PROPOSED MOUNT SAWTOOTH (RIMMAGADE)

PROTECTED LANDSCAPE

Introduction

The Philippines, the second-largest archipelago in the world and considered a

“megadiversity country” because of its rich and exceptional ecosystems and known to be a
home to 52,177 species of flora and fauna. Out of this, 418 were listed as endangered and a
third of 9,000 species of both flora and fauna are endemic.
With the country’s high endemicity, these species are at risk due to various threats
making our country as one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. With the alarming rate of
deforestation which causes biodiversity loss, conservation management strategies of the
country’s diverse resources must be undertaken before they vanish to extinction.

There is a total of 228 key biodiversity areas (KBAs) in the country. These areas were
identified based on the integrated results of the 128 terrestrial KBAs and 123 marine KBAs
identified in 2006 and 2009, respectively. This approach was initiated in the country for it
provides an appropriate framework in the prioritization of conservation action and strategies in
the country.

One of the most recent initiatives is the New Conservation Areas in the Philippines
Project (NewCAPP), a collaboration between the DENR- Biodiversity Management Bureau and
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Global Environmental
Facility (GEF). It focuses on the expansion and diversification of the terrestrial protected areas
(PA) system in the country.

Among the 240 protected areas under NIPAS, only 13 are backed by laws while the rest
of the protected areas are covered by executive orders or presidential proclamations which are
only initial components and may be disestablished by the DENR upon recommendation of the
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) which is the highest policy-making body for
protected areas.

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 With the recently legislated Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-
NIPAS) of 2018, it increases the number of protected areas from 13 to 107 which cannot be
disestablished without Act of Congress. The country’s protected area establishment is one of
the most effective conservation measures to prevent biodiversity loss and the E-NIPAS also
law provides the legal framework and enhances the protection and conservation of our PAs.

Among the 228 KBAs in the country with a total of 106,552 sq. km, 50 are protected
KBAs, 41 are partially protected while the remaining 137 are unprotected. Zambales Mountain
Range is one of the identified KBAs comprising the municipalities of Santa Cruz, Candelaria,
Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, province of Zambales, municipalities of Capas, Tarlac,
Mayantoc, San Clemente, Mangatarem, province of Tarlac and Aguilar, Bugalion and Infanta
provinc of Pangasinan.

With the initiatives of the Provincial Government of Tarlac, LGUs and in partnership
with the academe and the DENR, studies and assessment were conducted by the Tarlac
Agricultural University, University of the Philippines, Institute of Biology, Diliman which
evidently proves that the Zambales Range, Tarlac Side specifically Mount Sawtooth is highly
diversified of both flora and fauna. Some observed species fall under the Vulnerable, Near
Threatened and Endangered categories. Thus, a need to conserve and protect the vastness and
richness of its ecosystem by proposing the Mount Sawtooth a protected area.

Area Profile
1. Geographic Location
The proposed protected area
in Tarlac with an approximate
area of 10,967.96 hectares is
located within the municipalities
of San Jose (7,673.87 has.) and
Mayantoc (3,294.09 has). It lies
within the geographical
coordinates of 120’ 11’ 25.86” E
to 120’11’43.35’’ E longitude
and 15’30’14.30’’N to 15’23’27.02”N latitude, (UTM) Zone 51, Luzon 1911.

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 It is bounded on the North and West by the province of Zambales, East by Barangay
Burgos, San Jose, South-East by Barangay Maamot, San Jose, Tarlac and North-East by
Barangay Labney, Mayantoc, Tarlac.

The proposed site has two known

access points, the first one is a jump-off
from Sitio Tala at Barangay Burgos, San
Jose, Tarlac and the other one is from
Barangay Labney, Mayantoc, Tarlac. Sitio
Tala is about 26.37 kilometers from Tarlac
City and can be accessed by any type of
vehicle up to Barangay Burgos and by a
4x4 vehicle from Barangay Burgos to Sitio
ADMINISTRATIVE MAP
Tala. A 26.37 kilometers trek from Sitio Tala is needed
before reaching the summit of Mt. Sawtooth.

The other jump-off

point is from Barangay
Labney, Mayantoc, Tarlac
through a trail that is
popular to mountaineers
who had already
experienced going to Mt.
Tapualo in Zambalez via
that said route. Mayantoc
is about 32 kilometers
from Tarlac City and is 16
2 TRAILS LEADING TO THE PROPOSED PROTECTED AREA kilometers away from
Barangay Labney. The proposed Protected area can finally be reached through another 15
kilometers trek from Labney.

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2. Conservation Measures
Zambales mountain range is considered a high priority conservation area
(Mallari et al. 2001; Ong et al., 2002, Conservation International, 2006) and also serves
as a sub-center of mammalian diversity in Luzon Island (Balete et al., 2009). In a 2006
publication entitled Priority Sites for Conservation in the Philippines: Key Biodiversity
Areas, the DENR – Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB, then called PAWB), in
collaboration with Conservation International (CI) Philippines and Haribon Foundation,
identified Zambales Mountain Range as one of the more than 200 such key biodiversity
areas (KBAs) in the country for priority conservation. Considered unprotected as it is
not yet covered by any presidential issuance (e.g. proclamation) nor legislation
declaring same as protected area (PA). The identification of KBAs in the country is in
congruence of the globally-sanctioned commitment to establish priority biodiversity
protection sites as stipulated in the provisions on the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD) and the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) (UNDP report).
The proposed protected area in Tarlac known locally as Mount Sawtooth is within the
range of the Key Biodiversity Area in Zambales Mountain Range.

3. Bio-physical profile
A. General topography and physiography:
1. Sketch Map of the
Area

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2. Soil (soil type, substrate type)

According to the study of Mr. Von Drashe, the Zambales mountain range is
composed mainly of gabbroitic ( a dark granular igneous rock composed essentially of
labrodite and augite) and dioritic (Diorite is the name used for a group of coarse-
grained igneous rocks with a composition between that of granite and basalt. It usually
occurs as large intrusions, dikes, and sills within continental crust. These often form
above a convergent plate boundary where an oceanic plate subducts beneath a
continental plate.) rocks. The gabbro is granular and shows olive-green and light brown
graois in the naked eye but turns out to be agite under the microscope. The augite
exhibits a non-considerable dichroism between reddish brown and olive green.

The soil type of the proposed site is ranging from clay-loam to undifferentiated
Tarlac Soils. It is volcanic in origin characterized by hard minerals and rich volcanic
soil. The topsoil is thin due to continues erosion and the absence of vegetation that can
prevent run-off and erosion. The soil strata is about one foot for every layer and becomes
thinner due to continued weathering and differentiation.

The texture varies from fine Angeles sand to course volcanic rocks. The color
varies from light brown to pitch black. The substratum is about one foot to two feet deep
while the tertiary stratum is about a meter deep. Different portions exhibit different
types but dominated by the undifferentiated Zambales soils.

