Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Institutional Mechanisms.- The following administrative and policy-making mechanism shall be observed:

A. The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)- The PAMB shall be the policy-making body of the PA. It shall be composed of:

1. The regional executive director of the DENR, as chairman;

2. The barangay captains or their authorized representatives with territory inside the protected area;

3. One (1) NGO/PO representative concerned with the PA management chosen from among the eight (8) municipalities with territory inside the PA and duly accredited with the municipality being represented;

4. The regional director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or his/her authorized permanent representative;

5. The provincial officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);

6. The mayors or their authorized representatives of the towns and cities with territory inside the PA;

7. The provincial manager of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP);

8. One (1) representative for the owners and operators of existing facilities to be chosen among themselves;

9. The Provincial Planning and Development Officer, sitting asex officiomember to be endorsed by the governor;

10. One (1) representative from the sangguniang panlalawigan to be elected among themselves; and

11. One (1) representative from each indigenous cultural community within the PA chosen using customary practices.

Each member of the PAMB shall serve for a term of five (5) years and shall be considered to represent and carry the vote of his or her sector in all matters. PAMB members who represent government officials or agencies shall serve according to the term of office of their principals, unless sooner terminated by such official/s.

The PAMB of Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area shall have the following powers and functions:

a. Issue all rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act and promote the policy declaration herein set forth;

b. Establish criteria and set fees for the issuance of permits for the activities regulated by the Act or the management plan;

c. Adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of business, including the creation of committees to whom its powers may be delegated;

d. Approve the mangement plan and oversee the Office of the PASu;

e. Deputize interested individuals for the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Act;

f. Accept donations, approve proposals for funding and budget allocations and exercise accountability over all funds that may accrue to the Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area;

g. Coordinate with appropriate agencies for the regulation of flight patterns of aircraft going over the area in terms of altitudinal limits and emissions; and

h. Retain legal counsel, either on a permanent or temporary basis, to provide legal assistance to the PAMB and the PASu staff whenever they are sued in connection with the performance of their duties under this Act.

The Secretary shall exercise authority over PAMB to ensure that it is acting within the scope of its powers and functions. In case of conflict between administrative orders of national application issued by the DENR pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 and the rules and regulations issued by the PAMB, the PAMB shall notify the Secretary who shall resolve such conflict.

B. The PA Superintendent (PASu)- There shall be a PA Superintendent who is an employee of the DENR and shall serve as the chief operating officer of the PA. The PASu shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Prepare the management and successor plan as herein provided;

2. Provide a secretariat for the PAMB which shall supply it with all the information necessary to make appropriate decisions when necessary;

3. Hire and supervise the necessary personnel to support operations as the budget made available by the PAMB may allow;

4. Establish a productive partnership with the local community, including groups interested in the achievement of the goals and objectives of the PA, and in the planning, protection and management thereof;

5. Develop and implement a park information, education and visitor program;

6. Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the PA and assist in the prosecution of offenses;

7. Monitor all activities within the PA for conformity with the management plan; and

8. Perform such other functions as the PAMB may assign