1 ubllc Lands ulsLlngulshed lrom CLher CovernmenL Lands

a CovernmenL lands ln general publlc land ls equlvalenL Lo publlc domaln and does noL
lnclude all lands of governmenL ownershlp buL only so much of sald lands as are Lhrown
open Lo prlvaLe approprlaLlon and seLLlemenL ln accordance wlLh Lhe general laws
CovernmenL lands" and publlc lands" are noL synonymous Lerms Lhe flrsL lncludes noL
only Lhe second buL also oLher lands of Lhe governmenL already reserved or devoLed Lo
publlc use or sub[ecL Lo prlvaLe rlghLs
b aLrlmonlal properLy of Lhe governmenL a land belonglng Lo Lhe sLaLe as a prlvaLe
lndlvldual wlLhouL belng devoLed Lo common use ls a paLrlmonlal properLy of Lhe sLaLe
c lrlar lands lands acqulred by Lhe governmenL durlng Lhe LafL admlnlsLraLlon ln 1903 from
rellglous corporaLlon or orders are referred Lo as frlar lands
d CLher lands lands wlLhln blg landed esLaLes acqulred by Lhe governmenL ln Lhe exerclse of
Lhe auLhorlLy
2 rlnclpal forms of concesslon of publlc agrlculLural lands
a lor homesLead seLLlemenL
b 8y sale
c 8y lease
d 8y conflrmaLlon of lmperfecL or lncompleLe LlLles
l 8y [udlclal legallzaLlon
ll 8y admlnlsLraLlve legallzaLlon (free paLenL)(secLlon 11 com AcL no 141as
amended)
e lree LlLle (com AcL no691 as amended by rep acL no63)
3 AdmlnlsLraLlon of publlc land
a 1he secreLary of agrlculLure and naLural resource (now mlnlsLer lf naLural resources) shall
be Lhe execuLlve offlcer charged wlLh carrylng ouL Lhe provlslons of Lhe publlc land acL
Lhrough Lhe dlrecLor of lands who shall acL under lmmedlaLe conLrol
4 Land for Lhe landless pollcy
lL ls Lhe pollcy of congress Lo help speed up Lhe free dlsLrlbuLlon of agrlculLural lands of Lhe
publlc domaln Lo landless LenanLs and farm workers who are clLlzens of Lhe hlllpplnes and Lo
encourage mlgraLlon Lo sparsely populaLed reglons pursuanL Lo Lhe fundamenLal pollcy of Lhe
governmenL Lo promoLe Lhe level of producLlon employmenL and llvlng sLandards of Lhe
people
a lorclble enLry or occupaLlon of publlc agrlculLural lands penalLy
8epubllc acL no947
lL shall be unlawful for any person corporaLlon or assoclaLlon Lo enLer or occupy Lhrough
force lnLlmldaLlon LhreaL sLraLegy or sLealLh any publlc agrlculLural land lncludlng such
publlc lands as are granLed Lo prlvaLe lndlvlduals under Lhe provlslon of Lhe republlc land acL
or any oLher laws provldlng for Lhe dlsposal of publlc agrlculLural lands ln Lhe hlllpplnes and
are duly covered by Lhe correspondlng appllcaLlons requlred for Lhe purpose
noLwlLhsLandlng Lhe facL LhaL LlLle LhereLo sLlll remalns ln Lhe governmenL or for any person
naLural or [urldlcal Lo lnsLlgaLe lnduce or force anoLher Lo commlL such acLs
b uuLy of clalmanL Lo leglLlmlze hls clalm of possesslon and culLlvaLlon before Lhe bureau of
lands
c lL ls Lhe duLy of any clalmanL Lo Lake poslLlve sLeps Lo leglLlmlze before Lhe bureau of lands
hls clalm of possesslon and culLlvaLlon of Lhe publlc land 1he clalmanL may do Lhls by elLher
applylng for Lhe homesLead seLLlemenL sale paLenL lease or conflrmaLlon of lmperfecL or
lncompleLe LlLle by [udlclal legallzaLlon under secLlon 48(b) of Lhe publlc land law as
amended by ra no 1842 and pd 1073 or by admlnlsLraLlve legallzaLlons (free paLenL)
under secLlon 11 of publlc land law as amended
3 PomesLead seLLlemenL
a ersons enLlLled Lo a homesLead
l When she ls llvlng separaLely from her husband and ls noL dependenL upon hlm for
her supporL
ll When her husband ls lnsane or physlcally lncapaclLaLed Lo work
lll When her husband ls ln prlson servlng a Lerm of such duraLlon as would prevenL
hlm from complylng wlLh Lhe requlremenLs of Lhe law regardlng resldence on Lhe
land ( sec 8 land admlnlsLraLlve order no7)
b Cnly one homesLead enLry allowed when addlLlonal enLry maybe made
As a rule no more Lhan one homesLead enLry shall be allowed Lo any one person Lo whom a
homesLead paLenL has been lssued by vlrLue of Lhe provlslons of Lhe publlc land acL
regardless of Lhe area of hls orlglnal homesLead
c 1he procedure followed
l lllllng of Lhe appllcaLlon wlLh Lhe dlrecLor of lands
ll upon approval of sald appllcaLlon Lhe dlrecLor of lands shall auLhorlze Lhe appllcanL
Lo Lake possesslon of Lhe land upon paymenL of p300 as enLry fee
lll WlLhln slx monLhs from Lhe approval of Lhe appllcaLlon Lhe appllcanL musL begln
culLlvaLlon of Lhe land Pe musL culLlvaLe aL leasL oneflfLh of Lhe land for a perlod of
less Lhan one or flve years from Lhe daLe of Lhe approval of Lhe appllcaLlon
lv 1he appllcanL prove saLlsfacLorlly Lo Lhe dlrecLor of lands LhaL he has reslded
conLlnuously for aL leasL one year ln Lhe munlclpallLy where Lhe land ls slLuaLed or ln
a munlclpallLy ad[acenL LhereLo and has culLlvaLed aL leasL oneflfLh of Lhe land
8efore submlLLlng hls flnal proof relaLlve Lo Lhe compllance of Lhe law he musL glve
due noLlce Lo Lhe publlc Lo hls lnLenLlon Lo make such proof
v 1he dlrecLor of lands saLlsfled LhaL Lhe appllcanL has complled wlLh Lhe requlslLes lf
Lhe law orders LhaL Lhe land be surveyed by a surveyor of Lhe bureau of lands And
Lhe correspondlng plan Lhereof prepared
vl 1he bureau of lands prepares Lhe homesLead paLenL lssued ln Lhe name of Lhe
republlc of Lhe hlllpplnes under Lhe slgnaLure of Lhe presldenL of Lhe hlllpplnes
vll CerLlfled copy of Lhe paLenL ls senL Lo Lhe reglsLrar of deeds of Lhe provlnce where
Lhe land lles for Lhe reglsLraLlon of Lhe same 1hereupon an orlglnal cerLlflcaLe ls
lssued Lo Lhe paLenLee ln accordance wlLh secLlon 122 of acL no 496 ln relaLlon Lo
Lhe publlc land acL
d 8lghL Lo noLlce before cancellaLlon of enLry
lf before Lhe explraLlon of Llme provlded by law for Lhe maklng of flnal proof lL shall be
proven afLer due noLlce Lo Lhe homesLeader LhaL Lhe land enLered ls noL sub[ecL Lo Lhe
homesLead enLry or LhaL Lhe homesLeader had falled Lo comply wlLh Lhe provlslons of Lhe
publlc land acL Lhe dlrecLor of lands may cancel enLry (see sec16comacL no141)

