Aurora Memorial Protected Landscape (Ampl) Act

«Office of tic TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -4 P1:44 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MARIA AURORA, BALER, SAN LUIS, AND DINGALAN IN THE PROVINCE OF AURORA AND BONGABON, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE AURORA MEMORIAL PROTECTED LANDSCAPE (AMPL), PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 1 It also classifies national parks as lands of the public domain and mandates that once established, these parks shall be conserved and may not be increased or diminished except by law.? These constitutional provisions underpin the development of the country's environmental and conservation policies and laws, especially the creation of protected areas. To implement these provisions, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 7586, known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.3 This landmark law institutionalized a legal framework for managing ecologically important areas, ensuring the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the 1 Philippine Government. (1987). The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Article II,

Section 16. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/

≥ Ibid., Art. XII, Sec. 3 and 4. 3 Republic of the Philippines. (1992). Republic Act No. 7586: An Act providing for the establishment and management of National Integrated Protected Areas System, defining its scope and coverage, and for other purposes. Retrieved from https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/3508

establishment of a comprehensive system of protected areas. The Act was later amended by Republic Act No. 11038, or the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018, which declared additional sites as legislated protected areas and enhanced the mechanisms for their governance and protection. 4 As of June 2025, the Philippines has a total of 117 legislated protected areas covering 4,436,519.94 hectares. In addition, 13 areas have been proclaimed as protected by the President, encompassing 1,105,465.98 hectares. There are also 121 areas categorized as remaining initial components under the NIPAS, covering 2,258,174.27 hectares.5 Ecological Significance and Biodiversity® The Aurora Memorial Protected Landscape (AMPL) spans 38,611 hectares within the Sierra Madre mountain range, covering portions of Maria Aurora, Baler, Dingalan and San Luis in Aurora Province, and Bongabon in Nueva Ecija. A landmark herpetological survey recorded 82 species of amphibians and reptiles in the area, including 35 new distribution records in southern Sierra Madre. Among these are Sphenomorphus leucospilos, a rare skink; Luperosaurus cf. cumingli, a seldom-seen forest gecko; the frugivorous monitor lizard Varanus bitatawa; and Platymantis polillensis, a frog species once considered critically endangered but now found to be locally abundant. The landscape also hosts cloud forests, riverine ecosystems, mangrove fringes, and secondary-growth dipterocarp forests, many of which exhibit signs of robust natural regeneration despite past logging activity. Surveys note high species richness even in disturbed areas, affirming AMPL's ecological resilience and importance as a biodiversity corridor within the Sierra Madre. 4 Republic of the Philippines. (2018). Republic Act No. 11038: Expanded National Integrated Protected https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/84999 5 Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Biodiversity Management Bureau. (n.d.). List of protected areas. https://www.bmb.gov.ph/index.php/pa-mainmenu/list-of-protected-areas, Philippine News Agency. (2024, April 22). PBBM declares sites in Guimaras, Quezon, Albay as protected areas. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254527 6 Siler, C., Welton, L., Siler, J., Brown, J., Bucol, A., Diesmos, A., & Brown, R. (2016). Amphibians and reptiles, Luzon Island, Aurora Province and Aurora Memorial National Park, northern Philippines: New distribution https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311578705_Amphibians_and_Reptiles_Luzon_Island_Auror a_Province_and_Aurora_Memorial_National_Park_northern_Philippines_new_island_distribution_recor

Conservation Threats and Management Imperatives Despite its ecological richness, AMPL faces escalating threats from timber extraction, land conversion, and the spread of invasive species such as Rhinella marina and Kaloula pulchra, which endanger native amphibian populations. The potential introduction of the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis)-a pathogen responsible for global amphibian declines-poses an emerging biosecurity risk. To address these threats, the proposed legislation aims to formally declare the area as a protected landscape, establish a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), and allocate funds through the AMPL Integrated Protected Area Fund (AMPL-IPAF). These mechanisms will enable effective ecological governance, support biodiversity monitoring, and ensure the integration of local communities and Indigenous Peoples in long-term stewardship efforts. Protecting AMPL is not only a matter of environmental policy, but of national ecological security-preserving species found nowhere else, enhancing climate resilience, and sustaining the natural heritage of Central Luzon. In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Sente «Office ot the TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session AUG -4 P1:44 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT DECLARING A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MARIA AURORA, BALER, SAN LUIS, AND DINGALAN IN THE PROVINCE OF AURORA AND BONGABON, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA, A PROTECTED AREA WITH THE CATEGORY OF PROTECTED LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS), TO BE REFERRED TO AS THE AURORA MEMORIAL PROTECTED LANDSCAPE (AMPL), PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Aurora Memorial Protected

4 Landscape (AMPL) Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Cognizant of the profound impact of human

6 activity on all components of the natural environment, it is hereby declared the policy 7 of the State to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations, the 8 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 the Aurora Memorial National Park, as well as their aesthetic and ecological importance, a parcel of land of the public domain located in

1 the Municipalities of Maria Aurora, San Luis, Baler and Dingalan in the Province of 2 Aurora, and the Municipality of Bongabon in the Province of Nueva Ecija is hereby 3 declared a protected area under the category of protected landscape and shall 4 hereinafter be referred to as the Aurora Memorial Protected Landscape (AMPL). As such, the State shall ensure the conservation, protection, management, and rehabilitation of the area. It is likewise recognized that effective administration of this 7 area is possible only through cooperation among the National Government, Local 8 Government Units (GUs), concerned Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS), 9 private entities, and local communities. The use and enjoyment of this area must be 10 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.

