Republic Act No. 7568 Also Known As The "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of

Republic Act No.
7568 also known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of
1992” or the NIPAS Law was approved by President Corazon Aquino on June 1, 1992.
The passing of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law laid the framework
which enables us to designate and protect terrestrial, wetlands or marine sectors which comprise
of outstandingly remarkable areas such as biologically important public lands, ancestral domains
that are habitats of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, bio-geographic zones and
related ecosystems.
The NIPAS Law was passed in recognition of the profound impact of man's activities on all
components of the natural environment particularly the effect of our country’s increasing
population, resource exploitation and industrial advancement, as well as in recognizing the
critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural biological diversities of the
environment notably on areas with biologically unique features.
Consistent with state policies, NIPAS aims to secure for the Filipino people of present and future
generations the perpetual existence of all native plants, animals and other organisms, through the
establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification
of national park as provided for in the Constitution.
In June 22, 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved Republic Act No. 11038, also known as
the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018, or E-NIPAS which amended and expanded the Republic Act
No. 7568.
Definition of Terms:
A "protected area" refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by reason of their
unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and
protected against destructive human exploitation,
Categories of Protected Areas according to RA 7568:
a. Strict nature reserves; are areas possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features
and/or species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance maintained to protect
nature and maintain processes in an undisturbed state in order to have ecologically
representative examples of the natural environment available for scientific study,
environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a
dynamic and evolutionary state.
b. Natural parks; refer to forest reservations essentially of natural wilderness character

which have been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation
except in conformity with an approved management plan and set aside as such
exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects,
wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas.
c. Natural monuments; are relatively small areas focused on protection of small features
to protect or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special
interest or unique characteristics.
d. Wildlife sanctuaries; comprises area which assure the natural conditions necessary to
protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or physical
features of the environment where these may require specific human manipulations for
their perpetuation.
e. Protected landscapes and seascapes; are areas of national significance which are
characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing
opportunities for public enjoyment through the recreation and tourism within the normal
lifestyle and economic activity of these areas.
f. Resource reserve; are extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited areas normally
with difficult access designated as such to protect natural resources of the area for future
use and prevent or contain development activities that could affect the resource pending
the establishment of objectives which are based upon appropriate knowledge and
planning.
g. Natural biotic areas; are areas set aside to allow the way of life of societies living in
harmony with the environment to adapt to modern technology at their pace.
Examples of protected areas in the Philippines:
1. Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape

2. Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park
3. Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape
4. Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve
5. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
6. Mt. Kitanglad Natural park
7. Mt. Apo Natural Park
8. Mimbilisan Protected Landscape
Why are protected areas important?
The importance of protected areas mainly rely on the fact that they are supposedly designated in
order to provide for spaces that maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems,
preserve genetic diversity of species, ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and
maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its regional offices, is
charged with determining possible areas which may qualify for the requirements in order to be
granted the status of a protected area. Local government units, civil society organizations, and
the general public may participate in this process through consultative mechanisms that enable
dialogue. The result of these consultations will then be forwarded to the President in order for
him to propose to Congress that specific areas be granted with this status.
When a particular protected area is determined and granted such status, a Protected Area
Management Board will be created for its administration, and will be directly headed by the
Regional Executive Director of the DENR Regional Office where the concerned protected area is
located.
The NIPAS Act of 1992 enumerates the following prohibited acts along with the penalties
that may be granted:
1. Hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or animals or

products derived therefrom without a permit from the Management Board;
2. Dumping of any waste products detrimental to the protected area, or to the plants and
animals or inhabitants therein;
3. Use of any motorized equipment without a permit from the Management Board;
4. Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of interest to

cultural communities (of scenic value);
5. Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition;
6. Squatting, mineral locating, or otherwise occupying any land;
7. Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, conducting any

business enterprise without a permit;
8. Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing in ground

or in bodies of water; and
9. Altering, removing destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs.
Persons or entities who commit any of the acts mentioned above shall be subjected to pay fines
ranging from five thousand pesos (P5,000) to five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) exclusive
of the value of the thing damaged, face imprisonment for not less than one (1) year but not more
than six (6) years, or BOTH, as may be determined by a competent court.
If the concerned protected area requires rehabilitation or restoration as determined by the court,
the offender shall be required to restore or compensate for the restoration to the damage. Eviction
may be forced by the government to any person or entity identified to have operations in the
area.
Presidents or managers of entities will be held directly responsible by the government for any
acts enumerated above committed by their employees or laborers within protected areas.
FAST FACT:
Aside from those previously listed or identified as protected areas, the E-NIPAS Act of 2018 lists
down 94 more areas which comprise of parcels of land and bodies water across the country to be
designated as protected areas.

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Republic Act No.

Categories of Protected Areas according to RA 7568:

b. Natural parks; refer to forest reservations essentially of natural wilderness character

Examples of protected areas in the Philippines:

1. Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape

Why are protected areas important?

1. Hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or animals or

4. Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of interest to

5. Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damaged condition;

6. Squatting, mineral locating, or otherwise occupying any land;

7. Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, conducting any

8. Leaving in exposed or unsanitary conditions refuse or debris, or depositing in ground

9. Altering, removing destroying or defacing boundary marks or signs.

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