e 8lghLs vesLed ln a homesLeader before lssuance of paLenL
When a homesLeader has complled wlLh all Lhe Lerms and condlLlons whlch enLlLled hlm Lo a
paLenL for a parLlcular LracL of publlc land he acqulred a vesLed lnLeresL Lhereln and ls Lo be
regarded as Lhe equlLable owner Lhereof
f 8evlew of cerLlflcaLe of LlLle lssued pursuanL of paLenL on ground of fraud
lraud as a ground of revlew of LlLle under secLlon 38 of acL no 496 ls noL appllcable Lo a
case where a cerLlflcaLe of LlLle was lssued ln pursuance of a paLenL appllcaLlon
g 8lghL of a bona flde" appllcanL of publlc land
A bona flde appllcanL of publlc land may be consldered as havlng a rlghL Lo Lhe land
occupled whlch may enLlLle hlm Lo sue ln Lhe courL of [usLlce for a remedy for Lhe reLurn of
Lhe possesslon Lhereof such an acLlon of forclble enLry or unlawful deLalner or any oLher
sulLable remedy provlded by law
h May a homesLead appllcanL occupy and culLlvaLe Lhe land on behalf of anoLher person and
afLer obLalnlng LlLle LhereLo Lransfer a porLlon Lhereof Lo Lhe laLLer?
A homesLead appllcanL ls requlred by law Lo occupy and culLlvaLe Lhe land of hls own and
famlly's beneflL and noL for Lhe beneflL of someone else lf he occuples and culLlvaLes lL on
behalf of anoLher person and obLalns LlLle LhereLo on Lhe undersLandlng LhaL Lhe porLlon
Lhereof would be Lransferred Lo Lhe laLLer such agreemenL ls valld
l LffecL of lssuance of LlLle Lo homesLeader
A cerLlflcaLe of LlLle lssued Lo Lhe granLee of a homesLead paLenL pursuanL Lo Lhe provlslons
of secLlon 122 of acL no496(now secLlon 103 of pd 1329) ls noL concluslve proof of LlLle
and confers no beLLer rlghL Lhan Lhe conferred by Lhe paLenL
[ 8eglsLraLlon of paLenLs under acL no 496 mandaLory
1he law expressly requlres LhaL all paLenLs or cerLlflcaLes for lands of Lhe publlc domaln LhaL
may be granLed be reglsLered ln accordance Lo secLlon 122 of Lhe land reglsLraLlon acL(now
sec 103 of pd 1329)
k MorLgage of land applled for as homesLead
Cn november 10 1930 Lhe spouse g and v morLgage ln favor of s Lhelr homesLead paLenL
whlch was lssued on CcLober 18 1926 1he morLgage was reglsLered on CcLober 3 1932
1he morLgage was glven as securlLy for loans orlglnaLlng ln 1920 and llquldaLed on
november 10 1930
lL was held LhaL Lhe lnsLrumenL consLlLuLlng Lhe morLgage on a parcel of land for whlch Lhe
appllcaLlon for lssuance of a homesLead has been flled and has been flve years flxed by law
from and afLer lssuance of Lhe homesLead paLenL ls null and vold ab lnlLlo and Lhe noLaLlon
Lhereof upon Lhe orlglnal cerLlflcaLe of Lorrens LlLle lssued Lo Lhe appllcanL does noL glve
valldlLy Lo sald morLgage on Lhe ground LhaL lL would sub[ecL and sald land Lo Lhe
saLlsfacLlon of an obllgaLlon conLracLed prlor Lo Lhe explraLlon of Lhe abovesLaLed perlod of
flve years (sabas vsgarma eL al 66 phll 471)
l LlmlLaLlon Lo a homesLead paLenL
l aLenL does noL conclude nor convey Lhe LlLle Lo any gold sllver copper lron or
oLher meLals mlnerals or oLher subsLances such as guano gums preclous sLones
coal or oll conLalned ln Lhe land granLed Lhere under 1hey remaln as properLy of
governmenL
ll 1he land covered by Lhe paLenL ls sub[ecL Lo publlc servlLudes
lll lL ls sub[ecL Lo rlghL of way of noL more Lhan 20 meLers ln wldLh and such of lengLh
as may be needed by Lhe governmenL
lv lL ls sub[ecL Lo Lhe rlghL of Lhe governmenL Lo make rules for Lhe use of waLer and
proLecLlon of Lhe waLer supply
v lL ls sub[ecL Lo Lhe rlghL of governmenL Lo use for power purposes any flow of waLer
runnlng Lhrough Lhe land covered by Lhe paLenL (secs 110118com AcL no 141as
amended)
6 Sales paLenL
a ersons enLlLled Lo apply
Any llllplno clLlzen of lawful age and any such clLlzen noL of lawful age who ls head of a
famlly may purchase any LracL of publlc agrlculLural land noL Lo exceed LwenLyfour
hecLares (secLlon 11 arLlcle lv 1973 consLlLuLlon) no flllplno prlvaLe corporaLlon or
assoclaLlon may purchase allenable lands of Lhe publlc domaln pursuanL Lo Lhe same
consLlLuLlonal provlslon as declded ln Lhe case of meralco vs florellana casLro barLolome of
Cll of rlzal MakaLl branch xy and republlc of Lhe hlllpplnes 114 scra 799 (1982) Allens
cannoL acqulre agrlculLural lands ln Lhe hlllpplnes (levy vs ledesma 69 phll49plngdangan
vs schenkel 46 og 3318)
b May sales rlghLs Lo be Lransferred even wlLhouL approval of Lhe mlnlsLer of naLural
resources?
AfLer Lhe culLlvaLlon of Lhe land has been begun Lhe purchaser wlLh Lhe approval wlLh Lhe
mlnlsLer of naLural resources may convey or encumber hls rlghLs Lo any person
corporaLlon or assoclaLlon legally quallfled under Lhls acL Lo purchase agrlculLural lands
provlded such conveyance or encumbrance does noL affecL any rlghL or lnLeresL of Lhe
governmenL ln Lhe land and provlded furLher 1haL Lhe Lransferor ls noL dellnquenL ln Lhe
paymenL of any lnsLallmenL due and payable
c AddlLlonal purchases allowed
A purchaser or publlc agrlculLural land ls noL forbldden Lo make subsequenL purchases of
addlLlonal purchases of addlLlonal areas of such land provlded Lhe followlng condlLlons are
saLlsfled
l 1haL Lhe addlLlonal land Lo be purchased shall be ad[acenL Lo or noL dlsLanL from Lhe
land orlglnally purchased
ll 1haL Lhe LoLal area of Lhe land purchased and Lo be purchased shall noL exceed Lhe
maxlmum allowed LhaL ls 24 hecLares (arLxlv secLlon 11 1973 consLlLuLlon)
lll 1haL Lhe prevlous purchase or purchases musL have been fully pald
lv 1haL aL leasL 1/3 of Lhe land prevlously purchased musL have been culLlvaLed
v 1haL all addlLlonal purchases shall be sub[ecL Lo Lhe same condlLlons as are
prescrlbed by Lhe publlc land acL for Lhe flrsL purchase ( com AcL no 141 sec 32)
7 lree paLenL of admlnlsLraLlve legallzaLlon
a ersons enLlLled Lo apply
Any naLural born clLlzen of Lhe hlllpplnes who ls noL Lhe owner or more Lhan 24 hecLares
and who slnce !uly 4 1943 or prlor LhereLo has conLlnuously occupled and culLlvaLed
wheLher by hlmself or by hls predecessorlnlnLeresL or who shall have pald Lhe real esLaLe
Lax Lhereon ls enLlLled Lo apply for a free paLenL or graLulLous granL of sald land provlded lL
ls noL more LhaL 24 hecLares ln area (sec44 publlc land law as amended by rep acL 782)
b rocedure
A free paLenL or admlnlsLraLlve legallzaLlon may be obLalned ln accordance wlLh Lhe
followlng procedure
l llllng of Lhe appllcaLlon wlLh Lhe dlrecLor of lands wlLh Lhe correspondlng noLlce
regardlng hls appllcaLlon posLed ln Lhe munlclpallLy and barrlo ln whlch Lhe land ls
slLuaLed
ll upon recelpL of Lhe appllcaLlon Lhe dlrecLor of lands shall make an lnvesLlgaLlon as
Lo wheLher or noL Lhe appllcanL has Lhe requlred quallflcaLlons
lll 1he dlrecLor of lands saLlsfled LhaL Lhe appllcanL has complled wlLh Lhe requlslLes of
Lhe law orders Lhe survey of Lhe land
lv When Lhe plan ls flnlshed Lhe free paLenL ls prepared lssued and reglsLered ln Lhe
same manner as a homesLead paLenL
8 lree LlLle
CommonwealLh acL no691 as amended by acL no 63 provldes for Lhe free dlsposlLlon of loLs of
24 hecLares each of agrlculLural lands and 1600 square meLers each resldenLlal lands of Lhe
publlc domaln Lo any clLlzen of Lhe hlllpplnes who ls more Lhan 18 years of age and who does
noL own 24 hecLares of land or has noL avalled of Lhe beneflLs of any free dlsposlLlon of any
publlc land slnce Lhe occupaLlon of Lhe hlllpplnes by Lhe unlLed SLaLes reference ls glven Lo
Lhose who are lndlgenLs as well as Lhose who have any dependenLs Lo supporL
9 Lease
a Who are enLlLled Lo lease area llmlLaLlons
A LracL of publlc agrlculLural land avallable for Lhe purpose wlll be leased Lo any llllplno
clLlzen of lawful age and any corporaLlon or assoclaLlon of whlch 60 of caplLal sLock or of
any lnLeresL ln sald caplLal sLocks belongs wholly Lo llllplnos and whlch ls organlzed and
consLlLuLed under Lhe laws of Lhe hlllpplnes (secLlon 33 comacL no141)
WlLh respecL Lo Lhe area LhaL may be leased Lhe llmlLaLlon ls up Lo 1000 hecLares for
corporaLlons or assoclaLlons and 300 hecLares for lndlvlduals (sec 11 arLlcle xlv 1973
consLlLuLlon)
10 lorms of dlsposlLlon or concesslon lf oLher dlsposable publlc lands
a Lands for resldenLlal commerclal or lndusLrlal uses
l 8eclalmed lands Lhose formerly under waLer buL flles by Lhe governmenL llke Lhe
areas ad[olnlng Lhe norLh and souLh harbors
ll loreshores parL of Lhe land ad[acenL Lo Lhe sea whlch ls acLually covered and lefL
dry by Lhe ordlnary flow of Lldes
lll Marshy lands covered wlLh waLer borderlng upon Lhe shores or banks or navlgable
lakes and rlvers
lv Lands noL lncluded ln Lhe foregolng (sec39 com AcL no14)
11 8lghL of re purchase who may exerclse
Lvery conveyance of land acqulred under Lhe free paLenL or homesLead provlslons of Lhe publlc
land acL when proper shall be sub[ecL Lo repurchase by Lhe appllcanL hls wldow or legal helrs
wlLhln Lhe perlod of flve years from daLe of conveyance (com acL no141 sec 119) 1hls perlod ls
Lo be counLed from Lhe daLe of Lhe sale and noL from Lhe daLe of reglsLraLlon ln Lhe offlce of Lhe
reglsLer of deeds lf Lhere was an agreemenL Lo LhaL effecL (galanza vs nuesa 93 phll 713)