The Zambales Mountain range is located within the southwestern part of

northern Luzon in the Philippines stretching from the Lingayen Gulf in the north to
Bataan Peninsula and the entrance to Manila Bay in the south. Its highest elevation is
High Peak (6,683 feet [2,037 m]). Lying farther south and across the bay from Manila
is Mount Mariveles (4,659 feet [1,420 m]), which marks the southern termination of the
range. The Zambales Mountains are rich in minerals, and their slopes are densely
forested. (https://www.britannica.com/place/Zambales-Mountains).

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 Mount Sawtooth has a total area of 10,967.96 hectares, 7,673.87 hectares of
which is located in San Jose while the remaining 3,294.09 hectares is located in
Mayantoc, Tarlac. The highest peak within the proposed area is 1,745 masl which is
located in the North Eastern portion of Brgy. Maamot and Brgy. Burgos, San Jose,
Tarlac.

There are three (3) types of ecosystems in the proposed protected area; a)
grassland, b) Dipterocarp forest and c) Mossy forest. The grassland areas are dominated
by cogon (Imperata cylindrica) and talahib (Sacharrum spontaneum). Tree Species
belonging to family Dipterocarpaceae like Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis) and
Malabayabas (Tristaniopsis decortocata) are present in the Dipterocarp forest while
species belonging to family Pordocarpaceae and Myrtaceae species are found in the
Mossy forest.

4. Hydrology map

There are two (2)

river systems that drain the
area, the Balog-Balog River
and the Camiling River.

The Balog-balog
River is a tributary of the
Bulsa-Moriones River that
drains its waters in Tarlac
River along with the
Camiling River. These river systems are part of the Upper Agno River Basin, the third
largest river basin in Luzon next to Cagayan and Pampanga River basins.

The destruction of the watersheds in Zambales Mountain range has a huge

impact in the urban and rurban areas of Tarlac and Pangasinan despite the fact that the
tributaries are within the Tarlac side of the Zambales Mountain Range. The current
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flood/runoff estimate of PAGASA may rise and the Tarlac and Pangasinan Plains may
suffer from the current and the incoming destructive floods in the absence of effective
conservation and protection measures.

5. Climatology
The Zambales
mountain range- Tarlac
side falls under Climatic
Type I with two (2)
pronounced seasons: dry
from November to May
and wet for the rest of the
year.

The humid southwest

monsoon (May to
October) is known as
“Habagat”. The cool and dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November to
April) is called “Amihan”. These seasons can seriously get mixed up by the
El Nino Phenomenon which brings extreme drought during the dry season
and La Nina which brings flood during the wet season.

B. Flora and Fauna

Flora and fauna are still highly diverse/diversified in the area. In a partial
list of flora and fauna from the conducted Protected Area Suitability Assessment
(PASA) on-site observation, the teams have recorded species with conservation
status based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN Red
List. There are 6 critically endangered flora species, 2 endangered flora species
and 1 endangered fauna species. There are also 4 vulnerable fauna species and
3 vulnerable flora species recorded. The 4 fauna species recorded are under the
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 Near-Threatened category. There are 4 fauna species and 3 flora species listed
by the IUCN under the Least Concern category but needs special attention. The
assessments conducted by the Tarlac Agricultural University and Institute of
Biology- University of the Philippines, Diliman in Zambales Mountain Range-
Tarlac Side proved the abundance as well as the diversity of endemic species in
the area
The table below shows the list of observed Flora and Fauna with economic
importance and special interest.

List of Notable Endemic Threatened Faunal Species of Mt. Sawtooth from PASA On-Site
Observation related to the Biodiversity Assessment conducted by IB-UPD and TAU:
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC CONSERVATION REMARKS
NAME STATUS
Northern Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax Vulnerable (IUCN- PASA and
iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Flame-breasted Fruit Dove Ramphiculus Vulnerable (IUCN- PASA and
marchei iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Philippine Deer Rusa marianna Vulnerable (IUCN- PASA and
iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Luzon Fanged Frog (Giant Limnonectes Near Threatened PASA and
Philippine Frog) macrocephalus (IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments
Golden-capped Fruit Bat Acerodon jubatus Endangered (IUCN- PASA and
iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Luzon Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba Near Threatened PASA and
luzonica (IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments
Luzon Highland Scops-owl Otus longicornis Near Threatened PASA and
(IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments
Philippine Warty Pig Sus philippensis Vulnerable (IUCN- PASA and
iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Philippine Long-tailed Macaca fascicularis Near Threatened PASA and
Macaque philippensis (IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments

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Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus Least concern PASA and
hermaphroditus (IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments
Red Jungle fowl Gallus gallus Least concern PASA and
(IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments
Philippine oriental frog Occidozyga laevis Least concern PASA and
(IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments
Reticulated python Python reticulatus Least concern PASA and
(IUCN- Biodiversity
iucnredlist.org) Assessments

List of Notable Endemic Threatened Flora Species of Mt. Sawtooth from PASA On-Site
Observation related to the Biodiversity Assessment conducted by IB-UPD and TAU:
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME CONSERVATION REMARKS
STATUS
Malabayabas Tristaniopsis Critically Endangered PASA and
decorticata Biodiversity
Assessments
Pahutan Mangifera altissima Vulnerable (IUCN- PASA and
iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Tanguile Shorea polysperma Critically Endangered PASA and
(iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
White Lauan Shorea contorta Critically Endangered PASA and
(iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Red Lauan Shorea negrosensis Critically Endangered PASA and
(iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Yakal Shorea astylosa Critically Endangered PASA and
(iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Apitong Dipterocarpus Endangered (IUCN- PASA and
grandiflorus iucnredlist.org) Biodiversity
Assessments
Almaciga Agathis philippinensis Vulnerable (BMB PASA and
threatened plants of Biodiversity
the Philippines Assessments
Igem Podocarpus spp. Vulnerable (BMB PASA and
threatened plants of Biodiversity
the Philippines) Assessments

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Philippine Jade Vine Strongylodon Endangered (BMB PASA and
macrobotrys threatened plants of Biodiversity
the Philippines) Assessments
Tree Fern Cyathea sp. Critically endangered PASA and
(BMB threatened Biodiversity
plants of the Assessments
Philippines)
Rattan Calamus sp. Least concern (IUCN) PASA and
Biodiversity
Assessments
Pakpak Lawin Asplenium nidus Least concern (IUCN) PASA and
Biodiversity
Assessments
Tiger Palm Pinanga maculata Least concern (IUCN) PASA and BA’s

C. Geology including geological hazards

There were two (2)
geohazard categories within the
Mt. Tapulao. These are the
landslide susceptibility and flood
susceptibility.

Landslide susceptible
areas are further classified into
four (4) categories, these are the
a) low susceptibility to landslide
covering 66.55 hectares, b) moderate susceptibility to landslide covering 120.8 hectares,
c) high susceptibility to landslide covering 996.99 hectares and d) very high
susceptibility to landslide with 9,293.73 hectares.

Landslide Categories Area (Ha.)