Sec. 3. Classification as a National Park. — The AMPL is composed of a parcel

of land of the public domain located in the Municipalities of Maria Aurora, San Luis, Baler, and Dingalan in the Province of Aurora, and the Municipality of Bongabon, in the Province of Nueva Ecija, 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 AMPL shall fall under the classification of a national park as provided for in Article XII, Section 3 of the Constitution.

Sec. 4. Scope and Coverage. - The boundaries of the AMPL are more

particularly described as follows: The boundary of the AMPL is more particularly described as the area beginning at a point marked "1" on the Map, being N 50°02'16" W, 1,339.47 meters from PRS'92 Control Monument "ARA-10" with geographic coordinates of 15° 45' 1.09619" Latitude and 121° 37' 50.34223" Longitude located in Barangay Sabali, Municipality of Baler, Province of Aurora: thence S 48044'08" E 338.05 meters to corner ; thence S 21°45'24" E 122.92 meters to corner ; thence S 21°15'42" W 507.23 meters to corner ; thence S 73°20'28" E 435.91 meters to corner ;

N 20°20'06" E meters to corner thence 626.07 ; thence N 40°57'27" E 111.38 meters to corner thence S 81°39'33" E 78.48 meters to corner ; thence N 62°53'42" E meters to corner ; 48.77 thence S 11°09'34" E 39.45 meters to corner ; S 55°41'38" E meters to corner thence 233.23 ; thence S 09°30'44" E 46.61 meters to corner ; thence S 52°27'04" E 113.91 meters to corner ; thence N 81°01'59" E 66.14 meters to corner ; thence S 21°34'11" W 83.69 meters to corner ; thence meters to corner S 18°07'56" E 104.22 ; thence S 72°06'17" E 76.62 meters to corner ; thence N 66°31'41" E 68.40 meters to corner ; thence S 50°58'48 E 72.28 meters to corner ; thence N 53°18'08" E 78.03 meters to corner ; thence S 78°26'41" E 34.70 meters to corner ; thence S 44°27'37" W 123.36 meters to corner ; S 36°47'37" E thence 45.07 meters to corner ; thence N 69°34'30" E 121.10 meters to corner ; thence S 33°57'14" W 479.19 meters to corner ; thence N 65°23'42" W 131.16 meters to corner thence S 62°20'21" W 111.62 meters to corner ; thence S 20°13'58" W meters to corner 150.30 ; thence S 01°22'11" W 145.46 meters to corner ; thence S 24°14'09" W 138.77 meters to corner thence S 04°13'27" W 175.06 meters to corner thence S 65°20'17" E 91.05 meters to corner ; thence S 86°35'39" E meters to corner 70.43 ; thence S 12°48'14" E 57.03 meters to corner meters to corner thence S 38°29'46" W 115.42 thence S 53°23'27" E 68.03 meters to corner ; thence S 65°46'32" W 360.66 meters to corner

thence S 50°58'50" W 203.90 meters to corner ; thence S 72°14'47" E 260.79 meters to corner ; thence N 88°17'59" E 302.92 meters to corner ; thence S 31°19'24" E 335.86 meters to corner ; thence N 87°13'47" E 157.69 meters to corner ; thence N 10°20'47" E 379.26 meters to corner thence N 10°00'05" W 398.32 meters to corner ; thence ; N 38°00'41" E 120.98 meters to corner thence N 23°54'16" E 117.11 meters to corner ; thence N 88°33'04" E 152.67 meters to corner N 45°18'33" E 53.96 meters to corner ; thence thence S 18°12'07" W 40.89 meters to corner ; S 51°53'29" W meters to corner ; thence 22.68 thence S 77°39'29" W 47.33 meters to corner ; thence S 64°55'48" W 113.24 meters to corner ; thence S 16°31'41" W 82.45 meters to corner ; thence S 60°06'10" W 63.46 meters to corner ; S 33°28'40" E ; thence 58.49 meters to corner thence S 08°23'34" E 80.96 meters to corner meters to corner thence S 44°21'28" E 94.86 thence S 67°41'03" E 181.57 meters to corner ; thence S 19°47'19" E 46.14 meters to corner ; thence S 32°29'05" W 65.97 meters to corner ; thence S 21°51'33" E 96.21 meters to corner ; thence S 04959'12" E 57.12 meters to corner ; thence S 27°51'14" W 145.40 meters to corner ; thence S 03°52'23" E 142.67 meters to corner ; thence S 29°38'59" E 192.29 meters to corner ; thence S 19°10'08" W 150.66 meters to corner ; S 05034'53' E meters to corner ; thence 144.51 thence S 06°16'13" W 142.85 meters to corner thence § 23°26'41" E 163.17 meters to corner

