Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 442)
Proclamation No. 442 declares the Samar Island Forest Reserve, established under Presidential Proclamation No. 744, as a Protected Area under the category of Natural Park, known as the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), including its peripheral areas as buffer zone.
The Samar Island Natural Park is declared as a protected area pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586, also known as the NIPAS Act of 1992.
The State policy is to secure for the Filipino people, both present and future generations, the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through establishing an integrated system of protected areas classified as national parks, as provided by the Constitution.
The rapacious exploitation and massive extraction of natural resources within the forests of Samar Island, which led to extensive damages due to soil erosion and flooding.
The aggregate area of the Samar Island Natural Park is approximately 333,300 hectares, more or less.
The buffer zone covers an area of approximately 125,400 hectares, more or less.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), has administrative jurisdiction over the SINP and its buffer zone.
An interim PAMB shall form sub-PAMBs for each of the three provinces within SINP, each chaired by the DENR and co-chaired by the respective Provincial Governor to accommodate local government roles.
Yes. Any valid contract, permit, or license existing prior to this proclamation shall be respected, subject to national interest and existing laws, rules, and regulations.
All existing NIPAS protected areas within the areas mentioned are absorbed by and become part and parcel of the Samar Island Natural Park.