naLlonal lnLegraLed roLecLed areas SysLem AcL of 1992
8A 7386 approved on !une 1 1992 and Look effecL on !uly 201992

WhaL Lhe law ls all abouL?
W 1he nlAS Law recognlzed Lhe lnLegraLed proLecLed areas sysLem (lAS) as a powerful
mechanlsm for Lhe conservaLlon of hlllpplne dlverslLy
W 1he law covers ln deLall Lhe 13 sLeps Lo declare a 8C1LC1Lu area
W 1ogeLher wlLh Lhe Wlldllfe 8esources ConservaLlon AcL (8A 9147) lL ls Lhe hlllpplne
commlLmenL Lo Lhe lnLernaLlonal communlLy Lo 8lodlverslLy

Sec 2 ueclaraLlon of ollcy
W lL ls declared Lhe pollcy of Lhe SLaLe Lo secure for Lhe llllplno people of presenL and fuLure
generaLlons Lhe perpeLual exlsLence of all naLlve planLs and anlmals Lhrough Lhe esLabllshmenL
of a comprehenslve sysLem of lnLegraLed proLecLed areas wlLhln Lhe classlflcaLlon of naLlonal
park as provlded ln Lhe ConsLlLuLlon
W ln recognlLlon of Lhe profound lmpacL of man's acLlvlLles on all componenLs of Lhe naLural
envlronmenL parLlcularly Lhe effecL of lncreaslng populaLlon resource explolLaLlon and lndusLrlal
advancemenL and
W 8ecognlzlng Lhe crlLlcal lmporLance of proLecLlng and malnLalnlng Lhe naLural blologlcal and
physlcal dlverslLles of Lhe envlronmenL noLably on areas wlLh blologlcally unlque feaLures Lo
susLaln human llfe and developmenL as well as planL and anlmal llfe
W lL ls declared LhaL Lhese areas are recognlzed Lo possess ecologlcal values LhaL may be
lncorporaLed lnLo a hollsLlc plan represenLaLlve of our naLural herlLage
W LffecLlve admlnlsLraLlon of Lhese areas ls posslble only Lhrough cooperaLlon among naLlonal
governmenL local governmenL and concerned prlvaLe organlzaLlons
W 1he use and en[oymenL of Lhese proLecLed areas musL be conslsLenL wlLh Lhe prlnclples of
blologlcal dlverslLy and susLalnable developmenL
W 1o achleve Lhe ob[ecLlves of Lhe AcL a naLlonal lnLegraLed Areas SysLem (nlAS) ls esLabllshed
whlch shall encompass ouLsLandlngly remarkable areas and blologlcally lmporLanL publlc lands
LhaL are hablLaLs of rare and endangered specles of planLs and anlmals blogeographlc zones and
relaLed ecosysLems wheLher LerresLrlal weLland or marlne all whlch shall be deslgnaLed as
8C1LC1Lu A8LAS

