters to corner 96;
thenceS 51° 24'14"E311.632meters to corner 97;
thenceS 36° 11'59"E244.952meters to corner 98;
thenceS 33° 28'23"W257.057meters to corner 99;
thenceS 41° 14'08"W189.112meters to corner 100;
thenceS 18° 47'09"W328.009meters to corner 101;
thenceS 03° 22'32"W206.729meters to corner 102;
thenceS 11° 00'45"E188.557meters to corner 103;
thenceS 13° 49'13"W220.008meters to corner 104;
thenceS 04° 27'19"W90.33meters to corner 105;
thenceS 14° 52'41"E187.953meters to corner 106;
thenceS 00° 15'10"W242.492meters to corner 107;
thenceS 28° 17'02"W172.667meters to corner 108;
thenceS 07° 34'55"E119.24meters to corner 109;
thenceS 05° 08'21"W258.718meters to corner 110;
thenceS 16o52'30"W117.177meters to corner 111;
thenceS 00° 17'24"W424.937meters to corner 112;
thenceS 27° 38'18"E241.703meters to corner 113;
thenceS 04° 23'33"E531.764meters to corner 114;
thenceS 12° 26'33"E140.506meters to corner 115;
thenceS 27° 36'06"E315.624meters to corner 116;
thenceS 22° 59'24"W100.255meters to corner 117;
thenceS 10° 15'17"E176.418meters to corner 118;
thenceS 41° 47'51"E235.725meters to corner 119;
thenceS 28° 35'15"E328.741meters to corner 120;
thenceS 15° 53'03"W102.65meters to corner 121;
thenceS 60° 27'56"E286.363meters to corner 122;
thenceS 20° 18'00"E97.066meters to corner 123;
thenceS 00° 04'56"E172.293meters to corner 124;
thenceS 09° 00'29"W136.272meters to corner 125;
thenceS 22° 15'16"W317.498meters to corner 126;
thenceS 33° 13'22"E253.412meters to corner 127;
thenceS 03° 01'20"E222.628meters to corner 128;
thenceS 47° 21'27"E261.396meters to corner 129;
thenceS 34° 42'16"E959.447meters to corner 130;
thenceS 22° 19'58"E408.252meters to corner 131;
thenceS 64° 19'55"E96.149meters to corner 132;
thenceS 34° 24'01"E184.176meters to corner 133;
thenceS 16° 57'05"E112.918meters to corner 134;
thenceS 06° 06'50"E100.878meters to corner 135;
thenceS 79° 41'48"E55.963meters to corner 136;
thenceS 17° 54'43"E125.614meters to corner 137;
thenceS 04° 51'43"W166.344meters to corner 138;
thenceS 14° 21'42"W329.201meters to corner 139;
thenceN 75° 15'19"E75.903meters to corner 140;
thenceS 78° 17'58"E193.685meters to corner 141;
thenceS 67° 47'10"E95.832meters to corner 142;
thenceS 43° 53'13"E147.093meters to corner 143;
thenceS 89° 06'26"E102.459meters to corner 144;
thenceS 42° 52'12"E224.511meters to corner 145;
thenceS 84° 49'20"E285.727meters to corner 146;
thenceN 82° 55'22"E520.681meters to corner 147;
thenceS 62° 02'15"E83.134meters to corner 148;
thenceN 01° 00'06"E81.988meters to corner 149;
thenceS 84° 52'12"E166.065meters to corner 150;
thenceS 33° 22'10"W98.651meters to corner 151;
thenceS 71° 35'59"E122.002meters to corner 152;
thenceS 67° 18'03"E130.047meters to corner 153;
thenceS 59° 49'17"E158.222meters to corner 154;
thenceS 69° 05'46"E129.948meters to corner 155;
thenceS 80° 04'21"E137.142meters to corner 156;
thenceS 53° 35'08"E308.441meters to corner 157;
thenceS 57° 37'42"E743.72meters to corner 158;
thenceS 70° 23'41"E194.626meters to corner 159;
thenceS 52° 32'47"E245.052meters to corner 160;
thenceN 82° 21'21"E64.037meters to corner 161;
thenceS 83° 49'55"E243.074meters to corner 162;
thenceS 63° 22'16"E173.703meters to corner 163;
thenceS 55° 40'55"E378.828meters to corner 164;