Low susceptibility to landslide 66.55
Moderate susceptibility to landslide 120.8
High susceptibility to landslide 996.99
Very high susceptibility to landslide 9,293.73

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With regards to flood susceptibility, 489.89 hectares is highly susceptible to flooding.

Flood Categories Area (Ha.)

Low susceptibility to flooding N/A
Moderate susceptibility to flooding N/A
High susceptibility to flooding 489.89

D. Vulnerability studies
Vulnerability studies was not yet conducted. However, the Tarlac
Agricultural University and Institute of Biology of the University of the Philippines
have conducted biodiversity assessment that served as our reference in the recently
conducted Protected Area Suitability Assessment by DENR Tarlac.

Socio-cultural Profile
Mount Sawtooth in Tarlac is within the political jurisdiction of the municipalities of
San Jose and Mayantoc. It is covered by Barangays Burgos and Maamot in San Jose
and Barangay Labney in Mayantoc. The inhabitants of the communities near and
adjacent to the mountain belong to the Abelling Tribe, the common aeta tribe in Tarlac.
This tribal group is found mostly in the hinterlands of the province, specifically in the
highlands of San Jose, Mayantoc, Bamban, Capas and Sta. Juliana, as they thrive and
co-exist peacefully with the other Aeta groups in the province.

The Abellings are traditionally semi-nomadic as they have spread throughout

the region after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Although limited historical data are available regarding the tribe, it is believed
that they are also descendants of the most popularly known Aeta Tribes like the Mag-
indi, Magan-tsi, Ambala and Mariveleño. The Abellings’ physical features are slightly
bigger in size than other aborigines and their hair is not as kinky as those of the Ma-
gantsi tribe, thus, others dubbed them as “äeta mestizos”. These communities are
affiliated mainly to the Roman Catholic Church while some are from other minor
churches.

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Majority of them have adopted the language of their Austronesian neighbors, Sambalic
language that belongs to the Central Luzon language family.

Festivities
The IP communities conduct a regular annual thanksgiving feast called “dagaw”
where festivities were celebrated all day long, reliving their traditional ethnic dance
termed as “taripi” and also features their local practices and delicacies. During these
occasions, they wear their native costumes, women floral dresses in red color called
“baheleng” while “bahag or lubay” for men while dancing. Traditional foods include
the root crop called “Karot” along with wild hog and deer meat with the traditional
upland rice called “gudoy” and “kinumpanya”.

Traditional festivities are regarded as a compulsory undertaking to express their

gratitude for a fruitful year or a good harvest.

Rituals
Having rich traditions and cultural practices, the Abelling Tribe at Sitio San
Pedro, Iba, San Jose, Tarlac conduct a unique ritual called “Paduyduy” as a way of
expressing their gratitude for the bountiful harvest. This celebration signals the
readiness of the land for planting or tilling and usually conducted before the end of the
summer months. Further, the Abellings choose their next “anito” during the
“Paduyduy” wherein seven (7) sitios of the Abellings participate in this significant
ritual. Anitos serve as their spiritual guides, healer of the people and prophet as well.
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 All aspiring anitos will be carefully selected by the Council of elders and the
ritual will lasts for three to seven days. The house of the Anito is sacred where only the
sick and those who are seeking counsel could get inside that is adorned with 100 pieces
of different food that are suspended inside the house for they believed that visiting
spirits feasts on these foods.

The candidates adorned themselves with costumes of high-ranking officers of

the army, soldiers, while the ladies wear the traditional Filipiniana with red “bandana”
or “belo” on their head as they tirelessly dance with the beat of guitars and drums until
they are caught up in a trance. The dancing in trance lasts for three days and three nights
continuously.
(https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/sunstarpampanga/20140513/281539403980542)

A special coral is built for the sacrificial pig, the biggest in the village, whose sole
purpose of been raised was its blood that is intended for the ritual. Women then march around
the ritual house with continuous chanting or selected males carry the pig on their shoulders and
parade it five times around the house of the anito.

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 Once the pig is killed, the elders then take turns in sucking the fresh blood before
beheading and placed at the middle of the house. Other parts of the pig will be
distributed to the people for the feast.

Some elders lament that the younger generations are not keen in joining or
observing these traditions and rituals. They are uncertain whether the future generations
will still observe these significant ritual/traditions.

Based on the Key Informant Interview (KII) conducted by the PASA Teams in
the communities, on the guides and hired porters, one of the cultural beliefs/traditions
practiced by the tribe is the slaughtering of a “wild pig” before they consume the first
harvest of the year. During this occasion, the meat was hanged to drain the blood
overnight. While waiting for the next day, members of the tribe gather and dance with
the tune of “Kutibing” (guitar-like instrument) as part of their Thanksgiving rituals for
the good harvest.

Traditional Hunting Practices

Based on the result of the Key Informant Interview (KII) with the stakeholders,
wildlife hunters on the San Jose side regarded Mount Sawtooth as a sacred ground. They
narrated that when a wildlife entered the vicinity of the said mountain during a hunting
operation, that particular animals is spared from hunting and given a chance to live.
Thus, it can be conclude that Mount Sawtooth is a rich nesting ground of wildlife.

Hunting wild animals is one of their ways of living, tribal hunters/members set
up “silo” using ropes and rattan and “patungkab” or blasting caps, which according to
the tour guides, are fruits inserted with improvised explosives which is specifically used
for hunting wild pigs. Based on the interview conducted in the community, hunting is
one of their sources of livelihood and food sustenance. There were also accidental
instances where deer, monkeys and musangs were also caught by their traps. Further.
they have also designated their territorial hunting grounds or “sektor”.

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Marriage practices

Young girls in the tribe can be committed to marriage with a young man just after her
first menstruation. Most marriages were pre-arranged by the elders of the tribe or their parents.
Traditional dowry is provided by the groom which can be a something of high value, livestock,
a gun or a piece of property or land. The mother of the bride often asks for a price or
compensation from the groom as payment for her efforts in rearing the young girl up to her
marriage. Each groom can have more than one wife, depending on his ability to support a family
or his financial status. The first night is always the barometer of marriage. If the groom
discovered that the young girl is no longer a virgin, he has the option to disown his wife and
recover his dowry, but oftentimes, this practice was disregarded if the young couple decided to
stick together.

Separated couples can remarry anyone of their choices and the cycle of marriage
will again be repeated from the start.

Election of leaders
The traditional election takes place once a petition by majority of the members
of the tribe requested the NCIP for a change of leadership. All aspiring leaders will be
called in front of the tribe and will give a short message. Then the voters will be called
to fall in line behind their chosen candidates and the result of the election will be final
and binding. Oftentimes, traditional elections were witnessed by representatives of the
NCIP and an assigned Barangay Official, most probably a Barangay Kagawad. Election
can be undertaken annually or any time when a petition for a change of leadership was
submitted to the proper agencies.