Sec CaLegorles of roLecLed
Areas
W 1he ff caLegorles are esLabllshed
W a) SLrlcL naLure reserve
W b) naLural park
W c) naLural monumenL
W d) Wlldllfe sancLuary
W e) roLecLed landscapes and seascapes
W f) 8esource reserve
W g) naLural bloLlc areas and
W h) CLher caLegorles esLabllshed by law convenLlons or lnLernaLlonal agreemenLs whlch Lhe
hlllpplne governmenL ls a slgnaLory

Sec 4 ueflnlLlon of 1erms
W a) naLlonal lnLegraLed roLecLed Areas SysLem ls Lhe classlflcaLlon and admlnlsLraLlon of all
deslgnaLed proLecLed areas Lo malnLaln essenLlal ecologlcal processes and llfesupporL sysLems
Lo preserve geneLlc dlverslLy Lo ensure susLalnable use of resources found Lhereln and Lo
malnLaln Lhelr naLural condlLlons Lo Lhe greaLesL exLenL posslble
W b) roLecLed area refers Lo ldenLlfled porLlons of land and waLer seL aslde by reason of Lhelr
unlque physlcal and blologlcal slgnlflcance managed Lo enhance blologlcal dlverslLy and
proLecLed agalnsL desLrucLlve human explolLaLlon
W c) 8uffer zones are ldenLlfled areas ouLslde Lhe boundarles of and lmmedlaLely ad[acenL Lo
deslgnaLed proLecLed areas pursuanL Lo SecLlon 8 LhaL need speclal developmenL conLrol ln
order Lo avold or mlnlmlze harm Lo Lhe proLecLed area
W d) lndlgenous culLural communlLy refers Lo a group of people sharlng common bonds of
language cusLoms LradlLlons and oLher dlsLlncLlve culLural LralLs and who have slnce Llme
lmmemorlal occuples possessed and uLlllzed a LerrlLory
W e) naLlonal park refers Lo a foresL reservaLlon essenLlally of naLural wllderness characLer
whlch has been wlLhdrawn from seLLlemenL occupancy or any form of explolLaLlon excepL ln
conformlLy wlLh approved managemenL plan and seL aslde as such excluslvely Lo conserve Lhe
area or preserve Lhe scenery Lhe naLural and hlsLorlc ob[ecLs wlld anlmals and planLs Lhereln
and Lo provlde en[oymenL of Lhese feaLures ln such areas
W f) naLural monumenL ls a relaLlvely small area focused on proLecLlon of small feaLures Lo
proLecL or preserve naLlonally slgnlflcanL naLural feaLures on accounL of Lhelr speclal lnLeresL or
unlque characLerlsLlcs
W g) naLural bloLlc area ls an area seL aslde Lo allow Lhe way of llfe of socleLles llvlng ln harmony
wlLh Lhe envlronmenL Lo adapL Lo modern Lechnology aL Lhelr pace
W h) naLural park ls a relaLlvely large area noL maLerlally alLered by human acLlvlLy where
exLracLlve resource uses are noL allowed and malnLalned Lo proLecL ouLsLandlng naLural and
scenlc areas of naLlonal or lnLernaLlonal slgnlflcance for sclenLlflc educaLlonal and recreaLlon
use
W l) roLecLed landscapes / seascapes are areas of naLlonal slgnlflcance whlch are characLerlzed
by Lhe harmonlous lnLeracLlon of man and land whlle provldlng opporLunlLles for publlc
en[oymenL Lhrough recreaLlon and Lourlsm wlLhln Lhe normal llfesLyle and economlc acLlvlLy of
Lhese areas
W [) 8esource reserve ls an exLenslve and relaLlvely lsolaLed and unlnhablLed area normally wlLh
dlfflculL access deslgnaLed as such Lo proLecL naLural resources of Lhe area for fuLure use and
prevenL or conLaln developmenL acLlvlLles LhaL could affecL Lhe resource pendlng Lhe
esLabllshmenL of ob[ecLlves whlch are based upon approprlaLe knowledge and plannlng
W k) SLrlcL naLure reserve ls an area possesslng some ouLsLandlng ecosysLem feaLures and/or
specles of flora and fauna of naLlonal sclenLlflc lmporLance malnLalned Lo proLecL naLure and
malnLaln processes ln an undlsLurbed sLaLe ln order Lo have ecologlcally represenLaLlve
examples of Lhe naLural envlronmenL avallable for sclenLlflc sLudy envlronmenLal monlLorlng
educaLlon and for Lhe malnLenance of geneLlc resources ln a dynamlc and evoluLlonary sLaLe
W l) 1enured mlgranL communlLles are communlLles wlLhln proLecLed areas whlch have acLually
and conLlnuously occupled such areas for flve (3) years before Lhe deslgnaLlon of Lhe same as
proLecLed areas ln accordance wlLh Lhls AcL and are solely dependenL Lhereln for subslsLence
and
W m) Wlldllfe sancLuary comprlses an area whlch assures Lhe naLural condlLlons necessary Lo
proLecL naLlonal slgnlflcanL specles groups of specles bloLlc communlLles or physlcal feaLures of
Lhe envlronmenL where Lhese may requlre speclflc human manlpulaLlon for helr perpeLuaLlon

Sec 3 LsLabllshmenL and LxLenL of Lhe SysLem
W 1he esLabllshmenL and operaLlonallzaLlon of Lhe SysLem shall lnvolve Lhe ff
W a) All areas or lslands ln Lhe hlllpplnes proclalmed deslgnaLed or seL aslde pursuanL Lo a law
u presldenLlal proclamaLlon or execuLlve order as naLlonal park game refuge blrd and wlldllfe
sancLuary wllderness area sLrlcL naLural reserve waLershed mangrove reserve flsh sancLuary
naLural and hlsLorlcal landmark proLecLed and managed landscape/seascape as well as
ldenLlfled vlrgln foresLs before Lhe effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL are deslgnaLed as lnlLlal componenLs of
Lhe SysLem 1he lnlLlal componenLs of Lhe SysLem shall be governed by exlsLlng laws rules and
regulaLlons noL lnconslsLenL wlLh Lhls AcL
W b) All uLn8 records perLalnlng Lo sald proLecLed areas lncludlng maps and legal descrlpLlons or
naLural boundarles coples of rules and regulaLlons governlng Lhem coples of publlc noLlces of
and reporLs submlLLed Lo Congress regardlng pendlng addlLlons ellmlnaLlons or modlflcaLlons
shall be made avallable Lo Lhe publlc 1hese legal documenLs perLalnlng Lo proLecLed areas shall
also be avallable Lo Lhe publlc ln Lhe respecLlve uLn8 8eglonal offlces Ln8Cs and CLn8Cs
where nlAS areas are locaLed

Sec 6 AddlLlonal Areas Lo be lnLegraLed Lo Lhe SysLem
W 1he uLn8 SecreLary shall propose Lhe lncluslon ln Lhe SysLem of addlLlonal areas wlLh
ouLsLandlng physlcal feaLures anLhropologlcal slgnlflcance and blologlcal dlverslLy ln accordance
wlLh Lhe revlew and sLudy of each area Laklng lnLo conslderaLlon Lhe ff
W a) foresL occupanL's survey
W b) eLhnographlc sLudy
W c) proLecLed area resource proflle
W d) land use plans done ln coordlnaLlon wlLh Lhe
W perspecLlve 8eglonal uevelopmenL Counclls
W e) such oLher background sLudles as wlll be sufflclenL
W bases for selecLlon

