Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park protection law

Bioprospecting: Research and utilization of biological/genetic resources for scientific or commercial purposes.
Commercial: Market sale exceeding basic subsistence needs.
Exotic Species: Species not native to the MKNP biogeographic region.
ICCs/IPs: Indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples specifically Atis and Bukidnons in MKNP.
Natural Park: A large area preserved for its natural and scenic values without extractive resource use.
Non-Renewable Resources: Resources within MKNP without known natural replenishment rate.
PAMB: Protected Area Management Board governing MKNP.
PASu: Protected Area Superintendent, chief operating officer of MKNP.
Tenured Migrant: Person continuously occupying land within MKNP for at least 5 years before its designation and dependent on it for subsistence.

Mt. Kanla-on declared a Natural Park under NIPAS Act.
The law provides an extensive and specific geographical boundary description covering parts of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Total area of approximately 24,388 hectares.

A 169-hectare buffer zone is established primarily for geothermal energy exploration and other activities.
Geothermal projects require legislative approval and adherence to environmental and forestry laws.
Areas not directly used for geothermal purposes remain under PAMB jurisdiction.
Geothermal project proponents must contribute to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF).
PAMB participates in monitoring geothermal operations per environmental laws.

MKNP management vested in PAMB, ensuring consultative, participatory management.
Local governments participate through representation; environmental ordinances must align with MKNP goals and plans.
Management Plan:
- Long-term framework (30 years with 5-year reviews) guiding all activities within MKNP.
- Includes zoning, enforcement, habitat management, livelihood regulation, and protection of ICCs/IPs and tenured migrants.
- PASu responsible for preparing the plan.
- Plan must be certified by DENR and made publicly accessible in multiple languages.

Zoning prioritizes conservation, protection of habitats, and tenurial considerations.
Zones demarcated with community and stakeholder participation using GIS and modern tech.

PAMB:
- Policy-making body composed of DENR, governors, mayors, barangay captains, NGOs, POs, ICC/IP representatives, and PNOC EDC representative.
- Executive Committee (Execom) manages delegated powers.
- Terms for non-government members are generally 5 years or coterminous with projects.
- Meetings held regularly with reimbursement of expenses from MKNP budget.

ICCs/IPs' rights to ancestral lands recognized, respecting customary laws and existing property rights.
Rights construed liberally in favor of ICCs/IPs and consistent with conservation.
Tenured migrants continuously occupying MKNP before June 1, 1987, and dependent on it qualify for limited tenurial instruments up to 3 hectares within multiple-use zones.
Transfer of tenurial rights restricted to direct descendants.
Violations or abandonment may lead to revocation with area rehabilitation.
Non-qualifying occupants to be relocated with priority in government programs.

Hunting, collecting, possessing protected flora/fauna without permits; illegal logging; introduction of exotic harmful species; kaingin (slash-and-burn) practices are prohibited.
Violations of Management Plan, vandalism, pollution, unauthorized motorized equipment use, illegal building, trespassing, bioprospecting without PAMB permit, and treasure hunting also prohibited.
Penalties include fines P5,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment 6 months to 12 years based on offense.
More severe penalties (12 to 20 years imprisonment, P500,000 to P1,000,000 fines) apply if protected species are involved.
Offender equipment and caught resources forfeit, and offenders may be deported if foreign nationals.
PASu and deputies granted authority to arrest without warrant and confiscate; DENR may impose administrative fines.
Public officials who neglect duty to prosecute violators face fines, imprisonment, and perpetual disqualification.

DOJ to designate a special prosecutor for MKNP violation cases within 30 days.
Special prosecutor to coordinate with PAMB and PASu and assist in training enforcement personnel.

Trust fund for financing MKNP projects.
Funded by fees from resource use, leases, contributions from benefiting industries, and donations.
Managed by PAMB, deposited in the national treasury.
Utilized solely for MKNP protection, maintenance, and approved projects.
25% allocated for national NIPAS support; 25% allocated to LGUs in MKNP.
Local government revenue streams excluded from IPAF.

Commercial facilities with capitalization over P100,000 must submit detailed operational info to PAMB.
PAMB with DENR assess environmental impact, may impose operational conditions.
Violations subject to fines up to P500,000; facilities may be ordered demolished at owners’ cost.
Facilities reliant on MKNP resources may be charged fees, revenues to IPAF.

Subsistence use of MKNP resources by ICCs/IPs and tenured migrants allowed except for protected species or ecosystem threat.
Livelihood activities only allowed if sustainable and PAMB-approved.
Only non-timber products for livelihood use.
Commercial exploitation of resources prohibited unless PAMB-approved and compliant with environmental laws.
Commercial water resource use requires PAMB approval and EIS compliance.

DENR Secretary to include MKNP implementation in the department program funded by IPAF and General Appropriations Act.
Act to be liberally interpreted in favor of ICCs/IPs and tenured migrants.
NIPAS Act serves as supplementary law.
Any unconstitutional provision does not affect the rest of the Act.
Incumbent PAMB continues until new PAMB is convened within 3 months.
Implementing rules and regulations to be prepared within 3 months by DENR in coordination with stakeholders.
All inconsistent laws repealed or modified.
Act to be translated and published in multiple languages, effective 15 days after last publication and posting.