thenceS 59° 58'57"E542.443meters to corner 165;
thenceS 71° 11'50"E172.103meters to corner 166;
thenceS 43° 29'04"E985.858meters to corner 167;
thenceS 29° 55'43"E824.084meters to corner 168;
thenceS 08° 27'17"E246.033meters to corner 169;
thenceS 02° 10'13"W321.587meters to corner 170;
thenceS 06° 24'10"E323.18meters to corner 171;
thenceS 43° 04'01"E147.819meters to corner 172;
thenceS 23° 50'47"E214.207meters to corner 173;
thenceS 44° 46'34"E608.863meters to corner 174;
thenceS 47° 25'23"E603.611meters to corner 175;
thenceS 00° 19'37"E374.954meters to corner 176;
thenceS 35° 24'03"E568.354meters to corner 177;
thenceS 03° 09'23"E304.86meters to corner 178;
thenceS 26° 22'57"E887.131meters to corner 179;
thenceS 01° 15'49"W130.614meters to corner 180;
thenceS 19° 08'31"E426.929meters to corner 181;
thenceS 10° 17'52"E253.279meters to corner 182;
thenceS 26° 23'59"E244.574meters to corner 183;
thenceS 35° 45'57"E258.546meters to corner 184;
thenceS 38° 39'38"E1,025.00meters to corner 185;
thenceS 48° 08'50"E597.224meters to corner 186;
thenceS 06° 32'04"W382.774meters to corner 187;
thenceS 49° 58'22"E198.883meters to corner 188;
thenceS 24° 21'54"E215.65meters to corner 189;
thenceS 08° 45'44"E186.572meters to corner 190;
thenceS 11° 45'49"W115.026meters to corner 191;
thenceS 16° 50'14"E129.021meters to corner 192;
thenceN 81° 28'42"E109.822meters to corner 193;
thenceN 43° 40'21"E209.219meters to corner 194;
thenceS 58° 34'21"E134.519meters to corner 195;
thenceN 67° 37'28"E495.365meters to corner 196;
thenceS 72° 10'58"E267.267meters to corner 197;
thenceS 66° 47'23"E582.103meters to corner 198;
thenceS 39° 38'03"E754.224meters to corner 199;
thenceS 20° 09'44"E265.787meters to corner 200;
thenceS 30° 05'03"E223.661meters to corner 201;
thenceS 37° 11'31"E584.965meters to corner 202;
thenceS 22° 51'25"E247.941meters to corner 203;
thenceS 14° 38'17"W173.667meters to corner 204;
thenceS 02° 08'02"W137.381meters to corner 205;
thenceS 17° 15'40"W166.811meters to corner 206;
thenceS 00° 44'04"E666.684meters to corner 207;
thenceS 25° 08'04"E378.913meters to corner 208;
thenceS 11° 45'53"E178.694meters to corner 209;
thenceS 00° 23'37"E214.439meters to corner 210;
thenceS 23° 34'11"E416.645meters to corner 211;
thenceS 20° 19'21"E673.47meters to corner 212;
thenceS 20° 02'20"E317.529meters to corner 213;
thenceS 10° 04'38"E262.395meters to corner 214;
thenceS 33° 17'55"E223.993meters to corner 215;
thenceS 53° 23'10"E409.296meters to corner 216;
thenceS 59° 52'39"E351.536meters to corner 217;
thenceS 70° 18'27"E287.18meters to corner 218;
thenceS 83° 34'12"E152.291meters to corner 219;
thenceN 75° 57'04"E875.246meters to corner 220;
thenceS 88° 52'18"E297.941meters to corner 221;
thenceS 75° 06'34"E299.944meters to corner 222;
thenceS 87° 09'15"E349.428meters to corner 223;
thenceN 79° 37'16"E234.439meters to corner 224;
thenceN 71° 30'50"E322.534meters to corner 225;
thenceN 60° 03'13"E154.005meters to corner 226;
thenceN 60° 03'12"E204.739meters to corner 227;
thenceN 40° 24'27"E391.655meters to corner 228;
thenceN 27° 57'21"E116.031meters to corner 229;
thenceN 12° 59'16"E158.341meters to corner 230;
thenceS 73° 55'31"E39.56meters to corner 231;
thenceN 16° 13'33"E45.78meters to corner 232;