Sec 7 ulsesLabllshmenL as roLecLed Areas
W When ln Lhe oplnlon of Lhe uLn8 a cerLaln area should be wlLhdrawn or dlsesLabllshed or lLs
boundarles modlfled as warranLed by a sLudy and sancLloned by Lhe ma[orlLy of Lhe members of
Lhe respecLlve boards for Lhe proLecLed area as hereln esLabllshed ln SecLlon 11 lL shall ln Lurn
advlse Congress
W ulsesLabllshmenL of a proLecLed area under Lhe SysLem or modlflcaLlon of lLs boundary shall
Lake effecL pursuanL Lo an AC1 of CCnC8LSS 1hereafLer sald area shall reverL Lo Lhe caLegory
of publlc foresL unless oLherwlse classlfled by Congress
W AfLer dlsesLabllshmenL by Congress Lhe uLn8 SecreLary may recommend Lhe Lransfer of such
dlsesLabllshed area Lo oLher governmenL agencles Lo serve oLher prlorlLy programs of naLlonal
lnLeresL

Sec 8 8uffer Zones
W lor each proLecLed area Lhere shall be esLabllshed perlpheral buffer zones when necessary ln
Lhe same manner as Congress esLabllshes Lhe proLecLed area Lo proLecL Lhe same from
acLlvlLles LhaL wlll dlrecLly and lndlrecLly harm lL Such buffer zones shall be lncluded ln Lhe
lndlvldual proLecLed area managemenL plan LhaL shall be prepared for each proLecLed area
W 1he uLn8 shall exerclse lLs auLhorlLy over proLecLed areas as provlded ln Lhls AcL on such area
deslgnaLed as buffer zones

Sec 9 ManagemenL lans
W 1here shall be a general managemenL plannlng sLraLegy Lo serve as gulde ln formulaLlng
lndlvldual plans for each proLecLed area 1he managemenL plannlng sLraLegy shall aL Lhe
mlnlmum promoLe Lhe adopLlon and lmplemenLaLlon of lnnovaLlve managemenL Lechnlques
lncludlng lf necessary Lhe concepL of zonlng buffer zone managemenL for mulLlple use and
proLecLlon hablLaL conservaLlon and rehablllLaLlon dlverslLy managemenL communlLy
organlzlng socloeconomlc and sclenLlflc researches slLespeclflc pollcy developmenL pesL
managemenL and flre conLrol
W 1he managemenL plannlng sLraLegy shall also provlde guldellnes for Lhe proLecLlon of lndlgenous
culLural communlLles oLher Lenured mlgranL communlLles and slLes and for close coordlnaLlon
beLween and among local agencles of Lhe CovernmenL as well as Lhe prlvaLe secLor
W Lach componenL area of Lhe SysLem shall be planned and admlnlsLered Lo furLher proLecL and
enhance Lhe permanenL preservaLlon of lLs naLural condlLlons A managemenL manual shall be
formulaLed and developed whlch musL conLaln Lhe ff
W an lndlvldual managemenL plan prepared by Lhree (3) experLs wlLh
W baslc background lnformaLlon
W fleld lnvenLory of Lhe resources wlLhln Lhe area
W an assessmenL of asseLs and llmlLaLlons
W reglonal lnLerrelaLlonshlps
W parLlcular ob[ecLlves for managlng Lhe area
W approprlaLe dlvlslon of Lhe area lnLo managemenL zones
W revlew of Lhe boundarles of Lhe area and
W a deslgn of Lhe managemenL programs

Sec 10 AdmlnlsLraLlon and ManagemenL of Lhe SysLem
W 1he nlAS ls placed under Lhe conLrol and admlnlsLraLlon of Lhe uLn8
W A dlvlslon ln Lhe reglonal offlces of Lhe uLn8 Lo be called Lhe roLecLed Areas and Wlldllfe
ulvlslon ls creaLed ln reglons where proLecLed areas have been esLabllshed whlch shall be under
Lhe supervlslon of a reglonal 1echnlcal ulrecLor 1he Servlce shall manage proLecLed areas and
promoLe Lhe permanenL preservaLlon Lo Lhe greaLesL exLenL posslble of Lhelr naLural condlLlons
W 1o carry ouL Lhe mandaLe of Lhls AcL Lhe uLn8 SecreLary ls empowered Lo perform any and all
of Lhe ff acLs
W a) 1o conducL sLudles on varlous characLerlsLlc feaLures and condlLlons of Lhe dlfferenL
proLecLed areas uslng commonallLles ln Lhelr characLerlsLlcs classlfy and deflne Lhem lnLo
caLegorles and prescrlbe permlsslble or prohlblLed human acLlvlLles ln each caLegory ln Lhe
SysLem
W b) 1o adopL and enforce a landuse scheme and zonlng plan ln ad[olnlng areas for Lhe
preservaLlon and conLrol of acLlvlLles LhaL may LhreaLen Lhe ecologlcal balance ln Lhe proLecLed
areas
W c) 1o cause Lhe preparaLlon of and exerclse Lhe power Lo revlew all plans and proposals for Lhe
managemenL of proLecLed areas
W d) 1o promulgaLe rules and regulaLlons necessary Lo carry ouL Lhe provlslons of Lhls AcL
W e) 1o depuLlze fleld offlcers and delegaLe any of hls powers under Lhls AcL and oLher laws Lo
expedlLe lLs lmplemenLaLlon and enforcemenL
W f) 1o flx and prescrlbe reasonable nlAS fees Lo be collecLed from governmenL agencles or any
person flrm or corporaLlon derlvlng beneflLs from Lhe proLecLed areas
W g) 1o exacL admlnlsLraLlve fees and flnes as auLhorlzed ln SecLlon 21 for vlolaLlons of guldellnes
rules and regulaLlons of Lhe AcL as would endanger Lhe vlablllLy of proLecLed areas
W h) 1o enLer lnLo conLracLs and/or agreemenLs wlLh prlvaLe enLlLles or publlc agencles as may be
necessary Lo carry ouL Lhe purpose of Lhls AcL
W l) 1o accepL ln Lhe name of Lhe hlllpplne CovernmenL and ln behalf of nlAS funds glfLs or
bequesLs of money for lmmedlaLe dlsbursemenLs or oLher properLy ln Lhe lnLeresL of Lhe nlAS
lLs acLlvlLles or lLs servlces
W [) 1o call on any agency or lnsLrumenLallLy of Lhe CovernmenL as well as academlc lnsLlLuLlons
nongovernmenL organlzaLlons and Lhe prlvaLe secLor as may be necessary Lo accompllsh
ob[ecLlves and acLlvlLles of Lhe SysLem
W k) 1o submlL an annual reporL Lo Lhe resldenL of Lhe hlllpplnes and Lo Congress on Lhe sLaLus
of proLecLed areas ln Lhe counLry
W l) 1o esLabllsh a unlform marker for Lhe SysLem lncludlng an approprlaLe and dlsLlncLlve symbol
for each caLegory ln Lhe SysLem ln consulLaLlon wlLh approprlaLe governmenL agencles and
publlc and prlvaLe organlzaLlons
W m) 1o deLermlne Lhe speclflcaLlon of Lhe class Lype and sLyle of bulldlngs and oLher sLrucLures
Lo be consLrucLed ln proLecLed areas and Lhe maLerlals Lo be used
W n) ConLrol Lhe consLrucLlon operaLlon and malnLenance of roads Lralls waLerworks sewerage
flre proLecLlon and sanlLaLlon sysLems and oLher publlc uLlllLles wlLhln Lhe proLecLed area
W o) ConLrol occupancy of sulLable porLlons of Lhe proLecLed area and reseLLle ouLslde of sald area
foresL occupanLs Lhereln wlLh Lhe excepLlon of Lhe members of Lhe lndlgenous communlLles
area and
W p) 1o perform such oLher funcLlons as may be dlrecLed by Lhe resldenL of Lhe hlllpplnes and
Lo do such acLs as may be necessary or lncldenLal Lo Lhe accompllshmenL of Lhe purpose and
ob[ecLlves of Lhe SysLem