thence S 05°19'02" W 165.99 meters to corner ; thence S 23°57'04" E 223.77 meters to corner thence S 09°59'33" W 335.91 meters to corner ; thence S 51°39'17" W 155.41 meters to corner ; thence S 12°59'22" W 289.59 meters to corner ; thence S 25°09'18" W 249.02 meters to corner ; thence S 01°45'27" E 99.52 meters to corner ; meters to corner thence S 80°50'46" W 141.32 ; thence S 30°28'11" E 161.22 meters to corner thence S 06°35'12" W 153.61 meters to corner S 21°14'01" E meters to corner thence 101.84 thence S 31°55'59" W 82.80 meters to corner ; thence S 11°15'05" E 159.43 meters to corner ; thence S 59°17'57" E 151.03 meters to corner ; thence S 03°29'20" E 205.62 meters to corner ; thence S 30°25'32" W 209.85 meters to corner thence N 37°24'29" W 46.04 meters to corner ; thence N 09°38'01" W 343.66 meters to corner ; thence N 14°29'27" W 332.05 meters to corner thence N 28°34'59" W 285.05 meters to corner ; thence N 32°29'28" W meters to corner ; 1105.56 thence N 81°41'25" W 410.20 meters to corner N 10°40'08" E meters to corner thence 291.15 thence N 10°19'34" W 244.36 meters to corner ; thence N 17°19'08" W 481.06 meters to corner ; thence N 16°51'22" E 134.98 meters to corner ; thence N 82°12'21" W 680.74 meters to corner ; § 70°09'47" W 514.16 meters to corner ; thence thence § 78°33'01" W 496.83 meters to corner ; thence S 53°52'04" W 466.12 meters to corner ; thence S 37°24'26" W 3323.14 meters to corner thence N 73°32'34" W 319.56 meters to corner

thence S 74°53'37" W 357.77 meters to corner thence S 37°58'08" W 384.24 meters to corner thence S 14°44'36" E 281.86 meters to corner ; thence S 13°58'52" W 168.02 meters to corner ; thence S 37°34'36" W 167.09 meters to corner thence S 17°15'05" W 210.10 meters to corner thence S 55°33'41" W 217.11 meters to corner thence S 35°49'19" E 159.29 meters to corner ; thence S 80°47'32" W 254.37 meters to corner thence S 40°52'40" W 307.99 meters to corner ; meters to corner thence N 80°29'55" W 237.21 thence S 22°28'58" W 118.60 meters to corner thence N 78°26'18" W 342.73 meters to corner thence S 47°56'31" W 217.27 meters to corner thence S 08°05'46" E 174.11 meters to corner thence S 41°44'29" W 213.63 meters to corner ; thence S 56°15'33" W 181.01 meters to corner ; thence S 73°50'00 ' E 191.09 meters to corner ; thence S 12°05'38" E 156.24 meters to corner ; thence S 70°10'40" E 117.76 meters to corner thence S 40°07'05" E 308.92 meters to corner thence S 02°55'04" W 144.57 meters to corner -. S 24°31'25" E meters to corner thence 300.21 thence S 30°09'11" W 281.84 meters to corner thence S 28°11'26" E 185.39 meters to corner thence S 19°41'04" W 94.25 meters to corner ; thence § 76°48'50 ' E 736.70 meters to corner thence S 14°33'44" W meters to corner 1239.94 thence S 66°17'49" W 543.45 meters to corner thence S 15°31'23" W 790.86 meters to corner thence S 02°51'22" W 1295.38 meters to corner thence S 30°51'23" W 350.84 meters to corner

783.65 meters to corner thence N 85°16'05" W thence S 62°24'24" W 597.36 meters to corner thence S 79951'08" W 481.33 meters to corner thence N 11°09'20" W 373.80 meters to corner thence N 67°20'32" E 1016.29 meters to corner thence N 30°34'10" W 565.85 meters to corner thence S 89°27'50" W 367.41 meters to corner thence N 57°50'39" W 579.48 meters to corner ; thence N 20°01'17" W meters to corner 1487.06 thence S 31°54'50" W 908.44 meters to corner ; 898.91 meters to corner thence S 26°47'24" W thence S 86°50'52" W 453.71 meters to corner thence N 51°01'58" W 634.06 meters to corner thence S 41°24'01" W 997.93 meters to corner thence S 45°17'59" W 747.57 meters to corner thence S 71°51'55" W 787.32 meters to corner thence N 86°27'56" W 549.31 meters to corner ; thence S 22°24'50" W 410.47 meters to corner ; thence S 83°44'54" W 905.87 meters to corner ; thence N 58°51'37" W 444.59 meters to corner thence N 85°42'20" W meters to corner 573.60 thence S 57°26'20" W 423.39 meters to corner N 53°32'09" W 950.06 meters to corner thence thence S 60°02'51" W 1165.89 meters to corner thence S 20°38'15" W 874.65 meters to corner ; thence S 01°00'55" W 1013.58 meters to corner ; thence S 24°26'38" E 505.76 meters to corner S 46°29'04" E 335.62 meters to corner thence ; thence S 08°26'26" E 318.98 meters to corner thence S 68°10'18" W 945.43 meters to corner thence S 39°20'54" W 1842.07 meters to corner thence S 89037'12" W 2704.31 meters to corner

