Sen. Villar sets out a mission to save planet Earth, pushes for more protected areas under E-NIPAS

“We are very happy to come up with this legislation ensuring protection for more areas in our megadiverse country. We have to take action about this protection because any damage or loss will cost too much for a country such as ours.”

A staunch environmentalist, Senator Cynthia A. Villar has been leading the campaign in the conservation of the environment to even hold at bay climate change that could endanger all forms of life on earth.

The senator has embarked on legislation to protect and conserve biodiversity.

Protecting the environment and preserving ecosystems

Sen. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, noted that under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is a declared state policy that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, in line with safeguarding a healthful ecology.

She said the Constitution likewise mandates that Congress shall determine the national parks, which shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished except by law.

NIPAS Act builds system of protected areas

The National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 7586 on June 1, 1992, as amended by RA No. 11038, known as the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018.

The NIPAS Act of 2018 provides the state policy “to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of comprehensive system of integrated Protected Areas (PAs).”

Under Sec.3 of the NIPAS Act, there are at least seven categories of PAs. They are the Strict Nature Reserve, Natural Park, Natural Monument, Wildlife Sanctuary, Protected Landscapes and Seascapes, Resource Reserve and Natural Biotic Areas. Other categories established by law, conventions or international agreements which the Philippine government is a signatory.

Because of this, Sen. Villar cited the need for stricter implementation of environmental laws especially in protected areas that serve as natural habitats for wildlife, including endangered animals that contribute significantly to biodiversity.

Sen. Villar asserted they should not be damaged or destroyed, but protected instead, not only for the animals’ sake but for our sake as well.

13 Protected Areas under Original NIPAS Act

Warnings vs environmental destruction

Despite the Philippines being biodiversity-rich, the country is also among the world’s biodiversity hot spots or those areas experiencing high rates of habitat loss.

Expanding NIPAS Act

Due to this, Sen. Villar led legislative efforts to amend RA 7586 or the National NIPAS Act of 1992. She was principal sponsor of RA 11038 or the law expanding the National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) that President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into law last June 22, 2018.

The law provides the legal framework for the establishment and management of protected areas in the country. NIPAS refers to the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to preserve genetic diversity and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible. The Expanded NIPAS Act was passed in 2017 to include more areas.

The Expanded NIPAS Law facilitated the legislation of 94 more protected areas through the effort of Sen. Villar:

To date, Sen. Villar said there are 107 protected areas in the country that have been so declared through legislation.

Sen. Villar said at least six of these are internationally recognized: RAMSAR Sites: Las Piñas Parañaque Wetland Park, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tubbataha Reefs. Heritage Sites: Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok and Mount Iglit-Baco. Malaysia-Philippines Heritage Parks: Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area.

However, based on the records and suitability, assessments by the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR, she emphasized there are still numerous sites in the country that have to be given ‘protected area’ status.

94 Protected Areas under Republic Act 11038 or E-NIPAS

Sen. Villar said additional six protected areas to be legislated by the Senate Committee on Environment which she chaired during the 18th Congress. These are:

Mount Pulag, Banao, Tirad Pass, Mount Arayat, and Naga-Kabasalan are all protected landscapes while Sicogon is a wildlife sanctuary.

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