Nograles said both bills advocate the rich biodiversity in the Philippines as well as the need to protect such biodiversity. “We can achieve this through the establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of a national park as provided for in the Constitution,” Nograles said. The proposed statute for all intents and purposes aims to improve Republic Act 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992. The proposed measure identifies around 100 areas that should be established as protected areas with land or water classification of a national park. These locations will add to those that have been previously declared as protected areas through Congressional action.

Source: The Standard November 15, 2017 15:56 UTC