Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Management Plan. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act and in accordance with the general management planning strategy as provided for in the NIPAS Act, there shall be a management plan to be prepared by the office of the PASu in coordination with the local communities, ICCs/IPs and experts with socioeconomic, anthropological and ecological experience in the area. It shall contain, among others:

(a)A period of applicability for twenty-five (25) years subject to periodic review every three (3) years;

(b)Goals and objectives of management in support of Section 2 hereof;

(c)Key management issues such as, but not limited to, issuance of tenurial instruments; issuance, screening and approval of all development and land-use activities within the NSMNP and its buffer zones; and adequate protection and restoration of endangered species and fragile ecosystems;

(d)Site management strategy including, but not limited to, establishment of clear and simplified guidelines on activities, consistent with the NIPAS Act and this Act, that shall be allowed within the zones;

(e)Major management activities such as, but not limited to, enforcement of laws, habitats and wildlife management, sustainable use management, infrastructure development and maintenance, fire prevention and pest and disease control;

(f)Zoning in accordance with Section 9 hereof;

(g)Mechanisms for the protection of the occupants therein in the exercise of their rights;

(h)Regulations for sustainable, ecologically sound use of non-protected species of flora and fauna and their habitats; harvesting, hunting and trapping with respect to the protection of fragile habitats, wild animal breeding seasons, roosting and feeding sites; and

(i)Sustainable livelihood activities.

The management plan shall be consistent with the nature of the NSMNP as a protected area under the category of a natural park. It shall be reviewed and approved by the PAMB and certified to by the DENR Secretary that it conforms to all laws and rules and regulations issued by the DENR. The management plan shall not be revised nor modified except by prior consultation with the PAMB and in accordance with the procedure herein set forth.

Before the expiration of the initial management plan, there shall be a successor plan to be prepared by the office of the PASu in the same manner as the procedure and principles herein set forth and in accordance with the general management planning strategy as provided in the NIPAS Act. A year before the expiration of the management plan, the PASu shall cause the publication of notices for comments and suggestions on the successor plan in a newspaper of local circulation and the posting of such notices in the provincial, municipal and barangay halls and in three (3) other conspicuous areas frequented by the public. The successor plan to the management plan shall be made available for public perusal at the office and sub-offices of the PASu and the DENR provincial office.