RA 11038: AN ACT DECLARING PROTECTED AREAS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS) ACT OF 1992", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Republic Act (RA) 11038, enacted on June 22, 2018, amends the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 (RA 7586) to expand the coverage of protected areas in the Philippines. The Act aims to strengthen the conservation of biodiversity and the integrity of ecosystems in the country.
Highlight of RA 11038
RA 11038 expands the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), ensuring the conservation of a broader range of ecologically rich and unique areas in the Philippines. This is crucial for protecting the country's natural heritage and promoting sustainable development.
Key Features of RA 11038
Expanded NIPAS: The Act expands the scope of NIPAS to include a wider variety of protected areas, such as old-growth forests, wetlands, and marine areas.
Establishment of New Protected Areas: The Act establishes 94 new protected areas across different regions of the Philippines, adding to the existing protected areas under NIPAS.
Delineation and Demarcation: The Act mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with the assistance of other government agencies, to delineate and demarcate the boundaries of each protected area.
Management Plan: The Act requires the formulation of a management plan for each protected area, promoting the adoption of innovative management techniques and ensuring the integration of conservation efforts with local development plans.
Prohibited Acts: The Act prohibits various activities within protected areas, such as poaching, illegal logging, quarrying, and the introduction of exotic species, to ensure the protection of biodiversity.
Penalties: The Act imposes stricter penalties for violations of the law, including imprisonment and fines, to