Section 5. Definition of Terms. —
The following terms are hereby defined for the purpose of this Act:
"Ancestral domain" refers to all lands and natural resources occupied or possessed by indigenous cultural communities, by themselves or through their ancestors, communally or individually, in accordance with their customs and traditions since time immemorial, continuously to the present except when interrupted by war, force majeure, or displacement by force, deceit or stealth. It includes all adjacent areas generally belonging to them and which are necessary to ensure their economic, social and cultural welfare.
"Indigenous cultural communities" shall refer to tribes, including but not limited to Higaonon, Talaandig and Bukidnon who have continuously lived as communities on communally bounded and defined land since time immemorial and have succeeded in preserving, maintaining and sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits.
"Nonrenewable resources" shall refer to those resources found within the PA and its buffer zones, the natural replenishment rate of which is either not known or takes more than twenty-five (25) years.
"Protected species" shall refer to any individual of the species Pithecophaga Jefferyi or of any species listed under the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), or any plant or animal that shall be declared as protected under Philippine laws, rules and regulations issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) or through management plan herein provided.
"Nongovernment organization" shall refer to any civic, development or philanthropic organization which is multi-sectoral in character.
"People's organization" shall refer to any grouping of people formed to advance the interests of the sector represented, provided such sector is marginalized, poor or disempowered.
"Public consultation" shall refer to a meeting dialogue with the concerned or affected individuals within and outside the PA designed to identify and resolve issues and problems affecting them.
"Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the DENR.