Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9847)
Republic Act No. 9847 is officially titled as "Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL) Act of 2009."
The State policy is to ensure the protection and conservation of these mountains, their forest, biodiversity, cultural and religious significance, and to support the institutional mechanisms and scientific and technical support for their conservation.
The MBSCPL covers parts of the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, including the municipalities of Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Lucban, Tayabas, Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay, and the City of San Pablo, with a total land area of 10,900.59 hectares.
All lands comprising the MBSCPL are classified as National Parks under the Philippine Constitution.
Buffer zones are identified areas outside and immediately adjacent to the protected area that require special development control to avoid or minimize harm to the MBSCPL.
The PAMB consists of the DENR Regional Executive Director as chairperson; provincial planning and environment officers of Laguna and Quezon; municipal mayors or their representatives from covered municipalities and cities; ABC presidents; representatives from national government agencies; representatives from accredited NGOs; academic institutions; and religious groups linked to the MBSCPL.
The PAMB can issue rules and regulations to protect the MBSCPL, approve management plans, set and collect fees, recommend deputization for law enforcement, manage funds, and recommend policy changes to DENR and other authorities.
The PASu is the chief operating officer for the MBSCPL who manages, protects, and administers the area, prepares management plans, enforces laws, provides secretariat support for the PAMB, monitors activities, and recommends permit issuances.
Prohibited acts include taking or destroying flora and fauna without permits, mining, quarrying, hunting except for research, introducing exotic species, illegal logging, and waste dumping. Penalties range from fines of P5,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment of up to six years, plus administrative sanctions like confiscation of implements.
The MBSCPL Fund is a revolving fund for financing projects related to protection and management of the area. Income sources include visitor fees, sale and export permits of resources, leases, royalties from facilities, and contributions from industries and facilities benefiting the area.