QuestionsQuestions (PROCLAMATION NO. 1607)
It establishes the designated land as a Watershed Forest Reserve, withdraws it from entry, sale, disposition or settlement (subject to prior private rights, if any), and imposes restrictions to protect, maintain, or improve its water yield and prevent inappropriate forest exploitation and disruptive land use practices.
To protect, maintain, or improve its water yield and provide restraining mechanisms against inappropriate forest exploitation and disruptive land use practices; water production and conservation is the primary objective.
The land is withdrawn from entry, sale, disposition, or settlement, subject only to prior private rights, if any.
Certain portions of land situated in Barangays Mangan Vaca and Aningway-Sacatihan, Municipality of Subic, Province of Zambales.
An area of three hundred hectares (300.0 has), more or less.
It states that the technical description correspondingly modifies Proclamation No. 245 dated January 18, 1956, which established the Southern Zambales Forest Reserve.
DENR is designated as the agency to administer and manage the Watershed Forest Reserve.
DENR coordinates with the Local Government of Subic, the Subic Water District, and other stakeholders.
All other uses of the forest shall be subordinated to the purpose of water production and conservation, which is of primary importance.
It serves as the policy-making body for managing the watershed, with membership that may be expanded to include representatives of major stakeholders.
DENR (central agency) administers the reserve in coordination with local government (Subic LGU), the Subic Water District, and other stakeholders, while policy is guided through an Organized Watershed Management Council.
It indicates that existing legally recognized private rights predating the proclamation are not automatically extinguished; however, the reserve status still controls future dispositions and uses subject to law and the validity/existence of such prior rights.
It identifies precisely what land is included in the reserve for legal certainty and enforceability, linking the declaration to a specific area and boundaries on the ground.