thence S 52°28'23" E 567.17 meters to corner thence S 23°12'10" E 1451.19 meters to corner thence S 65°04'13" E 875.60 meters to corner thence S 00°11'07" E meters to corner 884.68 thence S 38°42'15" W 416.60 meters to corner thence S 20°28'56" E meters to corner 772.36 thence S 33°02'29" W 1806.94 meters to corner thence S 10°56'05" W 1239.23 meters to corner thence S 33°16'13" W 2512.59 meters to corner thence S 00°17'55" W 2328.09 meters to corner thence S 34937'13" W meters to corner 1120.04 thence S 08044'28" W 1646.19 meters to corner thence S 66°59'01" W 780.12 meters to corner thence S 07°17'22" W 1693.67 meters to corner thence S 24°06'25" E 1875.89 meters to corner thence S 46058'34" E 3246.30 meters to corner thence S 54034'33" E 567.76 meters to corner thence S 20°57'01" E 592.63 meters to corner ; thence S 13°44'00" W 911.38 meters to corner thence N 55°27'22" W 3262.13 meters to corner thence S 38°27'42" W 847.20 meters to corner thence N 55°19'06" W 362.70 meters to corner thence N 12°14'09" W meters to corner 641.30 thence S 63°22'13" W 794.32 meters to corner thence N 09°19'31" E 267.57 meters to corner ; thence N 55°09'01" W 364.88 meters to corner thence S 81°07'04" W 394.88 meters to corner thence N 26°21'39" W meters to corner 649.12 thence N 32°34'49" W 1290.86 meters to corner meters to corner thence N 20°23'02" W 359.24 thence N 43°52'41" W 453.12 meters to corner thence N 21°52'19" E 1624.21 meters to corner

N 20°56'53" E thence 3480.43 meters to corner ; thence N 20°56'51" E 26.52 meters to corner thence N 25°13'11" W 12487.52 meters to corner thence N 18°15'23" W meters to corner 6644.96 thence N 17°12'34" W 4037.02 meters to corner ....= § 75°59'36" W meters to corner thence 236.98 thence S 33°55'27" W 226.04 meters to corner thence S 20°02'18"' W 540.41 meters to corner thence § 71°07'17" W 360.61 meters to corner .... thence S 58°07'17" W 495.85 meters to corner thence meters to corner S 15°52'42" E 563.45 thence S 43°52'42" E 101.43 meters to corner thence S 32°07'18" W 202.84 meters to corner thence S 06°40'41" E 394.29 meters to corner thence S 76°07'19" W 281.73 meters to corner thence S 30°44'13" W 438.90 meters to corner thence S 53°07'19" W 214.11 meters to corner thence S 02°55'36" E 461.75 meters to corner thence S 13°07'20" W 90.16 meters to corner thence N 88°20'18" W 304.67 meters to corner thence S 17°00'24" W meters to corner 904.04 thence S 03°00'25" W 378.44 meters to corner ; thence S 15°00'26" W meters to corner 378.44 thence S 45°56'11" W 467.21 meters to corner thence S 15°00'26" W 283.82 meters to corner thence N 44°10'47" W 95.17 meters to corner ; thence N 02°06'18" W 296.33 meters to corner ; thence N 16°12'23" W 507.70 meters to corner thence N 22°20'14" W 210.57 meters to corner meters to corner thence N 88°32'09" W 209.99 thence S 28°27'51" W 279.98 meters to corner ..... thence N 85°32'08" W 259.98 meters to corner

