Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Management Plan. - There shall be a Management Plan promulgated for the MBSCPL that shall serve as the basic long - term framework plan in the management of the protected area and guide in the preparation of its annual operations plan and budget.

Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Management Plan shall have been put into effect following the general management planning strategy provided for under the NIPAS Act and according to the procedure herein set forth. It shall contain, among others, the following:

(a) The category of the protected area;

(b) Period of applicability of the plan;

(c) Key management issues:

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

(e) Site management strategy;

(f) Major management activities such as, but not limited to, enforcement of laws, habitat and wildlife management, sustainable - use management, infrastructure development and maintenance, and fire and pest control;

(g) Zoning; and

(h) Visitor management programs.

The Management Plan shall be prepared by the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) in coordination with the appropriate offices of the department, local communities and the NGOs. It shall be reviewed and approved by the PAMB and certified by the Secretary of the Department. Such certification shall be mandatory to ensure that the plan16 conforms to all laws and the applicable rules and regulations issued by the Department: Provided, however, That the Secretary may revise and modify the protection and conservation plan, after consultation with the PAMB, prior to certification to ensure conformity with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

A year before the expiration of the period of the applicability of the plan in effect, the PASu shall cause publication of notices for comments and suggestions on the successor plan in a newspaper of general circulation in the concerned municipalities. Notices shall also be posted in the respective provincial and municipal halls of the: concerned provinces and municipalities as well as in the barangay halls bounding or immediately adjacent to the protected landscape. The proposed plan shall be made available to the public during the period for comment and a final plan shall likewise be made available for public perusal at the office of the PASu upon the approval of the PAMB: Provided, That the plans shall be plainly written in a language understandable in the area.