NIPAS Act

NIPAS ACT

by Anton Antonio

May 25, 2015

The NIPAS Act stands for National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.  Also known as Republic Act No. 7586, is “an Act providing for the establishment and management of National Integrated Protected Areas System, defining its scope and coverage, and for other purposes.”

Declaration of Policy of the NIPAS Act is: 

“Cognizant of the profound impact of man’s activities on all components of the natural environment particularly the effect of increasing population, resource exploitation and industrial advancement and recognizing the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural biological and physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique features to sustain human life and development, as well as plant and animal life, 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 establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution.

It is hereby recognized that these areas, although distinct in features, posses common ecological values that may be incorporated into a holistic plan representative of our natural heritage; that effective administration of this area is possible only through cooperation among national government, local government and concerned private organizations; that the use and enjoyment of these protected areas must be consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.

To this end, there is hereby established a National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), which shall encompass outstandingly remarkable areas and biologically important public lands that are habitats of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, biogeographic zones and related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine, all of which shall be designated as “protected areas”.”  (NIPAS Act, 1992)

Under the NIPAS Act, the following categories of protected areas are established:  (a) Strict nature reserve; (b) Natural park; (c) Natural monument; (d) Wildlife sanctuary; (e) Protected landscapes and seascapes; (f) Resource reserve; (g) Natural biotic areas; and, (h) Other categories established by law, conventions or international agreements which the Philippine Government is a signatory.  Under the NIPAS Act of 1992, the following acts are prohibited within protected areas:  (a) Hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or animals or products derived therefrom without a permit from the Management Board; (b) Dumping of any waste products detrimental to the protected area, or to the plants and animals or inhabitants therein; (c) Use of any motorized equipment without a permit from the Management Board; (d) Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of interest to cultural communities (of scenic value); (e) Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition; (f) Squatting, mineral locating, or otherwise occupying any land; (g) Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, conducting any business enterprise without a permit; (h) Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing in ground or in bodies of water; and, (i) Altering, removing destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs.

As of 2012, there are 240 protected areas in the Philippines covering a total area of 35,700 square kilometers, 11.9% of the total land area of the country, under the NIPAS Act.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCE:

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. “Republic Act No. 7586”.  Retrieved on May 25, 2015 from http://www.gov.ph/1992/06/01/republic-act-no-7586/