thence N 13°32'09" W 129.99 meters to corner thence S 70°27'51" W 299.98 meters to corner thence N 22°51'38" W 133.13 meters to corner thence N 89°40'49" W meters to corner 342.14 thence N 33°15'26" W 324.21 meters to corner meters to corner thence N 12°07'11" E 238.56 thence S 85°48'54" W 243.11 meters to corner meters to corner thence § 76°27'51" W 375.92 thence N 72°00'25" W 280.91 meters to corner thence N 53°20'24" W 535.28 meters to corner ; S 56°09'46" W meters to corner thence 142.91 ; thence N 71°37'41" W 525.93 meters to corner ; thence S 78°19'07" W 287.96 meters to corner ; thence S 38°47'19" W 490.49 meters to corner ; thence N 69°22'41" W 562.67 meters to corner ; thence S 87°01'47" W meters to corner 1021.28 thence N 16°56'21" E 200.98 meters to corner ; thence N 59°50'45" E 227.15 meters to corner ; thence N 32°46'28" E 226.58 meters to corner ; thence N 02°23'37" W 101.09 meters to corner N 33°46'45" W meters to corner thence 35.54 thence N 42°41'00" E 23.21 meters to corner ; meters to corner thence S 75°09'18" E 36.68 thence N 46°18'02" E 48.59 meters to corner ; thence N 03°01'20" E 171.58 meters to corner ; thence N 13°44'48" E meters to corner 96.39 thence N 31°22'45" E 104.80 meters to corner N 29°06'57" E meters to corner thence 259.39 thence N 04°28'32" E 126.03 meters to corner thence N 19°49'13" E 147.58 meters to corner thence N 29°51'40" E 103.76 meters to corner thence N 53°22'14" E 150.88 meters to corner

thence N 33°31'56" E 507.70 meters to corner thence S 75°56'12" E 173.83 meters to corner thence N 39°51'19" E 194.84 meters to corner thence N 82°40'52" E meters to corner 415.57 thence N 72°11'39" E 203.54 meters to corner thence S 43°04'13" E 376.85 meters to corner thence N 28°35'43" E 299.09 meters to corner thence N 48°06'23" E 437.77 meters to corner thence N 83°58'16" E 362.65 meters to corner thence N 55°58'58" E 365.48 meters to corner ; S 34°23'26" E meters to corner thence 117.39 thence S 04°27'40" E 383.02 meters to corner thence S 31°41'56" E 316.04 meters to corner thence S 39°51'33" E 281.18 meters to corner thence N 59°37'03" E 162.74 meters to corner thence N 12°32'46" E 152.25 meters to corner thence N 49°34'45" E 205.39 meters to corner ; thence S 76°26'30" E 180.44 meters to corner thence N 55°32'13" E 188.26 meters to corner thence S 79°27'47" E 306.22 meters to corner thence N 52°48'26" E 248.06 meters to corner thence N 70°10'08" E 515.08 meters to corner ; thence S 63°51'28" E meters to corner 94.15 thence N 71°53'09" E 166.42 meters to corner thence N 30°19'34" E 566.12 meters to corner thence N 14°43'05" E 237.46 meters to corner ; thence N 44°55'27" E 209.09 meters to corner thence N 23°23'23" E 160.68 meters to corner thence N 34°58'55" E 190.91 meters to corner ; thence N 52°07'23" E 282.32 meters to corner thence N 30°54'27" E 612.13 meters to corner ; thence N 49°27'46" E 269.99 meters to corner

meters to corner thence S 83°46'16" E 244.35 thence S 47°32'14" E 204.56 meters to corner thence N 60°49'57" E 473.54 meters to corner thence S 74904'38" E meters to corner 212.34 ; thence S 40°28'25" E 129.77 meters to corner ; S 88°24'58" E thence 125.04 meters to corner thence 5 64°43'13" E 136.37 meters to corner thence N 69°25'46" E 446.68 meters to corner thence N 49°05'24" E 528.39 meters to corner thence N 64°04'29" E 153.31 meters to corner 178.27 meters to corner thence N 79°28'30" E thence N 51°15'50"' E 226.11 meters to corner ; thence N 02°55'21" E 126.82 meters to corner ; thence N 25°19'26" E 241.27 meters to corner thence N 73°16'24" E 142.53 meters to corner ; thence N 50°42'22" E 131.28 meters to corner thence N 89°25'19" E 550.41 meters to corner thence N 26°03'05" W 210.57 meters to corner thence N 39°26'52" E 174.73 meters to corner thence N 06°06'58" E 260.89 meters to corner thence N 10°20'51" E 228.70 meters to corner thence N 49°25'58" E 141.02 meters to corner thence N 09°23'51" W meters to corner 471.97 ; thence N 31°27'06" W 202.05 meters to corner thence N 46°13'17" W 286.95 meters to corner thence N 01°39'31" W 89.00 meters to corner ; thence N 39°43'36" W 110.69 meters to corner thence N 07°52'05" W meters to corner 122.82 thence N 17°02'10" E 315.41 meters to corner ; thence N 08°19'38" E 177.07 meters to corner thence N 00°44'06" W 303.03 meters to corner ; thence S 65°36'45" E 144.51 meters to corner

