Designation of Water Quality Management Area within Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape and Creation of Its Governing Board

DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-05

Subject: Designation of Water Quality Management Area within Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape and Creation of Its Governing Board

Signed: January 13, 2025 . Published: Daily Tribune, April 16, 2025 . Acknowledged: ONAR, U.P. Law Center, April 25, 2025

Legal Basis

Section 5 of RA 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004) and its IRR (DAO 2005-10); RA 7586 (NIPAS Act) as amended by RA 11038 and its IRR (DAO 2019-05); and DMC 2009-15.

SECTION 2. Objectives

• Achieve and maintain acceptable water quality consistent with DAO 2016-08 (Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards).
• Provide processes for preventing and abating pollution across SIPLAS marine, wetland, and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Keep SIPLAS among the leading ecotourism destinations, supporting surfing, game fishing, bathing, marine food production, and sustainable tourism.
• Promote inter-LGU and stakeholder collaboration, and provide monitoring reports to the SIPLAS Protected Area Management Office for the Protected Area Management Plan.

SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage

The WQMA covers the marine, wetland, and terrestrial ecosystems within the SIPLAS boundary, delineated by 11 corner coordinates (Annex A map). Its area, as provided in RA 11038, is 283,974.77 hectares; the WQMA focuses on water quality management.

SECTION 5. Political Jurisdiction

Municipalities of General Luna, Dapa, Del Carmen, Pilar, San Isidro, San Benito, Santa Monica, Burgos, and Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

SECTION 6. WQMA Governing Board

Chaired by the Regional Director of EMB Caraga and co-chaired by the SIPLAS Protected Area Superintendent. Members include the NWRB Executive Director, the Governor of Surigao del Norte, the Caraga RDC Chairperson, the mayors of the nine municipalities, a Punong Barangay representative, Caraga offices of national agencies (DOT, Philippine Coast Guard, DA, DILG, NEDA, DPWH, DOH, DTI, DOST, BFAR, NIA, DepEd, PIA), representatives of business, water utilities, academe, and environmental NGOs and people's organizations, and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils.

SECTION 7. Functions of the Governing Board

• Harmonize policies and local legislation for RA 9275 implementation.
• Review the initial WQMA Action Plan prepared by EMB Caraga and prepare succeeding plans.
• Assist LGUs with compliance schemes and ordinances, including septage and solid waste management.
• Manage the Area Water Quality Management Fund and publish a regular Water Quality Status Report, copy furnished to the PAMB.

Supporting Structures

The Board may create Executive, Health and Environment, Infrastructure Development, Community Affairs and Development, and Fund committees, and meets quarterly. A four-member Technical Secretariat at EMB Caraga, a Technical Working Group, and a Multi-Sectoral Group for monitoring and surveillance support the Board.

SECTION 17. Effectivity

Takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and upon acknowledgement by ONAR.

Signed by Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga. Summary prepared by EnviSynergy from the official DENR issuance; refer to the full text for binding provisions.