thenceS 74° 55'16"E24.323meters to corner 233;
thenceN 15° 50'06"E56.604meters to corner 234;
thenceN 74° 46'31"W50.67meters to corner 235;
thenceN 30° 41'15"E188.786meters to corner 236;
thenceN 42° 06'51"E450.545meters to corner 237;
thenceN 52° 08'45"E358.462meters to corner 238;
thenceN 25° 39'48"W167.571meters to corner 239;
thenceN 03° 14'20"W587.35meters to corner 240;
thenceN 18° 20'15"W281.887meters to corner 241;
thenceN 25° 42'45"W478.349meters to corner 242;
thenceN 44° 33'32"W112.215meters to corner 243;
thenceN 78° 21'18"W122.268meters to corner 244;
thenceN 15° 15'35"W327.82meters to corner 245;
thenceN 36° 24'58"W334.364meters to corner 246;
thenceN 25° 23'39"W282.891meters to corner 247;
thenceN 37° 57'56"W192.559meters to corner 248;
thenceN 49° 08'03"W426.739meters to corner 249;
thenceN 17° 46'55"W172.936meters to corner 250;
thenceN 51° 49'54"W301.722meters to corner 251;
thenceN 50° 04'59"W168.359meters to corner 252;
thenceN 40° 02'44"W264.084meters to corner 253;
thenceN 51° 29'21"W213.74meters to corner 254;
thenceN 42° 11'22"W235.655meters to corner 255;
thenceN 34° 01'06"W511.723meters to corner 256;
thenceN 39° 03'13"W294.835meters to corner 257;
thenceN 13° 40'42"W321.907meters to corner 258;
thenceN 20° 56'25"W233.741meters to corner 259;
thenceN 07° 20'34"E162.071meters to corner 260;
thenceN 35° 17'47"E779.834meters to corner 261;
thenceN 05° 57'57"W449.988meters to corner 262;
thenceN 17° 49'44"E416.138meters to corner 263;
thenceN 28° 06'22"E473.036meters to corner 264;
thenceN 22° 18'26"E404.767meters to corner 265;
thenceN 05° 56'44"W242.031meters to corner 266;
thenceN 41° 43'32"W543.891meters to corner 267;
thenceN 51° 10'24"W259.236meters to corner 268;
thenceS 74° 30'13"W69.918meters to corner 269;
thenceN 68° 23'35"W214.543meters to corner 270;
thenceN 54° 22'02"W126.149meters to corner 271;
thenceN 22° 24'52"W263.694meters to corner 272;
thenceN 43° 21'31"W618.006meters to corner 273;
thenceN 35° 52'23"W330.152meters to corner 274;
thenceN 10° 59'41"W173.519meters to corner 275;
thenceN 26° 05'54"W104.018meters to corner 276;
thenceN 51° 50'55"W136.392meters to corner 277;
thenceN 42° 43'04"W135.418meters to corner 278;
thenceN 14° 57'27"W222.673meters to corner 279;
thenceN 19° 17'07"W148.358meters to corner 280;
thenceN 42° 08'39"W106.843meters to corner 281;
thenceN 58° 52'54"W200.656meters to corner 282;
thenceN 35° 31'04"W127.41meters to corner 283;
thenceN 59° 06'33"W162.006meters to corner 284;
thenceN 35° 02'33"W106.962meters to corner 285;
thenceN 45° 43'24"W209.869meters to corner 286;
thenceN 24° 01'09"W732.017meters to corner 287;
thenceN 01° 36'30"W247.98meters to corner 288;
thenceN 09° 06'39"W138.59meters to corner 289;
thenceN 27° 39'14"W203.38meters to corner 290;
thenceN 52° 10'52"W148.708meters to corner 291;
thenceN 27° 57'42"W106.454meters to corner 292;
thenceN 03° 05'57"W118.963meters to corner 293;
thenceN 34° 45'52"W211.226meters to corner 294;
thenceN 44° 02'31"W173.857meters to corner 295;
thenceN 19° 13'36"W75.682meters to corner 296;
thenceS 68° 44'57"W90.101meters to corner 297;
thenceN 61° 44'14"W126.23meters to corner 298;
thenceN 42° 25'12"W188.898meters to corner 299;
thenceN 26° 36'40"W157.139meters to corner 300;
thenceN 08° 14'25"W191.008meters to corner 301;