thence S 50°25'56" E meters to corner 282.07 ; thence S 76°45'28" E 123.51 meters to corner ; thence S 25°37'02" E 253.60 meters to corner thence 5 42°09'11 " E 247.41 meters to corner ; thence S 87°51'14" E 276.71 meters to corner thence S 12°44'52" W 319.51 meters to corner ; thence S 32°08'45" E 263.70 meters to corner S 85°44'26" E thence 903.66 meters to corner thence N 23°23'18" E 123.78 meters to corner ; thence N 68°31'48" E 132.80 meters to corner ; thence N 29°57'15" E 225.55 meters to corner ; thence N 08°16'02" E 119.62 meters to corner ; thence N 46°24'32" E 86.57 meters to corner ; thence N 06°02'58" E 43.58 meters to corner thence N 44°27'43" E 27.07 meters to corner ; thence S 58°30'02" E 54.44 meters to corner ; thence N 84°39'09" E 231.88 meters to corner ; thence S 83°13'09" E meters to corner 161.11 ; thence S 18°16'59" E 218.49 meters to corner S 71°50'20" E meters to corner thence 57.12 ; thence N 35°42'56" E 92.90 meters to corner thence S 54°45'06" E 60.37 meters to corner thence N 85°23'09" E meters to corner 881.15 thence N 74°50'28" E 307.98 meters to corner N 68°45'27" E meters to corner thence 586.37 thence N 80°23'03" E 369.59 meters to corner thence N 87°01'28" E 203.17 meters to corner thence S 56°39'05" E 348.59 meters to corner thence S 88°02'58" E 497.15 meters to corner thence meters to corner S 77032'36" E 720.29 thence N 86°23'40" E 242.22 meters to corner ; thence N 51°10'09" E 104.55 meters to corner

§ 50°18'04" E meters to corner thence 220.65 ; thence S 74°05'19" E 236.43 meters to corner thence S 63°58'26 " E 502.20 meters to corner thence S 74°45'22" E 206.45 meters to corner thence N 33°45'00" E 345.01 meters to corner ; S 81°44'30 " E meters to corner thence 367.11 thence N 61°47'10" E 348.71 meters to corner meters to corner thence N 83°18'57" E 282.36 thence S 29°10'46" E meters to corner ; 237.00 thence S 13°40'34" E 247.20 meters to corner thence S 03°20'00" E meters to corner ; 202.39 thence S 00°32'37" W 467.16 meters to corner meters to corner thence S 38°25'20" E 384.54 thence S 47°07'59" E 585.99 meters to corner ; thence S 03°42'28" W 263.00 meters to corner ; thence S 60°34'33" W 653.14 meters to corner ; thence S 50°05'06" E 840.41 meters to corner S 40°04'11" E meters to corner thence 490.47 ; thence S 59°09'06" W 496.37 meters to corner thence N 47°03'03" W 193.91 meters to corner thence N 18°33'00" E 40.45 meters to corner thence N 09°20'00" W 42.82 meters to corner ; thence N 31°55'54" W meters to corner 251.79 ; thence N 52°27'44" W 192.23 meters to corner meters to corner thence N 60°36'18" W 199.49 thence § 12°04'56" W 629.47 meters to corner thence S 56°03'06" W 147.48 meters to corner thence S 22°00'11" W 150.31 meters to corner thence S 43°21'08" E 242.81 meters to corner S 17°34'34" W meters to corner thence 294.89 thence S 51°39'07" E 208.63 meters to corner -..- thence N 50°02'49" E 247.52 meters to corner

S 55°35'32" E 265.23 meters to corner thence ; thence N 64°24'17" E 222.65 meters to corner thence S 12°21'06" W 745.69 meters to corner ; thence S 85°23'47" E 153.61 meters to corner ; thence N 59°25'48' E 124.21 meters to corner ; S 89°51'02" E thence 230.42 meters to corner ; thence N 65°51'14" E 518.75 meters to corner thence S 63°42'29" E 221.02 meters to corner thence N 70°33'33" E 224.90 meters to corner ; thence N 88°52'57" E 583.75 meters to corner N 35°39'32" E 643.37 meters to corner thence ; thence N 43°15'50" E 2169.76 meters to corner ; thence S 23°38'35" W 274.68 meters to corner ; thence S 02°19'54" W 289.39 meters to corner ; thence S 31°09'04" E 112.11 meters to corner ; thence S 12°55'46" W meters to corner 89.34 ; thence S 77°51'49" E 107.95 meters to corner ; thence N 68°45'50" E 273.92 meters to corner ; thence N 16°15'04"' E 383.63 meters to corner ; thence N 06°20'40" E 409.14 meters to corner thence N 00°15'27" W 246.79 meters to corner thence N 79°26'25" E 204.60 meters to corner thence N 88°37'49" E 138.32 meters to corner thence N 70°40'57" E 168.63 meters to corner thence S 67°35'44" E 79.06 meters to corner ; thence N 54°05'35" E 171.09 meters to corner ; thence N 01°04'59" W 103.45 meters to corner ; S 84°32'28" E 178.65 meters to corner thence thence N 32°18'39" E 145.83 meters to corner meters to corner thence S 85°09'48" E 628.53 thence S 13°18'59" E 335.61 meters to corner thence § 43048'06"' E 210.05 meters to corner