Traditional Farming
Traditional farming is through the fallow system with a two-year rotation.
Planting of rice is done through direct seeding in a pre-burned kaingin. The rice varieties
can only be planted in a well-drained and sloping areas. No fertilizer is applied for its
vigorous growth, only potash from the ashes of burned grasses and brushes. Rice
farming is accompanied by the planting of root crops and vegetables. Accordingly, roots

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crops will be harvested during summer to serve as the food on the table when rice
farming is not feasible due to the absence of rain. Other kinds of foods like mushrooms,
wild fruits and vegetables and root crops are gathered from the forest especially during
the rainy season. Fruits from forest trees like the fruits of Apitong were gathered and
eaten like vegetables while the seeds of Palosapis are roasted as coffee.

Abelling dish
The province of Tarlac excels in its delectable cuisine and the Abelling tribe also
has a contribution that everyone must try. Their “Sinigang sa kulibangbang” which is
prepared and cooked using only two ingredients, organic chicken and “kulibangbang”
leaves. The chicken is slowly cooked overnight with organic kulibangbang leaves.

Population
Among the three barangays situated near Mount Sawtooth, Barangay Burgos
has the highest population of 2,972 individuals as determined by the 2015 Census
representing 8.20% of the total population of San Jose. It is composed of non-IPs and
78 Aeta households.

According to the 2015 Census, the highest population in Barangay Burgos by

age group 5-9 is comprising 323 individuals while in the age group of 80 and above
has the lowest population with 20 individuals.

There is an increase of 1,967 individuals from 1,005 (1990) to 2,972 (2015) in

a span of 15 years. The latest census in 2015 denotes a negative growth of 0.63% or a
decrease of 100 individuals from the population of 3,072 in the year 2010.

The highest population by is in the age group of 5-9 which is located in Brgy.
Maamot with 360 individuals while the age group with lowest population is 75-79 with
9 individuals.

Barangay Maamot has a population of 2,726 individuals based on the 2015

Census which represents 7.52% of the total population of San Jose, Tarlac.

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 Barangay Maamot’s population increased by 1,206 individuals from 2,520
(1990) to 2,726 (2015). The 2015 Census denotes a positive growth rate of 2.28% or an
increase in the population of 305 from the 2,421individuals in the year 2010.

Among the three (3) barangays, Barangay Labney has the lowest population of
1,192 in the year 2015, an increase by 200 from 992 individuals in the year 2010.

Barangay Year 2010 Year 2015

Burgos 3,072 2,972
Maamot 2,421 2,726
Labney 992 1,192
TOTAL 6,485 6,890
TOTAL 6,485 6,890
Source: FLUP of Mayantoc 2015 and MPDC, Municipality of San Jose

Social services such as elementary school, Day Care Centers and health workers
were located at Sitios near the proposed protected area; a) Labney Elementary School
and Health workers at Brgy. Labney, Mayantoc, b) Day Care Center and Health
Workers at Sitio Tangan Tangan, Brgy. Maamot, San Jose, Tarlac and c) Day Care
Center and Barangay Health Workers at Sitio Tala, Brgy. Burgos, San Jose, Tarlac.

Based on the Key Informant Interview with the guides and porters, no migration
was recorded to the proposed protected area as it will take several days to reach the site.
Only hikers and mountaineers visit the area during trekking activities. Only Abellings
are living at the sitios located adjacent to the proposed areas.

Chieftains rule over communities in Sitios adjacent to Mt. Sawtooth imposing

their own rules when it comes to keeping the peace and order situation in their respective
areas. Chieftains and their members have also designated specific hunting grounds and
are prohibited to hunt in other areas outside their jurisdiction.
Likewise, there are three military detachments that are located at Sitios Bulao
and Ubol Barangay Maamot, San Jose, Tarlac and Barangay San Jose, Mayantoc.

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POLITICAL PROFILE

Political set up
The proposed Protected Area of Mt. Sawtooth is located within the political
jurisdiction of the Province of Tarlac, led by the Honorable Governor Susan A. Yap and
two (2) congressional districts led by Honorable Carlos O. Cojuangco of District 1 and
Honorable Victor A. Yap of District 2.

Mount Sawtooth is within the municipal jurisdiction of the Municipalities of San

Jose and Mayantoc. The Municipality of San Jose is under the leadership of Honorable
Mayor Romeo G. Capitulo while the Municipality of Mayantoc is under the leadership
of Honorable Mayor Julie P Icmat.

The Municipality of Mayantoc provides many scenic picnic grounds and

swimming sites and it is known as the “Summer Capital” of Tarlac. It has a land area of
311.42 square kilometers or 120.24 square miles (Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayantoc,Tarlac).

San Jose was created into a municipality pursuant to RA 6842, ratified on April
21, 1990, taken from Tarlac City. It is also the largest municipality of the province in
terms of land area which is of 592.81 square kilometers or 228.89 square miles which
constitutes 19.41% of Tarlac's total area (Source:
https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r03/tarlac/san-jose.html). Monasterio de Tarlac, situated in
San Jose municipality is a popular tourist destination in the Province. It is a monastery
on top of Mount Resurrection, part of the Zambales Mountain Range in San Jose.

Jurisdictional arrangements
Tarlac province is composed of three (3) Congressional Districts, one (1)
Component City, eighteen (18) Municipalities and five hundred eleven (511)
Barangays. The Municipality of Mayantoc is in the first district and is administratively
divided into twenty-four (24) barangays while the Municipality of San Jose is in the

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second district further subdivided into eighteen (18) barangays. Both are of third-class
municipalities in the Province of Tarlac.

Institutional systems
The proposed Protected Area (PA of the Mt. Sawtooth) needs to be continuously
conserved and protected. The Provincial Government of Tarlac can play a very
significant role in the establishment and development of Mt. Sawtooth. Collaboration
of all stakeholders and with other government agencies would be of great help for its
socio-economic growth.

Community organizing is a scheme that will be implemented to promote the

interest of the community, strengthen its leadership and provide a clear direction for its
development. It will likewise encourage to unite as an organization that will promote
their hopes, their aspirations and their shared interest.

The issuance of Executive Order No. 26 or the National Greening Program is

expected to address poverty, food security, environmental stability, biodiversity
conservation and climate change mitigation. This is being implemented with the help of
the People’s Organizations (POs) that act as DENR partners in the protection,
development and rehabilitation of our forestlands. The POs are contracted to undertake
the physical development of the NGP projects which include the rehabilitation and
development of our remaining forestlands that are adjacent to Mt. Sawtooth which can
serve as a possible extension of the habitat of the diverse flora and fauna.

The People’s Organizations adjacent to Mt. Sawtooth at the San Jose side are
the PO’s of Barangay Burgos and Maamot, whereas in Mayantoc is the PO of Brgy.
Labney. The different reforestation projects benefit the members of the People’s
Organization. Economically, the implemented projects generate jobs for the members
of the PO. The proclamation of Mt. Sawtooth as a protected area is expected to generate
more jobs for the community. Tour guides from the ranks of the PO will also benefit
from the approval of the said proclamation.

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 Non-government organizations are non-profit associations independent of
government that provide services and benefits to person other than its members. The
Tarlac Mountaineering Club is a group of pioneer mountaineers or trekkers who
initiatively made trails going to Mt. Sawtooth to avoid disturbance of the wildlife
ecosystem and preserve and conserve its aesthetic value. They encourage other
mountaineers to adopt their strategy for the welfare of the mountain.

