Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park Protection Act

Provides clear definitions for key terms including bioprospecting, commercial activities, DENR, exotic species, ICCs/IPs, natural park, NGO, non-renewable resources, PAMB, PASu, PO, protected species, and tenured migrants.
Defines scope of terms in relation to management and conservation of MKNP.

Officially declares Mt. Kanla-on as a protected natural park under the NIPAS Act.
Defines territorial boundaries covering specific cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental provinces.
Details precise land area coverage of approximately 24,388 hectares.

Creates a buffer zone for geothermal energy and other exploration activities (169 hectares).
Prohibits exploration or exploitation of geothermal energy within MKNP except by an act of Congress.
Mandates permits for geothermal activities in compliance with environmental regulations.
Requires contributions to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) from geothermal project proponents.
PAMB participation in environmental monitoring of geothermal projects.

Vests management authority in the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
Requires local government units (LGUs) to participate in management through PAMB representation.
LGUs must align local environmental ordinances and funding with MKNP objectives and management plan.

Mandates preparation of a long-term Management Plan with 30-year applicability and 5-year periodic reviews.
Plan to include zoning, management programs, protection mechanisms for ICCs/IPs and migrants, regulations, and sustainable livelihood activities.
Requires stakeholder involvement and multilingual availability.
Plan must be reviewed and certified by DENR Secretary and cannot be arbitrarily modified.

PAMB as the policy-making body composed of DENR officials, governors, mayors, barangay captains, NGO and PO representatives, ICC/IP representatives, and PNOC EDC.
Allows formation of an Executive Committee for delegated functions.
Sets terms of service, vacancy filling, and meeting requirements.

Authority to issue rules, permits, evaluate projects, adopt procedures, oversee PASu Office, deputize enforcers, manage funds, coordinate government agencies, and retain legal counsel.
DENR oversight to ensure lawful PAMB operation.

PASu heads the administrative and operational functions of MKNP.
Duties include management plan preparation, secretariat support, staff supervision, community partnerships, public education, law enforcement, monitoring, and other PAMB-assigned tasks.

Recognizes indigenous peoples' rights to ancestral lands within MKNP subject to existing property rights.
Customary laws govern resource use within ancestral domains.
Ensures Act's provisions favor indigenous peoples without diminishing existing rights.

Defines tenured migrants as those occupying MKNP since June 1, 1987, dependent on it for subsistence.
Grants tenurial instruments up to 3 hectares in multiple-use zones.
Prohibits transfer or use of tenurial rights as collateral, except to direct descendants.
Establishes conditions for rights revocation and area rehabilitation.
Provides relocation to multiple-use zones or public lands for non-qualifying occupants.

Enumerates prohibited activities including hunting, possession, logging, introduction of exotic species, kaingin, vandalism, pollution, unauthorized structures and entry, bioprospecting without permit, and treasure hunting.
Imposes fines ranging from P5,000 to P1,000,000 and imprisonment from 6 months up to 20 years depending on severity and species involved.
Provides for eviction, damage reparations, forfeiture of tools and resources, and deportation for foreign offenders.
Permits PASu or deputies to arrest without warrant and seize illegal items.
Penalizes public officers neglecting enforcement with fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from public office.

Department of Justice to appoint a special prosecutor to handle MKNP-related violations.
Special prosecutor to coordinate with PAMB and PASu and assist training.

Establishes IPAF as a trust fund for financing MKNP projects.
Income sources include fees from permits, leases, contributions, and donations.
Fund managed by PAMB and deposited in the national treasury.
Funds used exclusively for protection, administration, and management, excluding operating expenses of government agencies.
Allocates 25% of IPAF for national system support and 25% for local governments.

Requires all commercial facilities with capitalization over P100,000 within MKNP to submit detailed operational and environmental impact reports.
PAMB, with DENR, evaluates impact and may impose operational conditions.
Non-compliance subject to fines and possible cessation and demolition.
Facilities reliant on MKNP resources may pay fees benefiting IPAF.

Permits tenured migrants and ICCs/IPs to use resources for domestic and subsistence needs.
Allows livelihood activities using non-timber products with prior PAMB approval under the Management Plan.
Prohibits commercial exploitation of non-renewable resources by others without approval.
Commercial water resource use requires approval and compliance with Environmental Impact Statement System.

Funding for Act implementation charged against IPAF and annual General Appropriations Act.
NIPAS Act serves as supplementary law.

Act to be construed liberally favoring tenured migrants and indigenous peoples.
Includes separability clause to preserve valid provisions if parts are invalidated.
Provides for transitional arrangements for PAMB and PASu staff continuity.
Requires preparation of implementing rules and regulations within three months.
Repeals inconsistent laws and regulations.

Act to be translated into English, Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilonggo.
Requires publication in widely circulating newspapers and posting in public offices and frequented areas.
Becomes effective 15 days after last posting and publication.