thence S 09°45'41" E 266.63 meters to corner thence S 64°38'26" E meters to corner ; 172.54 thence S 12°34'05" E 140.30 meters to corner ; thence S 78°26'38" E meters to corner 96.63 thence S 15°19'12" E 167.51 meters to corner ; thence N 64°15'41" E 253.58 meters to corner thence S 59°34'24" E 78.69 meters to corner thence N 04°18'34" W 205.14 meters to corner ; thence S 83°33'23" E 111.05 meters to corner ; thence S 39°56'17" E 81.51 meters to corner ; S 62°34'48" E meters to corner thence 235.47 ; thence S 40°29'26" E 233.07 meters to corner ; thence S 21°54'28" E 111.12 meters to corner ; thence S 07°24'38" W 421.14 meters to corner ; thence S 21°09'48" W 140.63 meters to corner ; thence S 25°33'14" E meters to corner 148.94 ; thence S 16°50'08" E 200.38 meters to corner ; thence S 03°31'34" E 133.35 meters to corner ; thence S 31°13'51" E 70.11 meters to corner ; thence S 75°06'53" E 135.34 meters to corner ; thence N 89°41'59" E meters to corner ; 272.19 thence N 75°04'54" E 452.84 meters to corner ; thence N 24°32'48" E 350.20 meters to corner thence N 54°11'08" E 259.02 meters to corner thence N 28°00'42" W 253.54 meters to corner ; thence N 32°41'57" E 257.77 meters to corner ; thence N 02°47'40" E 182.71 meters to corner ; N 48°26'06" E meters to corner ; thence 224.78 thence N 11°32'43" E 120.16 meters to corner ; thence N 78°48'21" E 202.99 meters to corner ; thence S 60°06'48" E 227.01 meters to corner thence S 16°10'46" E 112.84 meters to corner

thence S 14°59'12" W 81.20 meters to corner ; thence S 09°59'31" E 513.91 meters to corner thence S 00°47'31" E 213.90 meters to corner ; thence S 27°37'57" E meters to corner ; 505.10 thence N 77°48'21" E 426.55 meters to corner ; thence N 60°57'00" E 277.65 meters to corner ; thence N 55°07'33" E 263.05 meters to corner thence N 80°33'46" E 690.94 meters to corner ; thence N 51°20'26" E 419.37 meters to corner ; thence N 37°22'08" W 171.02 meters to corner thence N 19°09'04" E 100.09 meters to corner ; thence N 66°10'36" E 172.16 meters to corner ; thence N 34°21'13" E 185.48 meters to corner thence N 85°01'48" E 259.00 meters to corner thence N 53°16'59" E 166.15 meters to corner thence N 06°31'05" W meters to corner 211.34 thence N 13°57'47" E 119.92 meters to corner ; thence N 49°19'15" E 284.11 meters to corner ; thence N 10°03'35" W 314.61 meters to corner thence N 73°33'22" E 214.84 meters to corner thence S 38°57'34" E 215.07 meters to corner thence S 70°19'06" E 108.27 meters to corner S 88°40'11" E meters to corner thence 111.82 thence S 76°42'17" E 248.96 meters to corner thence S 84°36'38" E 115.42 meters to corner thence 584044'32" E meters to corner ; 125.25 thence N 07052'34" W 164.42 meters to corner ; N 77°20'19" E meters to corner thence 278.88 ; thence N 41°09'58" E 111.59 meters to corner ; thence N 83°07'53" E 142.37 meters to corner thence N 72°18'25" E meters to corner 209.40 thence S 71°59'03" E 193.60 meters to corner

thence N 70°01'10" E 233.55 meters to corner ; thence S 47°09'25" E 91.10 meters to corner thence S 82°47'29" E 338.48 meters to corner thence N 85°59'41" E 156.87 meters to corner thence S 64°10'14" E 319.04 meters to corner thence S 88°47'01" E 103.51 meters to corner thence N 64°54'26" E 193.01 meters to corner thence N 17°21'30" E 165.89 meters to corner thence N 40°53'27" W 257.48 meters to corner ; thence N 89°38'56" W 104.01 meters to corner ; N 38°12'47" W meters to corner ; thence 134.46 thence N 17°49'43" E 447.17 meters to corner thence N 09°07'46" W 332.15 meters to corner ; thence N 00°48'21" E 329.16 meters to corner ; thence N 37°53'33" E 1095.88 meters to corner ; thence N 35°52'06" E 328.79 meters to corner ; thence N 21°18'38" W 624.82 meters to corner ; meters to corner thence N 03°47'43" W 177.60 ; thence N 28°41'30" E 1124.19 meters to corner ; thence N 54°35'48" W 62.21 meters to corner ; thence N 12°04'39" W 559.90 meters to corner ; thence N 80°13'46" E 812.76 meters to corner ; N 05°08'31" W meters to corner thence 275.94 thence N 59°20'04" E 390.10 meters to corner thence N 81°40'11" E 1436.03 meters to corner thence S 87958'25" E 319.74 meters to corner thence N 75°49'28" E 256.40 meters to corner S 05°59'31" E 229.98 meters to corner thence thence N 66°17'47" E 777.14 meters to corner thence N 21°07'04" E 1010.92 meters to corner thence S 64°28'54" E 484.42 meters to corner thence N 13°14'52" E 824.25 meters to corner .....

