MANILA, April 4 -- Members of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change are eyeing to amend Republic Act No. 11038 or the "Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018" (E-NIPAS Act) to change the constitution of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), which is dominated by barangay chairpersons.

During the Senate panel's hearing Wednesday, Senator Cynthia Villar raised the issue of the constitution of the PAMB, and its role in formulating policies covering the country's protected areas.

In the case of Captain's Peak Garden and Resort in Sagbayan, Bohol, its construction was approved by the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument's PAMB in 2018 and later was issued a business permit by the...