The Local Government Units (LGUs) of Mayantoc and San Jose conveyed their
support to the programs intended for the protection and conservation of Mt. Sawtooth
as they supported the DENR’s National Greening Program, as an initiative to reforest
the degraded forest.

IP Governance
A tribal group found mostly in the localities of Tarlac Province is the Abelling
Tribe. Abellings are believed to be descendants of the most popularly known Aeta
Tribes. They stay together in communities scattered all over the highlands of Bamban,
Capas, San Jose, Mayantoc and Tarlac City. These tribes are governed by their duly
elected Tribal Officials and laws that were handed down from generations. The tribal
officials are not recognized as political bodies but de facto leaders of the tribe with
functions ranging from traditional leaders , judges, executioners, advisers and authority
to resolve conflicts. The proposed area is not yet covered by any government issued
land tenure, hence political and other form of IP governance is not existing in the site.

LEGAL BASIS

A. Existing Laws

The Philippines has statutes to help conserve and develop our environment. The
1987 Constitution is explicit in providing for ownership, government control, and
supervision of natural resources and lands of the public domain.

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 a. Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution

“The state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

Healthful ecology as a concept, covers not only physical environment and the
basic human needs like clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and surroundings free
of hazardous and infectious solid waste but all situations that will lead to a better
environmental condition.

The concept of balanced and healthful ecology are dynamic moving factors that
are heavily influenced by advances in science and technology, changes in the
environment, and the evolving needs of society.

This state policy however, is not self-executory and judicially enforceable hence
policies and statutes based on existing laws are regularly updated and some were
promulgated to cope up with growth. Hence, it had to be backed up by legislation. i.e.
Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act, Republic Act 9275 or the Clean Water Act.

b. Article XII, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution

“All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other
mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife,
flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. With the
exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be
alienated. The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources
shall be under the full control and supervision of the State xxx”

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 Except for agricultural lands, all other natural resources must remain with the
State. The exploration, development, and utilization of the country’s natural resources
are under full control and supervision of the government.

c. Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Protected Areas Integrated

System (ENIPAS) Act

The Expanded National Protected Areas Integrated System (ENIPAS) Act is a

national legislation intended for all protected areas to ensure their ecological integrity.

Salient provisions of the Act set conditions for scientific and technical support
for biodiversity conservation, delineation and demarcation of boundaries, deputation of
support especially on enforcement to the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu), and
regular reporting on the status of the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) and
allocating 75% of all revenues raised to the Protected Area Management Board
(PAMB).

It also expands the mandates of the Department of Justice to appoint Special

Prosecutors handling cases specifically related to Protected Areas, and assist in the
training of wardens and rangers in arrests and criminal procedures.

The ENIPAS Act strengthens protection and adds more than 100 legislated
protected areas in the Philippines, including the Philippine Rise Marine Resource
Reserve. It adopts strong amendatory measures to the 24 – year old National Protected
Areas Integrated System (NIPAS) Act.

d. Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection

Act

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 The Act provides for the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife
species and their habitats in order to preserve and encourage ecological balance
and biological biodiversity.

It provides for the support and promotion of scientific research on the protection
of biodiversity and the regulation of wildlife collection and trade.

The Act is enforceable for all wildlife species found in all areas of the country,
including those Protected Areas under the NIPAS Act.

B. Administrative and Executive Issuances

Existing Administrative and Executive issuances are continuously implemented

covering or affecting the environment and natural resources in the proposed protected.

a. Executive Order No. 23 - Moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of

timber in the Natural and Residual Forests and creating the Anti – Illegal
Logging Task Force

Its salient features include: a.) the suspension of Issuance of Logging Contracts
/ Agreements in all Natural and Residual Forests; b.) the DENR shall close and
not allow to operate all sawmills and other wood processing plants who has no
sustainable source of legally cut logs for a period of one month from effectivity
of E.O. 23; c.) DENR shall review/evaluate all existing IFMAs, SIFMAs,
CBFMAs and other forestry agreements/contracts and immediately terminate
those who have violated the terms and conditions of their contracts / agreements
as well as existing forest laws, rules and regulations ; and d.) Mandating all
Municipal and City Mayors, through their Barangay Captains, to conduct
periodic upland monitoring and to ensure that no illegal logging, kaingin making
and other forms of forest destruction occur in their areas of jurisdiction.

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 b. Executive Order 26 – The National Greening Program

The National Greening Program (NGP) is the massive forest rehabilitation

program established by virtue of Executive Order 26, issued on February 24,
2011 by President Benigno S. Aquino III. Aside from being a reforestation
initiative, the NGP is a Climate Change mitigation strategy that seeks to enhance
the country’s forest stock to absorb Carbon Dioxide, which is largely blamed for
Global Warming. The NGP seeks to grow 1 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares
nationwide within a period of six years from 2011 – 2016.

c. Executive Order 193 – Expanding the Coverage of the National Greening

Program

Established by Executive Order 193, the Expanded National Greening Program

issued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte targets to reforest some 1.2 million
hectares from 2017 to 2022 in accordance with the updated 2016 to 2028 Master
Plan for Forestry Development.

Foremost in ENGP’s objectives is to provide opportunities for communities to

develop social enterprises to produce sustainable livelihood and optimize
benefits, and encourage local government units, organized upland communities
in the development of forest plantations including forest parks.

C. Land Tenure

a. Land Tenure

The 10,967.96 hectare proposed protected area is geographically located in

the Municipalities of Mayantoc and San Jose in the Province of Tarlac. The

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 Municipality of Mayantoc covers 3,294.09 hectares while the Municipality of
San Jose covers the remaining 7,673.87 hectares.

Out of the 7,673.87 hectares in San Jose, 3,029.28 hectares is included in a

proposed Ancestral Domain Claim (ADC) by the Abelling Tribe of Maamot
covering the whole of Balog – Balog Watershed.

D. Local Ordinance

Various agreements and resolutions had been issued relative to the proposal of
Mount Sawtooth to be declared as a protected area.

The Honorable Governor of Tarlac Victor A. Yap entered into a Memorandum

of Agreement (MOA), through Resolution No. 029a- 2015, in behalf of the Provincial
Government of Tarlac for the Municipalities of San Jose and Mayantoc, with the DENR
Region 3 for the implementation of the Protected Area Management Enhancement
(PAME) Project. Zambales Mountain Range (Mount Sawtooth- Tarlac side).

Moreover, the Honorable Governor Victor A. Yap, in behalf of the Provincial

Government of Tarlac, entered into a contract through Resolution No. 029-2015 with
the Deutsche Gessellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GOZ) GmBH for the
project denominated as establishment of Local Conservation Areas (LCAs) within the
Zambales Mountain Range- Tarlac Side)

The Honorable Mayor of Mayantoc, Illuminado Pobre, Jr. was given the
authority through Resolution No. 11- 2015 by the Sangguniang Bayan to enter into a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Provincial Government of Tarlac and the
DENR for the establishment of the Local Conservation Areas within the Zambales
Mountain Range- Tarlac Side, particularly in Mount Tapulao.

