Section 4August 22, 2007, Sec./Art. 4

Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

(a) "Biological diversity" or "biodiversity" shall refer to the wealth of life forms found on earth, the millions of different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the intricate ecosystem they form.

(b) "Buffer zones" shall refer to identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately adjacent to designated protected areas that need special development control in order to avoid or minimize harm to the protected area.

(c) "General management plan" shall refer to the basic long-term framework plan for the management of the protected area and shall serve as guide in the preparation of the annual operations plan and budget.

(d) "General Management Planning Strategy (GMPS) " shall refer to a guide in the formulation of site specific management plans, including buffer zones.

(e) "Indigenous peoples" shall refer to people sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits and who have since time immemorial occupied, possessed and utilized a territory.

(f) "Integrated Protected Areas Fund (IPAF) " shall refer to a trust fund established for purposes of financing projects within a protected area.

(g) "Management manual" shall refer to the individual management plan containing basic background information, field inventory of the resources, assessment of assets and limitations, regional interrelationships, particular objectives for managing the area, appropriate division into management zones, review of the boundaries and design of the management programs of the area.

(h) "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) " shall refer to the classification and administration of all designated protected areas established pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources and to maintain the natural conditions to the greatest extent possible.

(i) "Protected Area (PA) " shall refer to identified portions of land and water set aside by reasons of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.

(j) "Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) " shall refer to the site-based decision-making body responsible in the planning, resource protection and general administration of the area in accordance with the approved management plan.

(k) "Protected landscape" shall refer to an area of national significance which is characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic activity of the area.

(l) "Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) " shall refer to the chief operating officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the Mimbilisan Protected Landscape.

(m) "Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the DENR.

(n) "Tenured migrants" shall refer to any person who has actually and continuously occupied an area for five years prior to the designation of the same as a PA in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Act and are solely dependent therein for subsistence.