thenceN 19° 43'59"E297.076meters to corner 302;
thenceN 11° 57'43"E210.078meters to corner 303;
thenceN 36° 55'28"W624.875meters to corner 304;
thenceN 17° 00'04"W377.257meters to corner 305;
thenceN 13° 37'41"W307.779meters to corner 306;
thenceN 08° 53'56"W483.038meters to corner 307;
thenceN 06° 46'32"E135.916meters to corner 308;
thenceN 27° 26'11"W382.682meters to corner 309;
thenceN 20° 41'14"W190.601meters to corner 310;
thenceN 34° 46'17"W175.767meters to corner 311;
thenceN 54° 28'11"W233.169meters to corner 312;
thenceN 33° 15'13"W174.873meters to corner 313;
thenceN 03° 05'21"E292.23meters to corner 314;
thenceN 11° 27'17"E293.428meters to corner 315;
thenceN 06° 06'36"W139.809meters to corner 316;
thenceN 30° 19'38"W443.735meters to corner 317;
thenceN 46° 27'52"W259.738meters to corner 318;
thenceN 34° 16'08"W274.784meters to corner 319;
thenceN 54° 22'29"W397.36meters to corner 320;
thenceN 33° 09'02"W692.286meters to corner 321;
thenceN 24° 22'00"E115.695meters to corner 322;
thenceN 09° 41'34"W228.344meters to corner 323;
thenceN 16° 16'24"W358.159meters to corner 324;
thenceN 38° 19'32"W409.278meters to corner 325;
thenceN 30° 48'58"W309.227meters to corner 326;
thenceN 06° 35'46"W254.744meters to corner 327;
thenceN 04° 24'35"E391.524meters to corner 328;
thenceN 08° 27'45"W308.544meters to corner 329;
thenceN 17° 38'24"W359.095meters to corner 330;
thenceN 56° 51'25"W287.538meters to corner 331;
thenceN 19° 57'06"W281.208meters to corner 332;
thenceN 01° 33'42"W188.016meters to corner 333;
thenceN 21° 07'36"W229.688meters to corner 334;
thenceN 03° 41'40"W144.044meters to corner 335;
thenceN 09° 09'53"E141.545meters to corner 336;
thenceN 17° 59'04"W74.138meters to corner 337;
thenceN 58° 00'01"W79.267meters to corner 338;
thenceS 88° 02'16"W242.043meters to corner 339;
thenceS 73° 07'12"W140.417meters to corner 340;
thenceS 89° 38'18"W118.939meters to corner 341;
thenceS 65° 57'13"W294.985meters to corner 342;
thenceS 86° 01'10"W266.057meters to corner 343;
thenceN 60° 56'44"W217.613meters to corner 344;
thenceN 65° 24'15"W460.529meters to corner 345;
thenceN 77° 02'15"W202.059meters to corner 346;
thenceS 86° 51'05"W360.914meters to corner 347;
thenceN 78° 14'35"W262.003meters to corner 348;
thenceN 65° 11'43"W192.607meters to corner 349;
thenceN 53° 13'04"W193.259meters to corner 350;
thenceN 42° 43'53"W379.223meters to corner 351;
thenceN 65° 40'32"W249.96meters to corner 352;
thenceS 77° 04'59"W377.052meters to corner 353;
thenceS 89° 28'40"W356.391meters to corner 354;
thenceS 78° 51'04"W241.599meters to corner 355;
thenceS 74° 53'23"W658.63meters to corner 356;
thenceN 75° 38'51"W348.538meters to corner 357;
thenceN 54° 08'05"W350.616meters to corner 358;
thenceN 43° 58'17"W316.341meters to corner 359;
thenceN 68° 56'07"W223.374meters to corner 360;
thenceN 51° 17'55"W557.781meters to corner 361;
thenceN 41° 05'09"W792.08meters to corner 362;
thenceN 34° 14'37"W413.754meters to corner 363;
thenceN 61° 02'30"W384.736meters to corner 364;
thenceN 56° 50'01"W360.666meters to corner 365;
thenceN 46° 43'45"W475.454meters to corner 366;
thenceN 67° 03'42"W259.747meters to corner 367;
thenceN 49° 37'15"W143.462meters to corner 368;
thenceN 38° 09'48"W471.388meters to corner 1;

