President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law three legislations that declared parcels of land in Guimaras, Quezon and Albay provinces as natural parks and protected landscapes to ensure the conservation, protection, management and rehabilitation of the rich biological resources in the areas.

On July 9, President Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12225 declaring a parcel of land in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras as the Taklong and Tandog Group of Islands Natural Park.

President Marcos also signed on the same day Republic Act No. 12226 declaring the Alibijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape in San Andres, Quezon.

The President also signed on July 9 Republic Act No. 12227 declaring a protected area in Polangui and Oas municipalities, as well as Ligao and Tabaco cities all in Albay province to be referred to as the Mt. Masaraga Protected Landscape.

Under the law, protected area management boards will be established to oversee and manage those areas.

The boards will be composed of officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), legislators, government agencies, local government units (LGUs), indigenous people’s groups, and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Trust funds will be put up for project financing to sustain operations.

A natural park is a large area not materially altered by human activity where extractive resource uses are not allowed. It is maintained to protect outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for various uses.

A protected area, on the other hand, is an identified portion of land and water set aside by reason of its unique physical and biological significance. | PND