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 Resolution No. 53 authorizes the Honorable Governor Victor A. Yap to enter a
Memorandum with the Regional Executive Director, DENR Region 3, in behalf of the
Provincial LGU and LGU of Mayantoc, Tarlac.

These only shows that the Provincial Government of Tarlac, LGUs concerned,
in collaboration with the DENR has initiatives and efforts to protect Mount Tapulao
and sourced funds from different organizations.

PAST AND CURRENT INITIATIVES (SUPPORTED WITH

MAPS/TABLES/FIGURES/DOCUMENTATIONS OF PAST
INITIATIVES
a. Past and on-going activities
The Tarlac Agricultural University, under the leadership of President Dr. Max
P. Guillermo, and in coordination with DENR, conducted a Biodiversity
Assessment in 2016 of the proposed area through the efforts of expert and competent
Foresters and Biologists. Inventory of different species of flora and fauna was
undertaken and reported to support the recommendation for the declaration of Mt.
Sawtooth as a Protected Area. The Tarlac Agricultural University has already
conducted studies of the area and submitted a comprehensive analysis. And to date,
the result of their study is already considered as an informative basis in the conduct
of further studies, local and foreign, due to the accuracy of data/information
regarding the presence of endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna.

The University of the Philippines Diliman- Institute of Biology also

conducted a similar activity this year under the initiative of the Provincial
Government of Tarlac for further studies and gather additional relevant data.

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 b. Research/es

b.1. Inventory and Assessment of Biodiversity Resources of Mount Tapulao,

Zambales, Luzon Island, Philippines conducted by UP Biology, Institute of Biology,
University of the Philippines Diliman, Diliman Science Research Foundation Inc.

An inventory and assessment of the biodiversity (flora and fauna) of Mount

Tapulao, Zambales, Luzon Island were conducted on August 9-15, 2012 and
September 20, to October 25, 2012. Based on the result of the assessment, seven
elevational gradients across different major forest types were surveyed. These
are the following: a) Site 1 Tropical lower montane (1600 m and 1669 m); b)
Site 2 Tropical sub-alpine forest (2035 m), c) Site 3 Tropical upper montane
(1820 m) d) Site 4 Tropical lower montane (1200 m- 1403); e) Site 5 Tropical
lowland evergreen (600 m- 800 m), Site 6 Tropical lowland evergreen (896 m)
and f) Site 7 Tropical semi-evergreen forest (forest fragment) The study sites
were located in three municipalities on the western side of Mount Tapulao: the
municipality of Palauig, where five study sites were located, and the
municipalities of Iba and Masinloc, with one site each.

The study was conducted in partnership with the Department of Natural

Environment and Natural Resources, Region 3 and funded by Global
Environment Finance- United Development Programme (GEF-UNDP) New
Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) and the Local
Government Units (LGUs) of Iba, Masinloc and Palauig. Source:
https://newcapp.files.wordpress.co2014/05/tapulaobdassess.pdf

c. Implementing Institutions, agencies or persons

c.1 Tarlac Agricultural University

c.2 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
c.3. LGU-Mayantoc
c.4 LGU- San Jose
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c.5 Provincial Government of Tarlac
c.6 UP BioLogy, Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman, Diliman
Science Research Foundation Inc.

Scope and limitation

The Integrated Protected Area Plan is formulated for the protection and
conservation of the areas located at the up-streams of Balog-balog and Camiling Rivers.
Included in the plan is the management and protection of known species of endangered
wild animals and plants as well as those that still need to be discovered and identified.
It also defines whether the identified endangered and critically endangered plants are
endemic in the site or common in other locations.
The plan also includes the analysis of the situation and the proposed
management interventions that should be undertaken to conserve the identified
endangered and threatened species, protect their habitat and maintain the protective and
productive services from the forests. The plan also includes the possible development
intervention that can be introduced that has little or no impact to the prevailing
ecosystem of the site. It will also determine the management arrangements that should
be implemented by all stakeholders or the roles of every agency or office for the
successful implementation of all activities and tasks.

The plan also includes the roles of the community in environmental protection
especially in the determination of the visitor carrying capacity of the site to prevent
contamination and pollution. It will also consider the indigenous knowledge and
traditions of the ICCs who has been living in the area through time immemorial.

However, the plan is limited to the formulation of approved and accepted

management strategies, activities to be undertaken and the definition of the roles of
every stakeholder for the protection and conservation of the identified site.

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Objectives

General
To formulate an inter-agency framework for the protection and conservation of
Mount Sawtooth and its declaration as a Protected Area.

Specific
1. To formulate a strong logic and justification to all bodies concerned for the
protection and conservation of the endemic and endangered species of flora
and fauna within the proximity of Mount Sawtooth in Tarlac;
2. To create a multi-agency task force within six months from the approval of
this plan and define the roles of every stakeholder in the enforcement of
Environmental Laws;
3. To spearhead the drafting of a legislated proclamation for Mount Sawtooth
as a protected landscape through representations to the legislators of the two
congressional districts of Tarlac;
4. To issue a written commitment relative to the protection and conservation of
Mount Sawtooth duly signed by the respective heads of all agencies and
stakeholders concerned upon the approval of the plan; and
5. To spearhead the creation and a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB)
to manage the proposed protected area.

Management Strategies

a. Resource Protection and Management

Resources in the area include timber and non-timber, water, land, minerals and
others. Timber includes all plants with woody stems/trunks while non-timber
include soft stemmed plants, vines and epiphytes. Water resources are those that are
naturally flowing into creeks and rivers while minerals include metallic like gold
and non-metallic.

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 In Resources Protection and management, all stakeholders shall perform the
following specific roles:

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources

The DENR through the field office takes the lead role in the protection and
management of our resources through the establishment of a Protected Area
Management Office (PAMO) to be led by a Protected Area Supervisor (PASU). It
shall be tasked to sustainably manage the protected area mostly by educating the
surrounding communities on the values and importance of our natural resources. It
shall employ the humane approach in management giving credence and
consideration to the indigenous knowledge and skills that are proven to be
sustainable, effective and environment-friendly. The DENR, in coordination with
the Provincial Government of Tarlac, Local Government Unit of San Jose and
Mayantoc shall activate the Multi-sectoral Forest Protection Committees to prevent
and control all illegal activities that may be undertaken that may include illegal
cutting and trees, illegal trade of indigenous plants and animals as well as
unwarranted research and visitations.
The Provincial Government of Tarlac

The Provincial Government of Tarlac, in coordination with other concerned

agencies, shall activate the Provincial Anti-illegal Task Force as a partner of the
Enforcement Unit of the DENR and the Municipal Forest Protection Committees in
the enforcement of environment laws. It shall likewise mandate its Tourism
Department to assure that responsible tourism practices be implemented like the
observance of the carrying capacity of the area.

