Senator Cynthia Villar lauded the signing into law of a bill placing more areas under government protection, which include popular tourist destinations as well as internationally-recognized critical zones.
Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, was principal sponsor of Republic Act 11038 or the law expanding the National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS), which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 22, 2018.
“We are very happy to come up with this legislation ensuring protection for more areas in our megadiverse country. This legislation is timely, given the heightened public clamor to protect and rehabilitate our popular tourist spots,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker added that among the 94 new areas placed under government’s protection are three Ramsar Sites; namely, the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, Agusan Marsh (Agusan del Sur) and Olango Island (Cebu).
Also protected now as national parks are popular tourist spots in the country including Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island in Bohol, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Mt. Mayon in Albay, Taal Volcano in Batangas, Hinulugang Tak-tak in Rizal, and Palaui Island in Cagayan.
Among the 94 new areas are: Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park, Agusan Marsh, Olango Island, Siargao Island,Chocolate Hills, Panglao Island, Apo Island, Mt. Mayon, Taal Volcano, Hinulugang Tak-tak, Palaui Island, Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok, Mount Iglit-Baco and Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary.
Internationally-recognized areas are also included, namely, the ASEAN Heritage Sites Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok (Camiguin) and Mount Iglit-Baco (Mindoro); and Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (Tawi-Tawi).
“The Philippines’ rich biodiversity is a source of pride and joy for all of us Filipinos.”
“The Philippines’ rich biodiversity is a source of pride and joy for all of us Filipinos. We actively protect and strongly defend the breadth and depth of our territories to ensure that the future generation of Filipinos will still have the opportunity to take pride and find joy in our country’s rich biodiversity,” the lady senator said.
The law which amends Republic Act 7586, increases the number of protected areas covered by legislation from 13 to 107 or for a total of 3 million hectares.
It also recognizes conservation areas and the management regimes of local government units, communities, indigenous peoples and other stakeholders for the establishment and management of protected areas.
“Institutional mechanisms are established for the mobilization of resources and for adequate scientific and technical support for the conservation of biodiversity and integrity of the ecosystem,” Villar added.