The implementation of RA 10629 is being eyed to promote the sustainable management of the 240 declared Protected Areas (PAs) covering around 5 million hectares of terrestrial forests, mangrove forests and marine sanctuaries.
The BMB has administrative jurisdiction over PAs even if they are run and managed by Protected Areas Management Board (PAMBs). Lim said that, with the proposed P1.12-billion budget, which is only a slight increase from its current budget this year, the automatic retention of the Integrated Protected Areas Fund (Ipaf) will be a relief.
Lim said the automatic retention of Ipaf generated by the PAMBs will also be a big boost in stepping up the implementation of development projects to enhance the ecotourism potentials of the PAs.
Of the P1.12-billion proposed budget for PA management under the 2015 National Expenditure Program submitted by Malacañang to Congress, P311.8 million will be for the development of 22 ecotourism sites, P186.8 million for around 77 PA sites and P132.8 million for coral reef and marine-ecosystem protection.
“It will encourage PAMBs to perform their duties and responsibilities, strengthening the protection and conservation effort of the country’s PAs,” she said. PAMBs are the highest policy-making body of a declared PA.
The law, signed in October 2013 by President Aquino, allows the automatic retention of 75 percent of the revenues generated in the operation of PAs under RA 7586, or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (Nipas).
RA 10629 amends the Ipaf, a provision under Section 16 of Nipas.
Lim said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has submitted a draft IRR, which is now being reviewed by the Bureau of Treasury (BoT) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
“On our part, we have submitted a draft IRR to the BoT and DBM. Once the draft IRR is finalized, a joint circular will be the final step to put in place the IRR, which will pave the way for the implementation of Republic Act 10629,” she said.
While the law was signed by Mr. Aquino in October last year, it was also the President who vetoed its implementation, pending the approval of its IRR, hence, the need to put in place the IRR for the Ipaf automatic-retention law to be implemented.
Under the law, the PAMBs will be allowed to retain 75 percent of taxes from the permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources; proceeds from lease of multiple-use areas within PAs; contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the PAs; and all other fees and incomes derived from their operation, allowing them to use the fund for their operations.
Before, 100 percent of the revenues derived from the operation of the PAs go to the National Treasury. The release of the funds back to the PAs through the DENR for maintenance operation under the annual General Appropriation Act as approved by Congress is often delayed.
Aside from working out the approval of the IRR for the Ipaf Automatic-Retention Law, Lim is urging authors of the law through the languages in the special provision of the budget law for 2015 to allow the automatic retention of Ipaf pending the approval of the IRR.
Jonathan L. Mayuga