National Integrated Protected Areas System Act 1992 (Republic Act No. 7586 of 1992).

The system, abbreviated NIPAS shall encompass outstandingly remarkable areas and biologically important public lands that are habitats of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, biographic zones and related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland, or marine . All such areas shall be designed as protected areas) (sect. 2). Section 3 specifies the categories of protected areas: strict nature reserves, natural parks, natural monuments, wildlife sanctuary, protected landscapes and seascapes, resources reserves, natural biotic areas, and other categories established by Law. NIPAS means the classification and administration of all such protected areas to maintain biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of their resources, etc. (sect. 4). Section 4 defines also national park and all other categories specified in section 3. All existing protected areas specified in section 5 are declared to be initial components of NIPAS. Other measures of establishment of the system are outlined in section 5. There shall be a general management planning strategy to serve as guide for formulating individual plans for each protected area (sect. 9). Section 10 deals with administration and management of the system by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). For each of the protected areas a Protected Area Management Board shall be established. Activities proposed in protected areas that are excluded form the scope of the management plan for that area shall be subject to environmental impact assessment in accordance with section 12. Section 13 concerns the recognition of ancestral land rights and other customary rights in protected areas. Section 16 provides for the establishment of a Integrated Protected Areas Fund. Section 20 prohibits various activities in protected areas. (24 sections)