Income from protected areas Nipas law amendments grant retention of 75% share of LGUs

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines— Amendments to the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, which is now waiting for the signature President Noynoy Aquino, provide for the automatic retention of 75 percent share of the income derived from the protected areas in Negros Oriental and the entire country.

This was the announcement of Rep. Pryde Henry Teves (3rd district, Negros Oriental) who, along with Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd dist.), have been pushing for this measure, which is now nearing enactment.

Teves said one of the basis amendments to the 20-year-old Republic Act 7586, or the NIPAS law, grants the DENR oversight functions and visitorial powers over the protected areas.

Teves said another basic amendment provides for the retention of 75 percent of the revenues from every protected area, hosted by a particular local government unit.

There are 240 protected areas around the country, with a total area of 35,700 square kilometers or 11.9 percent of the country's total land area.

Among these are the Apo Island of Dauin town in Negros Oriental, the more than 8-hectare Balinsasayao Twin Lakes in San Jose town of Negros Oriental and the Mount Kanlaon National Park situated in a 24-hectare lot in the boundaries of Negros Oriental and Occidental provinces.

Apo Island, a renowned diving site in the world, with an area of 691.45 hectares, is earning almost half a million a month from fees, 75 percent of which will now be retained automatically with the enactment of the amendments to the NIPAS law, Teves told The Freeman.

Under the amended law, all incomes generated from the operation of the system or management of wild flora and fauna shall accrue to the Trust Fund and shall be retained and utilized for the management and development of the protected area where the income is generated, said Teves.

The remaining 25 percent shall accrue to the NIPAS fund that shall be established at the DENR level for the purpose of funding management and development of other protected areas, he said.

At present, the revenues are remitted to the National Treasury. The LGU can only request later for its 75 percent share, and then wait for months or even years before it is given back, said Teves.

With the amendment, once enacted by the president, the 75 percent share is automatically retained by the LGU, to be deposited in government banks-such as the Land Bank of the Philippines or the Development Bank of the Philippines, disbursements of which will be signed by the mayor and the DENR regional director.  (FREEMAN)