This Order, consisting of 36 sections and rules, establishes specific policies governing the management of the NIPAS as follows: a) Protected areas and their neighbouring areas shall be contiguous to ensure their integrity; b) Protected areas should complement each other in terms of taxonomic representation, species migration patterns, maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems, and efficiency; c) The management plan of protected areas shall be harmonized in consonance with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development; d) The management of the NIPAS shall contribute to the significant reduction of biodiversity loss. In order to achieve the aforementioned policies of the NIPAS, the following strategies shall be adopted: a) In selecting areas for inclusion in the NIPAS, the conservation priority areas in any identified bio-geographic zones, in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, shall be primarily considered; b) The NIPAS should complement the designation, creation or establishment of similar conservation areas under other domestic laws, and the management regimes of LGUs, local communities, and indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs). This must likewise be consistent with, and supportive of the obligations of the Philippines under treaties and international laws; c) The sustainability of the NIPAS depends on the collaboration of all stakeholders through a functional, transparent, accountable, and participatory governance mechanism; the judicious use of the Integrated Protected Arca Fund; fair and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms; and the development of other means for the sustainable management of protected areas prescribed under the NIPAS Act, as amended. 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.
Philippines · 2019-05-03