Sec 11 roLecLed Area ManagemenL 8oard
W A roLecLed Area ManagemenL 8oard for each of Lhe esLabllshed proLecLed area ls creaLed and
composed of Lhe ff
W Lhe 8Lu under whose [urlsdlcLlon Lhe proLecLed area ls locaLed
W one rep from Lhe auLonomous reglonal governmenL lf appllcable
W Lhe rovlnclal uevelopmenL Cfflcer
W one rep from Lhe munlclpal governmenL
W one rep from each barangay coverlng Lhe
W proLecLed area
W one rep from each Lrlbal communlLy lf
W appllcable and
W aL leasL 3 reps from nCCs/local communlLy
W organlzaLlons and
W lf necessary one rep from oLher deparLmenLs or naLlonal
W governmenL agencles lnvolved ln proLecLed area managemenL
W 1he 8oard shall by a ma[orlLy voLe declde Lhe allocaLlons for budgeL approve proposals for
fundlng declde maLLers relaLlng Lo plannlng perlpheral proLecLlon and general admlnlsLraLlon
of Lhe area ln accordance wlLh Lhe general managemenL sLraLegy
W 1he members of Lhe 8oard shall serve for a Lerm of flve (3) years wlLhouL compensaLlon 1hey
shall be appolnLed by Lhe uLn8 SecreLary as follows
W a) a member who shall be appolnLed Lo represenL each local governmenL down Lo barangay
level whose LerrlLory or porLlon ls lncluded ln Lhe proLecLed area Lach appolnLee shall be Lhe
person deslgnaLed Lhe head of such LCu excepL for Lhe rovlnclal uevelopmenL Cfflcer who
shall serve ex offlclo
W b) a member from nCC who shall be endorsed by heads of organlzaLlons whlch are preferably
based ln Lhe area or whlch have esLabllshed and recognlzed lnLeresL ln proLecLed areas
W c) 1he 8Lu/s ln Lhe reglon/s where such proLecLed area lles shall slL as ex offlclo member of Lhe
8oard and shall serve as advlser/s ln maLLers relaLed Lo Lhe Lechnlcal aspecL of managemenL of
Lhe area
W d) 1he 8Lu shall acL as Chalrman of Lhe 8oard When Lhere are Lwo (2) or more 8Lus ln Lhe
8oard Lhe SecreLary shall deslgnaLe one of Lhem Lo be Lhe Chalrman
W Iacancles shall be fllled ln Lhe same manner as Lhe orlglnal appolnLmenL

Sec 12 LnvlronmenLal lmpacL AssessmenL
W roposals for acLlvlLles whlch are ouLslde Lhe scope of Lhe managemenL plan for proLecLed areas
shall be sub[ecL Lo an envlronmenLal lmpacL assessmenL as requlred by law before Lhey are
adopLed and Lhe resulLs Lhereof shall be Laken lnLo conslderaLlon ln Lhe declslonmaklng
process no acLual lmplemenLaLlon of such acLlvlLles shall be allowed wlLhouL Lhe requlred LCC
under Lhe LlA sysLem
W ln lnsLances where such acLlvlLles are allowed Lo be underLaken Lhe proponenL shall plan and
carry Lhem ouL ln such manner as wlll mlnlmlze any adverse effecLs and Lake prevenLlon and
remedlal acLlon when approprlaLe 1he proponenL shall be llable for any damage due Lo lack of
cauLlon or lndlscreLlon

Sec 13 AncesLral Lands and 8lghLs over Lhem
W AncesLral lands and cusLomary rlghLs and lnLeresLs arlslng shall be accorded due recognlLlon
1he uLn8 shall prescrlbe rules and regulaLlons Lo govern ancesLral lands wlLhln proLecLed areas
W 1he uLn8 shall have nC power Lo evlcL lndlgenous communlLles from Lhelr presenL occupancy
nor reseLLle Lhem Lo anoLher area wlLhouL Lhelr consenL
W All rules and regulaLlons wheLher adversely affecLlng sald communlLles or noL shall be sub[ecLed
Lo noLlce and hearlng Lo be parLlclpaLed ln by members of concerned lndlgenous communlLy

Sec 14 Survey for Lnergy 8esources
W ConslsLenL wlLh Lhe pollcles declared proLecLed areas excepL S18lC1 nA1u8L 8LSL8IL and
nA1u8AL A8kS may be sub[ecLed Lo exploraLlon only for Lhe purpose of gaLherlng lnformaLlon
on energy resources and only lf such acLlvlLy ls carrled ouL wlLh Lhe leasL damage Lo surroundlng
areas Surveys shall be conducLed only ln accordance wlLh a program approved by Lhe uLn8
and Lhe resulL of such surveys shall be made avallable Lo Lhe publlc and submlLLed Lo Lhe
resldenL for recommendaLlon Lo Congress
W Any explolLaLlon and uLlllzaLlon of energy resources found wlLhln nlAS areas shall be allowed
only Lhrough a law passed by Congress

Sec 13 Areas under Lhe ManagemenL of oLher uLpLs
W Should Lhere be proLecLed areas or porLlons Lhereof under Lhe [urlsdlcLlon of governmenL
lnsLrumenLallLles oLher Lhan Lhe uLn8 such [urlsdlcLlon shall prlor Lo Lhe passage of Lhls AcL
remaln ln Lhe sald deparLmenL or governmenL lnsLrumenLallLy Such deparLmenL of
lnsLrumenLallLy exerclslng admlnlsLraLlve [urlsdlcLlon over sald proLecLed area or a porLlon
Lhereof shall coordlnaLe wlLh Lhe uLn8 ln Lhe preparaLlon of lLs managemenL plans upon Lhe
effecLlvlLy of Lhls AcL

Sec 16 lnLegraLed roLecLed Areas lund
W A LrusL fund Lo be known as lnLegraLed roLecLed Areas lund (lAS) ls esLabllshed for purposes o
flnanclng pro[ecLs of Lhe SysLem 1he lAS may sollclL and recelve donaLlons endowmenLs and
granLs ln Lhe form of conLrlbuLlons
W Such endowmenLs shall be exempLed from lncome or glfL Laxes and all oLher Laxes charges or
fees lmposed by Lhe CovernmenL or any pollLlcal subdlvlslon or lnsLrumenLallLy Lhereof
W All lncomes generaLed from Lhe operaLlon of Lhe SysLem or managemenL of wlld flora and fauna
shall accrue Lo Lhe lund and may be uLlllzed dlrecLly by Lhe uLn8 for Lhe above purpose 1hese
lncomes shall be derlved from
W a) 1axes from Lhe permlLLed sale and exporL of flora and fauna and oLher resources from
proLecLed areas
W b) roceeds from lease of mulLlpleuse areas
W c) ConLrlbuLlons from lndusLrles and faclllLles
W dlrecLly beneflLlng from Lhe proLecLed area
W d) Such oLher fees and lncomes derlved from Lhe
W operaLlon of Lhe proLecLed area
W ulsbursemenLs from Lhe lund shall be made solely for Lhe proLecLlon malnLenance
admlnlsLraLlon and managemenL of Lhe SysLem and duly approved pro[ecLs endorsed by Lhe
8oards ln Lhe amounLs auLhorlzed by uLn8
Sec 17 Annual 8eporL Lo Congress
W AL Lhe openlng of each sesslon of Congress Lhe uLn8 shall reporL Lo Lhe resldenL for
Lransmlsslon Lo Congress on Lhe sLaLus of Lhe SysLem regulaLlon ln force and oLher perLlnenL
lnformaLlon LogeLher wlLh recommendaLlons