thence N 45°46'05" E meters to corner 304.65 ; thence S 78°17'52" E 508.64 meters to corner thence N 22°39'31" E 110.97 meters to corner thence N 86°44'27" E 287.65 meters to corner ; thence S 88°00'16" E 309.63 meters to corner 6 the point of beginning, containing an area of THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND SIX 7 HUNDRED ELEVEN (38,611) HECTARES, more or less. Bearings and distances of lines were derived using the PRS 92 Philippines Zone III coordinate system, subject to 9 ground delineation and demarcation. The certification from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) containing the boundaries and technical descriptions of the AMPL 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 AMPL in this Act shall be 15 made through an Act of Congress, after consultation with the government agencies 16 and stakeholders concerned.

Sec. 5. Establishment of Buffer Zones. - The Secretary of the Department of

18 Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the 19 Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) created under Section 6 of this Act, may 20 designate areas surrounding the AMPL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing 21 an extra layer of protection where restrictions may be applied: Provided, That in cases 22 where the designated buffer zone would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall 23 be required to design their development with due consideration to the protected area management plan. ARTICLE II MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS

Sec. 6. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the PAMB shall be created to oversee the management of the AMPL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following: a) DENR Regional Executive Director for Region III, as Chairperson;

b) Governors of the Provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija or their duly designated representatives; c) Senators of the Republic of the Philippines who are duly registered residents of the Province of Aurora and Nueva Ecija, or their duly authorized representatives, unless the Senators decline the membership in the PAMB; d) District Representatives of the Congressional Districts where the AMPL is located, or their duly designated representatives, unless the District Representatives decline the membership in the PAMB; e) Mayors of the Municipalities of Maria Aurora, San Luis, Baler and Dingalan in the Province of Aurora, and the Municipality of Bongabon, in the Province of Nueva Ecija or their duly designated representatives; f) Chairpersons of all the barangays with territorial jurisdiction over the AMPL; g) Regional Directors of the following government agencies, namely: 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) based in the Provinces of Aurora or Nueva Ecija, duly accredited both by the DENR and the provincial government. The NGOs or POs represented should have been in existence for at least five (5) years and with a track record in or related to protected area management; i) At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/Indigenous Peoples (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 Aurora or Nueva Ecija, with a 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 Aurora or Nueva Ecija, who is distinguished in a profession or field of interest relevant to the management of a protected area.

The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their 2 removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992" as 4 amended by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National 5 Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018".

Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the PAMB. - The PAMB shall have the following

7 powers and functions: a) Oversee the management of the AMPL; b) Approve policies, plans and programs, proposals, agreements, and other related documents for the management of the AMPL; c) Approve the management plan of the AMPL and ensure its harmonization with and integration into the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), land use plan and other development plans, public or private, and their 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 AMPL; f) Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan and manage the Protected Area Retention 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 government authorities with respect to the management of the AMPL; j) Monitor and assess the performance of the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) and other protected area personnel and compliance of partners with

the terms and conditions of any undertaking, contract or agreement relative to any project or activity within the AMPL; k) Recommend from among a shortlist of qualified candidates, the designation or appointment of the PASu; and I) Assess the effectiveness of the management of the AMPL: 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.

Sec. 8. The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). - 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 AMPL. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR. A sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR. The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the management and operations of the AMPL. 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 relevant national and LGU plans and programs into AMPL management plans, programs, projects, and policies;

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 AMPL, 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 AMPL; 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 AMPL; 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 for research purposes including the collection of wildlife and its by-products or derivatives, shall specify the acts to be authorized, and shall continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASu; j) Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for the AMPL: 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 AMPL based on the management plan; and I) 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

Sec. 9. The Aurora Memorial Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area

4 Fund (AMPL-IPAF). - There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the 5 Aurora Memorial Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (AMPL-IPAF) 6 for purposes of financing projects of the AMPL and the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation and management of AMPL shall accrue to the AMPL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees and charges from the use of facilities and from 9 permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the AMPL, proceeds from the lease of multiple-use areas, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the AMPL, and such other fees and income derived from the operation of the AMPL. 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 AMPL 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 of the National Treasury for purposes of financing the projects of the NIPAS. The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowments 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 business permits, property tax and rentals of LGUs' facilities.

ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 10. 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.

Sec. 11. Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law. —The provisions of Republic

7 Act No. 7586, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall have suppletory 8 application to this Act.

Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

10 the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall, in consultation with the local governments of the Municipalities of Maria Aurora, San Luis, Baler and Dingalan in the Province of Aurora, and the Municipality of Bongabon in the Province of Nueva Ecija, and concerned national government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 13. 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.

Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

19 regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,