Section 9Sec./Art. 9

The Protected Area Management Office. - There is hereby established a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to be headed by a PASu who shall supervise the day-to-day management, protection, and administration of the PIPS. The PASu shall hold a permanent plantilla position and shall be appointed by the DENR Secretary. A sufficient number of support staff with permanent plantilla positions shall likewise be appointed by the DENR Secretary to assist the PASu in the management of the PIPS

The PASu shall be primarily accountable to the PAMB and the DENR for the management and operations of the PIPS. Pursuant to thereto, the PASU shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Prepare the management plan, including the annual work and financial plan and ensure its implementation, in consultation with stakeholders;

(b) Ensure the integration of PIPS management plan, programs, projects, and policies with relevant national and LGUs' plans and programs;

(c) Provide secretariat services to the PAMB and its committees and ensure the availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;

(d) Formulate and recommend proposed policies, rules, regulations, and programs to the PAMB;

(e) Establish, operate, maintain a database management system which shall be an important basis for decision-making;

(f) Enforce the laws, rules, and regulations relevant to the PIPS, commence and institute administrative and legal actions in collaboration with other government agencies or organizations, and assist in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of the provisions of this Act;

(g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of the PIPS;

(h) Request for and receive any technical assistance, support, or advice from any agency or instrumentality of the government as well as academic institutions, NGOs, and the private sector, as may be necessary for the effective management, protection, and administration of the PIPS;

(i) Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management plan and other permitted activities in accordance with terms, conditions, and criteria established by the PAMB: Provided, That all permits for extraction of natural resources, including collections of wildlife, and its by-products or derivatives for research purposes, shall continue to be issued by relevant authorities, subject to prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the specific acts to be covered;

(j) Collect and receive pertinent fees, charges, donations, and other income for the PIPS: Provided, That such fees, charges, donations, and other income collected and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in accordance with existing guidelines;

(k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, the approval of the annual work and financial plans of the PIPS based on the management plan; and

(l) Perform such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.

The PAMO may be augmented by the deputized local environment and natural resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR.7!ᕼdMᗄ7

ARTICLE III

PROCEEDS AND FEES