Sec 18 lleld Cfflcers
W All offlclals Lechnlcal personnel and foresL guards employed ln Lhe lnLegraLed proLecLed area
servlce or all persons depuLlzed by Lhe uLn8 upon recommendaLlon of Lhe ManagemenL 8oard
shall be consldered as llLLu ClllCL8S and shall have Lhe Au1PC8l1? Lo lnILS1lCA1L and
SLA8CP premlses and bulldlngs and MAkL A88LS1S ln accordance wlLh Lhe rules on crlmlnal
procedure for Lhe vlolaLlon of laws and regulaLlons relaLlng Lo proLecLed areas ersons arresLed
shall be broughL Lo Lhe nearesL pollce preclncL for lnvesLlgaLlon
W 1hls auLhorlLy noLwlLhsLandlng shall noL prevenL regular law enforcers and pollce offlcers from
arresLlng any person ln Lhe acL of vlolaLlng sald laws and regulaLlons

Sec 19 Speclal rosecuLors
W 1he ueparLmenL of !usLlce shall deslgnaLe speclal prosecuLors Lo prosecuLe vlolaLlons of laws
rules and regulaLlons ln proLecLed areas

Sec 20 rohlblLed AcLs
W LxcepL as may be allowed by Lhe naLure of Lhelr caLegorles and pursuanL Lo rules and
regulaLlons governlng Lhe same Lhe ff acLs are 8CPl8l1Lu wlLhln proLecLed areas
W a) PunLlng desLroylng dlsLurblng or mere possesslon of any planLs or anlmals or producLs
derlved Lherefrom wlLhouL a permlL from Lhe ManagemenL 8oard
W b) uumplng of any wasLe producLs deLrlmenLal Lo Lhe proLecLed area or Lo Lhe planLs and
anlmals or lnhablLanLs Lhereln
W c) use of any moLorlzed equlpmenL wlLhouL a permlL from Lhe ManagemenL 8oard
W d) MuLllaLlng defaclng or desLroylng ob[ecLs of naLural beauLy or ob[ecLs of lnLeresL Lo culLural
communlLles (of scenlc value)
W e) uamaglng and leavlng roads and Lralls ln a damaged condlLlon
W f) squaLLlng mlneral locaLlng or oLherwlse occupylng any land
W g) ConsLrucLlng or malnLalnlng any klnd of sLrucLure fence or enclosures conducLlng any
buslness enLerprlse wlLhouL a permlL
W h) Leavlng ln exposed or unsanlLary condlLlons refuse or debrls or deposlLlng ln ground or ln
bodles of waLer and
W l) AlLerlng removlng or desLroylng or defaclng boundary marks or slgns

Sec 21 enalLles
W llnL ln Lhe amounL of noL less Lhan 3000 nor more Lhan 300000 excluslve of Lhe value of
Lhe Lhlng damaged C8
W lM8lSCnMLn1 for noL less Lhan one (1) year buL noL more Lhan sln (6) years C8 boLh as
deLermlned by Lhe courL for
W vlolaLlon of Lhe AcL or any rules and
W regulaLlons lssued by Lhe uLn8 pursuanL
W LhereLo C8
W found gullLy by a compeLenL courL of [usLlce of
W any of Lhe offenses (8CPl8l1Lu AC1S ln Sec 20)
W lf Lhe area requlres rehablllLaLlon or resLoraLlon as deLermlned by Lhe courL Lhe offender shall
also be requlred Lo resLore or compensaLe for Lhe resLoraLlon of Lhe damage
W 1he courL shall order Lhe evlcLlon of Lhe offender from Lhe land and Lhe forfelLure ln favor of
Lhe CovernmenL of all mlnerals Llmber or any specles collecLed or removed lncludlng all
equlpmenL devlces and flrearms used ln connecLlon LherewlLh and any consLrucLlon or
lmprovemenL made Lhereon by Lhe offender
W lf Lhe offender ls an assoclaLlon or corporaLlon Lhe presldenL or manager shall be dlrecLly
responslble for Lhe acL of hls employees and laborers
W 1he uLn8 may lmpose admlnlsLraLlve flnes and penalLles conslsLenL wlLh Lhls AcL

