APRIL 28, 2012 DATE

NR # 2723
REF. NO.

Panel approves tax provision of proposed Apo Reef Natural Park Act
The House Committee on Ways and Means has approved the tax provision of a bill that seeks to establish the Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP) in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, and declare it is a protected area. The approved tax provision, Section 29-A, of the substitute bill to House Bill 3294 seeks to exempt any donation or bequest made to the ARNP from donors tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. The committee chaired by Rep. Isidro Ungab (3rd District, Davao City) in a recent hearing prior to the congressional recess approved the tax provision. Prior to its referral to the Committee on Ways and Means, House Bill 3294 had been approved by the Committee on Natural Resources chaired by Rep. Francisco Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte). The authors of the measure cited that considering the rich biodiversity of the Apo Reef and its vital role in the fishery and ecotourism industries in the country, it is hereby the declared policy of the State to ensure its protection and conservation, including its associated waters and islands. As such, the State shall ensure the mobilization of resources for the operation of the institutional mechanism established for the Apo Reef and the provision of scientific and technical support needed for the conservation of the biodiversity and integrity of its ecosystems according to the bill. According to Wikipedia, Apo Reef is the world's second-largest contiguous coral reef system and the largest in the country. The bill provides for the creation of the Apo Reef Natural Park Management Board which shall have jurisdiction, power and authority over the ARNP for all matters that may affect biodiversity, conservation, protection and sustainable development. The board shall be chaired by the regional executive director of the DENR Region 4-B. It also provides for the establishment of a Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) Office to be in charge of the implementation of projects, programs and policies for the management, protection and administration of the ARNP. More so, it provides for the establishment of the ARNP Trust Fund to finance ARNP projects. The trust fund incomes shall be derived from visitor or tourist fees, fees from

APRIL 28, 2012 DATE

NR # 2723
REF. NO.

permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the ARNP, proceeds from registration and lease of multiple-use areas, including tourism concessions, contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the ARNP, and such other fees and income derived from the ARNP operation. The ARNP trust Fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions. The unnumbered substitute bill is authored by Reps. Ma. Amelita CalimbasVillarosa (Lone District, Occidental Mindoro), Matugas and Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite). (30) rbb