The Local Government of San Jose and Mayantoc, Tarlac

The Local Governments of the two municipalities, by virtue of their FLUPs,

shall activate their Multi-sectoral Forest Protection Committees to prevent and
control any illegal activities in the protected area. The MFPCs headed by the DENR
30
shall be composed of the MENROs, the PNP, members of the Philippine Army,
Barangay Chairmen and selected PO chairmen. The LGUs shall likewise determine
the proper tenures to be awarded to open access areas in coordination with the
DENR. It shall also include the development of the protected area in their
development investment plan for funding. It shall also assign two of its personnel to
complement and help manage and protect the Protected Area. It shall likewise
capacitate its tourism office to serve as counterpart of the PASU.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples shall assure that the AD claim
of the IPs will not result to the depletion or the unwise use of the forest resources in
the site as well as the illegal vending of rights to non-IPs.

The Department of Public Works and Highways

The DPWH shall assure that the road to be constructed shall not dissect or shall
not reach the proposed site to prevent the possible entry of illegal occupants and
activities.

The National Irrigation Administration

The National Irrigation Administration shall help in the protection of the

forestland especially those that are within the premises of the Balog-balog
Watershed. It shall help in gathering information on the presence of any illegal
activities within the watershed and shall discourage any illegal hunting and
gathering of any form of flora and fauna for any purposes. It shall likewise form a
Team from their ranks to help the DENR and other law enforcement agencies in the
enforcement of all environmental laws.

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The Tarlac Agricultural University

The Tarlac Agricultural University shall lead in the conduct of research

especially on the propagation of endangered and critically endangered plant species.
These species shall be propagated and planted within the proclaimed protection area
for conservation purposes. They shall likewise spearhead a research on the
possibility of propagating some dipterocarp species under controlled conditions
especially the species belonging to the Philippine Dark Mahogany group.
5 Main Groups for the Philippine Mahogany
a.) Light Red Meranti
b.) Dark Red Meranti- Shorea genus
c.) White Meranti
d.) Yellow Meranti
e.) Balau

b. Ecological Restoration

Ecological restoration is an activity that intentionally initiates or accelerate the

recovery of an ecosystem relevant to its health, integrity and sustainability. The site
being a protected area should be limited to human activity or any form of
development except enrichment planting, Assisted Natural Regeneration and
resources conservation. As some portions of the area falls under the production zone
(areas with elevation of 999 meters above sea level and below) development can be
introduced especially the planting of indigenous pioneer species. These areas are
located within the geographic coordinates of 120˚13’19.48”E, 15˚26’50.577”N to
120˚13’19.828”E, 15˚26’57.387”N on the higher potion and 120˚13’35.469”E,
15˚25’36.347”N to 120˚13’27.846”E, 15˚25’38.059”N on the lower elevations. The
species inventoried in these sites include Akleng Parang (Albizia procera), Molave
(Vitex parviflora) and Bignai Pugo (Antidesma pentandrum) hence these will be the
species that will be propagated and planted in these particular sites.

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c. Waste Management

Waste management is the process of handling wastes from its inception to its
disposal. It will be thoroughly enforced by the Local Government Unit through their
respective Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers and the Office
of the Provincial ENRO of Tarlac. The process will include collection, transport,
and treatment up to its disposal.

Plastic wastes and containers will be discouraged and violators will be penalized
in accordance with the law. In addition, visitors shall also be informed of various
solid waste management strategies to be strictly followed while inside the protected
area. Waste management will not be a big issue as visitors will be limited especially
in the exclusive protection zone and will only depend on the carrying capacity of
the area.

d. Sustainable Ecotourism (with possible linkages with other tourism

networks)

Sustainable ecotourism refers to the responsible use of our natural resources for
recreation. This activity will be handled by the Local Government through their
Local Tourism Office. Tourists will be scheduled to avoid over capacity or tourist
visit will depend on the carrying capacity of the site.

Priority Actions for Responsible Eco-tourism include but not limited to the
following:

• Promotion of businesses that demonstrate environmental credentials through

accreditation programs
• Development and implementation of a responsible visitor communications plan,
including a responsible travel section;
• Preparation of guidance notes for event organisers on carbon footprint
measurement and reduction strategies;

33
• Promoting and continuing to enhance the Sustainability in Tourism service of the
Tourism Office in each municipality in order to assist businesses to become more
sustainable;
• Providing advice to provincial and municipal tourism offices on engaging with
tourism businesses on sustainability matters, including climate change. The key
measures of success of the Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan will
be:
• Increased number of tourism businesses participating in carbon measurement,
reduction and offset programs;

• Increased recognition of leading environmentally friendly tourism businesses;

• Increased number of industry professionals with expertise in sustainability issues;

• Increased number of consumers seeking sustainable experiences and acting in a
more environmentally friendly manner; and
• Increased number of businesses participating in environmental improvement
programs.

e. Zoning with Maps and Data

The main purpose of zoning is to segregate uses that are thought to be

incompatible to a certain place. It is the process of dividing a parcel of land in which
a certain purpose is permitted or prohibited. Zoning may specify a variety of outright
and conditional use of a tract of land and may also indicate the size and dimension
of a land area. These guidelines are set in order to guide growth and development.
Maps are prepared to distinguish the boundaries of surveyed and declared specific
zones and data indicate the bio-physical features or characteristics of a given zone.

The site of the protected area is divided into two zones. The exclusive protection
zone or the areas with elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level and higher as well
as the areas with more than 50% slope (more than 45˚ in slope) and the production
or multiple use zone or the areas of the forestland with less than 50% slope.

34
 The exclusive protection
zone has an area of 9,645.95
hectares while the production or
the multiple use zone has an area
of 1,322.01 hectares.

Management Zone Map

f. Visitor Safety Management

The objective of Visitor Safety Management is to manage perceived and actual risks
associated with visitors of the protected area in keeping with the government’s duty
of caring under relevant work health and safety legislation.

The visitor, in return shall be bound by the following rules:

•take reasonable care for their own health and safety;
•take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health
and safety of other persons; and
•comply, so far as they are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is
given to them by relevant authorities.

The following shall be the responsibility of concerned agencies and offices:

Infrastructure Services and Development (ISD)

1. Provision and management of infrastructure relating to visitor safety including:

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, help points, emergency phones,
duress alarms, lighting, and signage;
2. Grounds and facilities management and maintenance including management and
safety of contracted works;

35
3. Security services including: monitoring of CCTVs, site patrols, safety escorts
and incident response.

Organizational Unit heads

1. Assessment of visitor risk and control within their area of responsibility;
2. Determining security levels and authorizing access approvals;
3. Implementing visitor controls appropriate to the level of assessed risk
including: visitor registration, provision of information and supervision.

Work Health and safety Unit

1. Provision of advice and support for the assessment of visitor risk and the
implementation of controls;
2. Maintenance of a reporting system that includes visitor related hazards and
incidents.

