PROTECTED AREAS: Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, presides over a public hearing Wednesday, July 23, on the proposed Protected Areas Declaration Act of 2013 (Senate Bill No. 1901) and other related measures. Legarda noted that of the 113 areas in the country declared as protected under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, only 13 have proceeded to be legislated as such. Legarda said legislation for the remaining 100 protected areas must be approved to ensure improved conservation programs and appropriate funding. (PRIB Photo by Joseph Vidal/23 July 2014)