Section 19. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 7586 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 21. Penalties.— Violations under this Act shall be subject to the following penalties:

“(a) A fine of not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) but not more than One million pesos (₱1,000,000) or imprisonment from one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, or both, plus damages of triple the value of the said resources, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who violates paragraphs (a) to (e) of Section 20 herein;

“(b) A fine of not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) but not more than One million pesos (₱1,000,000) or imprisonment from one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who violates paragraphs (f) to (n) of Section 20 herein;

“(c) A fine of not less than One million pesos (₱1,000,000) but not more than Five million pesos (₱5,000,000) or imprisonment from six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) years, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who violates paragraphs (o) to (v) of Section 20 herein;

“(d) A fine of Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000) daily shall be imposed on the owner of existing facilities within a protected area under Section 24 of this Act, if the existence of the same and its future plans and operations will be detrimental to the protected area. For every continuing violation, or if the violation continues to be committed for thirty (30) days and upon reaching a total fine of Five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000), the PAMB through the PASU and other deputized government entities, shall cause the cessation of operation and either forfeit in favor of the PAMO or demolish the facility at the cost of its owner. If the facility is government-owned, the agency in charge shall submit a plan for a substitute facility that complies with the protected area standards and, within one (1) year, execute the approved protected area management plan;

“(e) Administrative fines of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000), but not exceeding Five million pesos (₱5,000,000), shall be imposed by the DENR Secretary for the violation of any rule, regulation, or provision of any agreement reached with the PAMB: Provided, That if an area which has sustained damage from any activity conducted therein requires rehabilitation or restoration as determined by the court, the offender shall be required to restore or pay compensation for such damages, which payment shall accrue to the IPAF.

“On the basis of a court order, the DENR shall cause the eviction of an offender from the protected area: Provided, That in cases of emergency, the DENR Secretary may order the immediate exit or departure of the offender from the protected area. The DENR Secretary may call on other enforcement agencies to assist in executing the order to vacate.

“An emergency occurs when there is a demonstrated impending threat to human life and biodiversity or to species found within the ecosystem of the protected area.

“All minerals, timber or species collected or removed from the protected area, including all equipment, devices, conveyances, and firearms used in connection therewith, shall be forfeited in favor of the government, and any construction or improvement made thereon by the offender shall be subject to confiscation by the PAMO, subject to the application of due process.

“The conveyances, vessels, equipment, paraphernalia, implements, gears, tools, and similar devices used in the commission of the crime shall be dealt with in accordance with Part 4, Rule 12 (Custody and Disposition of Seized Items, Equipment, Paraphernalia, Conveyances and Instruments) of Administrative Matter No. 09-6-8-SC (Rules of Procedures for Environmental Cases) issued by the Supreme Court. However, in no case shall any confiscated or rescued protected animal species be sold or in any manner disposed of but shall be immediately turned over to the PAMO for rehabilitation and release to its natural habitat, subject to existing regulations. Valuation of the damage shall take into account biodiversity and conservation considerations as well as aesthetic and scenic value. The valuation and assessment by the DENR, in coordination with other concerned government agencies, shall be presumed regular, unless otherwise proven by preponderance of evidence.

“If the offender is an association or corporation, the president or manager, who is proven to have participated in or have actual knowledge of any violation against the provisions of this Act shall be directly liable for the act of the employees and laborers: Provided, finally, That the DENR may impose administrative fines and penalties consistent with this Act.

“Any person who shall induce another or conspire to commit any of the acts prohibited in this Act, or force their workers to commit any of the same, shall be liable as principal.

“The penalties specified in this section shall be in addition to the penalties provided in Republic Act No. 9072 or the “National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act”, Republic Act No. 9147 or the ‘Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act’, Republic Act No. 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998’ and other related laws.

“The conviction of a public officer or officer of the law whether from the LGU or any national government agency for any violation of the provisions of this Act shall carry the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.”