Visitor hazards and Risk Controls

Visitor and hazard Risk control

Invited Visitors- mid to long term In some instances, these visitors may
duration such as consultants be more effectively manage as a
contractor, where a lower level of
direct supervision is needed.
Visitors with high risk areas such as In these areas, visitor access is strictly
laboratory workshops controlled in accordance with existing
protocols. Depending on the risks, the
visitor will be required to register,
complete an orientation and be
appropriately supervised.

36
Visitors to secure facilities Strictly control access made possible
by facility design. These must have
control points and visitor access pass.
Distinguish Visitor visits Visits by distinguish visitors are
managed in accordance with
appropriate protocols
Additional Hazards relating to Driving and road access shall be in
visitors compliance with road signage, speed
limits and traffic calming devices
such as road humps. Roads with
limited access shall be controlled by
using booms or gates.
Children in the area A children policy shall be formulated
and imposed.
Smoking The area is generally a smoking-free
area but designated smoking areas
shall be placed far from the public
places for health and other reasons.
Drug and Alcohol Use The consumption of alcohol will be
strictly regulated by the tourism
office.
Trekkers and hunters Registration and orientation shall be
strictly enforced. Hunting for
recreation is prohibited as well as
collecting wild plants and animals.
Trekkers will be accompanied by tour
guides and other security officers.
Ordinary visitors Registration and orientation will be
strictly enforced in addition to the no
loitering policy of the municipality.

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a. Social Marketing/IEC

One of the most effective marketing scheme today is through the social media.
The project will be advertised in these media for a wider coverage and more diverse
recipients. It will also be advertised in radios and local papers. Leaflets and fliers
will also be prepared and distributed to every interested person or entity. These jobs
shall be led by the Provincial/Municipal Tourism Offices in the province.

b. Human Resource Development

Human resource development gives emphasis on training, education and other

types of development. This is essential for the retention of workers that are properly
trained and supported. Human resource development are also meant to help the
community thrive and grow and avoid stagnation.

The community will be trained in plantation establishment, maintenance and

protection by competent personnel from the DENR. It will include proper
propagation of seedlings before planting as well as the techniques in plantation
establishment and maintenance.

The Tarlac Agricultural University or the Tarlac State University will be tapped
to train the community leaders in leadership and human resources development and
management.

For the defence of their rights over their perceived property, the National
Commission for Indigenous Peoples will be likewise tapped for the purpose.

The Department of Trade and Industry as well as the Municipal Government of San
Jose and Mayantoc will be assigned to train the community in the generation of
livelihood projects probably utilizing non-timber forest products.

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 c. Livelihood Development

Livelihood development shall be the duty of all agencies who are tasked to assist
the adjacent community in generating projects that are non-timber and has low impacts
to the environment. It will include the utilization of bamboo, rattan and other products
that are readily available locally.

d. Research and Development

Research and Development shall be undertaken by the Tarlac Agricultural

University and the DENR for the production of endangered species of flora through
tissue culturing. It will also take the lead in the discovery of previously undiscovered
species (discovery of new flora and fauna species) of flora and fauna as well as their
nomenclature, publishing and classification. Further research and development
shall design new techniques in conserving and maintaining the natural environment
of the site.

e. Local Policy

The Local Government of San Jose and Mayantoc shall formulate policies on
environmental conservation and protection through its Sangguniang Bayan
anchored on DENR laws and regulations. They shall also promulgate policies
regarding the CADC/CADT claims to prevent the illegal ending of rights to non-IPs
and to serve as a balancing power to the aims of the NCIP declaring all the
mountainous areas of San Jose as CADTable.

As a framework of local policies for the forestlands of San Jose and Mayantoc,
the prepared FLUP shall be updated to include the Mt. Tapulao Eco-tourism Project
and the Baag Development-based Ecotourism, adopted through a municipal
resolution and be an integral part of their CLUP.

39
f. Gender and Development

The participation of women in development and livelihood generation shall be

encouraged. Women’s group will be formed and registered in order for them to be
able to transact/conduct business with the government and other groups that are
willing to help. The project will give equal opportunities to both genders in terms of
job placement, trainings and management.

g. Vulnerability Assessment

Vulnerability assessment is a process that is intended to identify threats and the

risks they pose. It provides information on the security weaknesses in its
environment and provides direction on how to assess the risks associated with those
weaknesses and evolving threats.

A vulnerability assessment shall be conducted to determine the vulnerability of

the site to erosion, earthquake, flooding and other natural disasters especially that
the PHIVOLCS has discovered a new faultline in Tarlac. The assessment will
determine the resiliency of the area to floods, surface run-off, sheet and large scale
erosions during heavy rains and earthquakes.

h. Indigenous Peoples Concerns

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples has already declared the entire
forestlands within the jurisdiction of this office as CADTable, the proposed area,
included without even consulting other government agencies regarding their plans
and concerns. All stakeholders shall verify the veracity of the claims of IPs
regarding their claimed ownership if it is in line with the government’s goal on
resources conservation.

40
 Implementation Scheme
The following schemes shall be adopted:

The DENR shall have the following tasks:

1. It shall maintain coordination with the Representatives of the two (2) Congressional
Districts regarding the proclamation of the site as a protected area under eNIPAS;
2. Create a Protected Area Management Office with sufficient number of plantilla
appointed personnel to oversee all activities in the area;
3. It shall spearhead the development of the barren portion of the site through
enrichment planting or planting of indigenous species of trees, most probably the
pioneer species. Other portions with a large number of healthy wildlings or
residuals, Assisted Natural Regeneration shall be employed and the areas with
sufficient volume of trees, purely conservation and protection measures shall be
implemented;
4. Take the lead in the protection of the entire area through its Enforcement Unit; and
5. Take the lead in the creation of the PAMB representing all stakeholders to manage
the whole project.

The Local Government shall:

1. Assure the peace and order situation in the area;

2. Partake in the control and discipline of tourists;
3. Maintain the cleanliness of the site in line with the stipulations of RA 9003;
4. Assist in the development of the area through their ENR Offices;
5. Assist in the enforcement of Environmental Laws through the reactivation of their
Provincial and Municipal Multi Sectoral Forest Protection Committees; and
6. Assign a responsible official to be a member of the PAMB.

The project shall be implemented upon the issuance of a legislated order declaring the
site as a Protected Area under eNIPAS. It shall be jointly implemented by all concerned
agencies and stakeholders giving due consideration to the rights and claims of the
indigenous communities in the adjacent areas.

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 Pursuant to the Republic Act No. 7586 “National Integrated Protected Area
System (NIPAS) Act of 1992” as amended by Republic Act No. 11038 “Expanded
National Integrated Protected Areas System of 2018”, a Protected Area Management
Board (PAMB) shall be created as an initial component wherein a Protected Area
Management Office (PAMO) will be established to be headed by the Protected Area
Superintendent (PASU). Provisions of the board including the members, functions,
grounds among others are stated under Section 9 of this act.

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Maps
a. Land Cover Maps

2010 Land Cover Map

2015 Land Cover Map

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b. Elevation Map

c. Key Biodiversity Area

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d. Management Zone Map

e. Slope Map

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