from the point of beginning containing an area of sixty-one thousand two hundred four (61,204) hectares, more or less. Bearings and distances of lines were derived using the PRS 1992 Philippines Zone V coordinate system, subject to ground delineation and demarcation. The geographic coordinates of the control monument "LYS-7" are based on re-observed data.

The Certification from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) containing the boundaries and technical descriptions of the PIPS is hereby adopted and made an integral part of this Act. In case of inconsistency, the boundaries and technical descriptions in the attached Certification shall prevail.

Any modification of the scope and coverage of the PIPS in this Act shall be made through an act of Congress, after consultation with the government agencies and stakeholders concerned.

Section 5. 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 PIPS as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That in cases where restrictions the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be required to design their development with due consideration to the PIPS management plan.

Section 6. Strict Protection Zone. - An area declared in accordance with the PIPS management plan, possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features, and species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance should be maintained to protect and to preserve nature in its undisturbed state and to preserve ecologically representative examples of the natural environment to ensure their availability for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state.

ARTICLE II ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Section 7. Protected Area Management Board. - 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 PIPS. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:

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

(b) Governor of the Province of Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located or a duly designated representative;

(c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered of the city or province where the PIPS is located, or their duly authorized representatives, unless the Senators decline membership in the PAMB;

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

(e) Mayors of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo where the PIPS is located or their duly designated representatives;

(f) Chairperson of the all the barangays where the PIPS is located;

(g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies: Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of National Defense (DND), and Department of Tourism (DOT);

(h) Three (3) representatives from either NGOs or people's organizations (POs) duly accredited both by the DENR and the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte.

(i) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the ICCs/IPs 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 Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located, 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 Southern Leyte where the PIPS is located, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest relevant to PIPS management.

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

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

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

(d) Adopt a manual of operations to include rules of procedure 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 laws, rules, and regulations governing the management of the PIPS;

(f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan and manage the Protected Area Retained Income Account (PA-RIA) and other funds in accordance with government accounting, budgeting, and auditing 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 governing authorities including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which shall perform its mandate of regulating speed limit of all vessels plying the waters around PIPS to protect large marine animal species, including tiki tiki or whale sharks and other wildlife from injury, disturbance, and death, especially in their migratory pathway, critical feeding, and resting areas;

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

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

(l) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the PIPS: Provided, That the members of the management board representing the LGUs and national agencies in the PAMB 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 its implementing rules and regulations 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 Executive Director, shall ensure that the PAMB acts within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between the resolution issued by the PAMB and the existing administrative orders of national application, the latter shall prevail.

Section 9. The Protected Area Management Office. - There is hereby established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a PASu who shall supervise the day-to-day management, protection, and administration of the PIPS. 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 PIPS

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

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

(b) Ensure the integration of PIPS management plan, 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 proposed policies, rules, regulations, and programs to the PAMB;

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

(f) Enforce the laws, rules, and regulations relevant to the PIPS, 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 PIPS;

(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 PIPS;

(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 of natural resources, including collections of wildlife, and its by-products or derivatives for research purposes, shall 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 PIPS: 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, the approval of the annual work and financial plans of the PIPS 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. Panaon Island Protected Seascape-Integrated Area Fund. - There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape-Integrated Protected Area Fund (PIPS-IPAF) for purposes of financing projects and sustaining the operation of the PIPS and the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation and management of PIPS shall accrue to the PIPS-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of resources and facilities of the PIPS, and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the PIPS.

The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through the above means, which shall be deposited in the 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 PIPS and implementation of duly approved projects of the PAMB.

The remaining twenty-five (25%) of revenues shall be deposited as a special account in the General Fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing the 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 in 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 for duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting, budgeting, and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the funds 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 for business permits, property tax, and rentals of LGUs' facilities.

ARTICLE IV 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 the local government of the Municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo, the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte, and concerned national government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

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

Section 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended 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"> <td>(SGD.) <strong>FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ</strong><br /> Speaker of the House of Representatives</td> <td>(SGD.) <strong>FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO</strong><br /> President of the Senate</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2617 on December 16, 2024 and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 9396 on February 4, 2025.

<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 data-valign="top"> <td>(SGD.) <strong>REGINALD S. VELASCO</strong><br /> Secretary General House of Representatives</td> <td>(SGD.) <strong>RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.</strong><br /> Secretary of the Senate</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Approved: AUG 29 2025

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR. President of the Philippines

Cite this

RA 12238 - An Act Declaring a Waters Surrounding Panaon Island Situated in the Province of Southern Leyte, a Protected Seascape Under the National Integrated Protected Areas System, to Be Referred to as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape, Providing for Its Management, and Appropriating Funds Therefor. BatasPH. Approved August 29, 2025. https://batasph.thirdygayares.com/republic-acts/republic-act-no-12238

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