Declaring Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Coastal Wetland in Barangay Batang, Sasmuan, Pampanga as Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area

DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-36

Subject: Declaring Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Coastal Wetland as Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area

Signed: November 23, 2021 . Published: December 10, 2021 . Acknowledged: ONAR, U.P. Law Center, December 10, 2021. Signing month is partly illegible in the source copy.

Legal Basis

Section 25 of RA 9147 (Wildlife Act), RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654 (Fisheries Code), RA 6969, Joint DENR-DA-PCSD AO No. 01 (2004), and DENR MC 2007-02 on critical habitats.

Designation

Establishes the Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (SBMCHEA), covering about 405.50 hectares of mangrove forest and mudflats in Barangay Batang 2nd, Sasmuan, Pampanga, subject to private rights and ground survey. The site supports threatened waterbirds including the Philippine duck, Black-faced spoonbill, Chinese egret, Far Eastern curlew, and Malaysian plover. NAMRIA and DENR Region 3 verify boundary coordinates within 90 days.

Management

• Co-managed by DENR Region 3 and the Municipality of Sasmuan under a MOA or partnership agreement. The RED may delegate management to the LGU with technical support.
• A Critical Habitat Management Plan, following BMB Technical Bulletin 2017-15 (Annex B outline), is due within 90 days and approved by the RED.
• BMB monitors management and plan implementation; DENR Region 3 reports annually to BMB and funds operations, with LGU and partner support encouraged.

Prohibited Acts

Under Section 27(c) of RA 9147, with penalties under Section 28: dumping of waste detrimental to wildlife, squatting or occupation, mineral exploration or extraction, burning, logging, and quarrying. Also enforced: illegal fishing, illegal fishponds, and dumping of hazardous waste under RA 9003, RA 6969, and RA 8550 as amended.

Effectivity

Takes effect 15 days after publication and ONAR acknowledgment.

Relevance: projects around northern Manila Bay, including reclamation, dredging, ports, and aquaculture, should screen for this critical habitat and its waterbird populations. Signed by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu. Summary prepared by EnviSynergy from the official DENR issuance; refer to the full text for binding provisions.