By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill declaring the Northwest Panay Peninsula as a protected area.
House Bill 4125, or the “Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPNP) Act,” aims to conserve and protect the biological and physical diversities of Northwest Panay Peninsula through sustainable and participatory management by the local governments in Aklan and Antique.
It was authored by Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr., Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab.
NPPNP covers 12,009 hectares of Nabas, Malay and Buruanga towns in Aklan, and Pandan and Libertad in Antique.
The Lower House last week transmitted the bill to the Senate for deliberation.
Under the bill, the management and administration of NPPNP is vested in the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) working closely with the Northwest Panay Biodiversity Management Council.
A coordinating body among member local governments, the council shall strengthen policy direction and heighten the commitment of communities within and bordering the natural park.
Members of PAMB are the regional director of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); governors of Aklan and Antique; mayors of Nabas, Malay and Buruanga in Aklan, and Libertad and Pandan in Antique; and the chieftains of all barangays with territorial jurisdiction at NPPNP.
Other members are three representatives from nongovernment organizations in Aklan and Antique, and at least seven people’s organizations duly accredited by DENR.
Anyone who hunts, collects, destroys, traps, disturbs or possesses anywhere within NPPNP any wild plant, animal or product, will be meted with a fine or imprisonment.
Anyone who cuts, gathers, collects or removes timber or other forest products without a prior PAMB permit, will face the same penalties, too.
Other activities prohibited at NPPNP are kaingin or slash-and-burn farming, treasure hunting, and dumping, burning or disposing of any substance harmful to the ecosystem, plants and animals or human inhabitants. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
