SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ) Second Regular Session ) SENATE S. B. NO. 2580 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROTECTING AND STRENGTHENING THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY CONSERVED AREAS, RECOGNIZING THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL ICCA REGISTRY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Indigenous peoples communities have always played an important role in the conservation and preservation of the country's protected areas. Known as indigenous community conserved areas (ICCAs), these are "areas within ancestral domains including lakes, coastal seas, forests and watersheds imbued with deep spiritual and cultural values for indigenous peoples. A good example of an ICCA is the ancestral domain of the Tagbanuas in the island of Coron in Northeastern Palawan. It has been said that only traditional fishing is allowed in its ancestral waters considering that these are held sacred by the Tagbanuas. It is about time that the national government give due importance and recognition to the indigenous communities and consider them as partners in the conservation of the country's protected areas falling within their ancestral domains. For these reasons, passage of this measure is earnestly sought. ~:-::;'--"'~. ~...= .' LOltEN LEGARDA Senator