eople's Small Scale Mlnlng AcL of 1991
8A 7076
Sec 2 ueclaraLlon of ollcy
W ollcy of Lhe SLaLe Lo promoLe develop proLecL and raLlonallze vlable smallscale mlnlng
acLlvlLles ln order Lo generaLe more employmenL opporLunlLles and provlde an equlLable sharlng
of Lhe naLlon's wealLh and naLural resources glvlng due regard Lo exlsLlng rlghLs
W 1he mlnlng lndusLry has always been denomlnaLed by largescale mlnlng operaLlons govern by
Lhe Mlnlng AcL of 1993
ueflnlLlons
W a) Mlnerallzed areas refer Lo areas wlLh naLurally occurrlng mlneral deposlLs of gold sllver
chromlLe kaolln slllca marble gravel clay and llke mlneral resources
W b) Smallscale mlnlng refers Lo mlnlng acLlvlLles whlch rely heavlly on manual labor uslng
slmple lmplemenLs and meLhods and do noL use exploslves or heavy mlnlng equlpmenL
W c) Smallscale mlners refers Lo llllplno clLlzens who lndlvldually or ln Lhe company of oLher
llllplno clLlzens volunLarlly form a cooperaLlve duly llcensed by Lhe uLn8 Lo engage under Lhe
Lerms and condlLlons of a conLracL ln Lhe exLracLlon or removal of mlnerals or orebearlng
maLerlals from Lhe ground
W d) Smallscale mlnlng conLracL refers Lo coproducLlon [olnL venLure or mlneral producLlon
sharlng agreemenL beLween Lhe SLaLe and a smallscale mlnlng conLracLor for Lhe smallscale
uLlllzaLlon of a ploL of mlneral land
W e) Smallscale mlnlng conLracLor an lndlvldual or a cooperaLlve of smallscale mlners
reglsLered wlLh Lhe SLC or oLher approprlaLe governmenL agency whlch has enLered lnLo an
agreemenL wlLh Lhe SLaLe for Lhe smallscale uLlllzaLlon of a ploL of mlneral land wlLhln a
people's smallscale mlnlng area
W f) AcLlve mlnlng area refers Lo areas under acLual exploraLlon developmenL explolLaLlon or
commerclal producLlon as deLermlned by Lhe uLn8 SecreLary afLer Lhe necessary fleld
lnvesLlgaLlon or verlflcaLlon lncludlng conLlguous and geologlocally relaLed areas belonglng Lo
Lhe same clalmowner and/or under conLracL wlLh an operaLor buL ln no case Lo exceed Lhe
maxlmum area allowed by law ( 20 hecLares)
W g) LxlsLlng mlnlng rlghL refers Lo perfecLed and subslsLlng clalm lease llcnese or permlL
coverlng a mlnerallzed area prlor Lo lLs declaraLlon as people's smallscale mlnlng area
W h) Clalmowner refers Lo a holder of an exlsLlng mlnlng rlghL
W l) Llcense refers Lo Lhe prlvllege granLed Lo a person Lo leglLlmaLely pursues hls occupaLlon as
a smallscale mlner or processor under Lhls AcL
W !) rocessor refers Lo a person lssued a llcense Lo engage ln Lhe LreaLmenL of mlnerals or ore
bearlng maLerlals such as by gravlLy concenLraLlon leachlng beneflcaLlon cyanldaLlon cuLLlng
slzlng pollshlng and oLher slmllar acLlvlLles
W k) Mlnlng plan refers Lo a Lwoyear program of acLlvlLles and meLhodologles employed ln Lhe
exLracLlon and producLlon of mlnerals or orebearlng maLerlals lncludlng Lhe flnanclal plan and
oLher resources ln supporL Lhereof
Sec 4 eople's smallscale mlnlng program
W lor Lhe purpose of carrylng ouL Lhe declared pollcy Lhere ls esLabllshed a eople's smallscale
Mlnlng rogram Lo be lmplemenLed by Lhe uLn8 ln coordlnaLlon wlLh Lhe LCu deslgned Lo have
an orderly sysLemaLlc and raLlonal scheme for Lhe smallscale developmenL and uLlllzaLlon of
mlneral resources ln cerLaln mlneral areas
W Lo address Lhe soclal economlc Lechnlcal and envlronmenLal problems connecLed wlLh
smallscale mlnlng acLlvlLles
leaLures of Lhe program
W 1 ldenLlflcaLlon segregaLlon and reservaLlon of mlneral lands as people's smallscale mlnlng
areas
W 2 recognlLlon of prlor exlsLlng rlghLs and producLlvlLy
W 3 encouragemenL of formaLlon of cooperaLlves
W 4 exLenslon of Lechnlcal and flnanclal asslsLance and oLher soclal servlces
W 3 exLenslon of asslsLance ln processlng and markeLlng
W 6 generaLlon of anclllary llvellhood acLlvlLles
W 7 regulaLlon of Lhe smallscale mlnlng lndusLry Lo encourage growLh and producLlvlLy
W 8 efflclenL collecLlon of governmenL revenue
W ln Lhe pasL smallscale mlnlng was consldered an underground economy
Sec 3 ueclaraLlon of eople's small scale mlnlng areas
W 1he 8CA8u ls auLhorlzed Lo declare and seL aslde pssm areas ln slLes onshore sulLable for small
scale mlnlng
W sub[ecL Lo revlew by Lhe uLn8 SecreLary glvlng prlorlLy Lo areas already occupled and acLlvely
mlned by smallscale mlners before AugusL 1 1987 provlded
W such areas are noL consldered as acLlve mlnlng areas
W Lhe mlnerals found Lhereln are Lechnlcally and commerclally sulLable for smallscale mlnlng
acLlvlLles
W LhaL Lhe areas are noL covered by exlsLlng foresL rlghLs or reservaLlons and have noL been
declared as LourlsL or marlne reserved parks and wlldllfe reservaLlons unless Lhelr sLaLus as
such ls wlLhdrawn by compeLenL auLhorlLy
W Area verlflcaLlon resLs wlLh Lhe uLn8
Sec 6 luLure Smallscale mlnlng areas
W 1he 8oard may declare Lhe ff as pssma
W a) ubllc lands noL sub[ecL Lo exlsLlng rlghLs
W b) ubllc lands covered by exlsLlng mlnlng rlghLs whlch are noL acLlve mlnlng areas
W c) rlvaLe lands
W LxcepL
W Lhose wlLh subsLanLlal lmprovemenLs
W ln bona flde or regular use as sLockyard garden planL nursery planLaLlon cemeLery or burlal
slLe or land slLuaLed wlLhln 100m from such cemeLery or burlal slLe
W land wlLh area of one hecLare or less
ComposlLlon of 8oard
W uLn8 rep Chalr
W 8ep of Covernor/ClLy mayor
W 1 blg scale mlnlng rep
W 8ep of nCC from envlronmenLal group
W 8ep of prlvaLe secLor nomlnaLed by Lhe
W organlzaLlon and appolnLed by Lhe Mlnes
W 8eglonal ulrecLor
W
W 1he uLn8 provldes sLaff supporL
W
Sec 7 AncesLral land
W no ancesLral land may be declared as a pssma wlLhouL Lhe 8lC8 CCnSLn1 of Lhe culLural
communlLles
W lf ancesLral lands are declared as pssma Lhe members of Lhe culLural communlLles Lhereln shall
be glven prlorlLy ln Lhe awardlng of smallscale mlnlng conLracLs
Sec 8 8eglsLraLlon of Smallscale mlners
W All persons underLaklng smallscale mlnlng acLlvlLles shall reglsLer as mlners wlLh Lhe 8oard and
may organlze Lhemselves lnLo cooperaLlves ln order Lo quallfy for Lhe awardlng of a people's
small scale mlnlng conLracL
Sec 9 Award of SSM ConLracL
W A conLracL may be awarded by Lhe 8oard Lo smallscale mlners who have volunLarlly organlzed
and have duly reglsLered wlLh Lhe approprlaLe governmenL agency as an lndlvldual mlner or
cooperaLlve (reglsLraLlon ls requlred) provlded
W 1 conLracL aL any one Llme Lo a conLracLor who shall sLarL mlnlng operaLlons wlLhln one year
from Lhe daLe of award
W rlorlLy shall be glven Lo ss mlners resldlng ln Lhe provlnce or clLy where Lhe small scale mlnlng
area ls locaLed
W AppllcaLlon fees for a conLracL shall be payable Lo uLn8 reglonal offlce havlng [urlsdlcLlon over
Lhe area
Sec 10 LxLenL of conLracL area
W 1he 8oard shall deLermlne Lhe reasonable slze and shape of Lhe conLracL area followlng Lhe
merldlonal block sysLem under u463 (Mlneral 8esources uevelopmenL uecree) buL ln no case
exceed 20 hecLares per conLracLor and Lhe depLh or lengLh of Lhe Lunnel or adlL noL exceedlng
LhaL recommended by Lhe ulrecLor (MC8) Laklng lnLo accounL relevanL facLors

Sec 11 LasemenL rlghLs
W upon Lhe declaraLlon of a pssma Lhe ulrecLor of Mlnes ln consulLaLlon wlLh Lhe operaLor
clalmowner landowner or lessor of an affecLed area shall deLermlne Lhe rlghL of Lhe ssmlners
Lo exlsLlng faclllLles such as mlnlng and logglng roads prlvaLe roads porL and communlcaLlon
faclllLles processlng planLs whlch are necessary for Lhe effecLlve of Lhe rogram sub[ecL Lo
paymenL of reasonable fees Lo Lhe operaLor clalmowner landowner or lessor