The Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) is a Protected Area (PA) established by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 442 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on April 13, 2003.

SINP covers 333.000 hectares of forests and an additional 125,400 hectares of buffer zone encompassing 36 municipalities and 1 city.

SINP seeks to conserve biodiversity in Samar Island, providing sustained ecological services and opportunities for equitable and sustainable development and avenues for stakeholder participation and empowerment on its management.

SINP is being managed by a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) - a multisectoral body composed of representatives of LGUs, NGAs, POs, NGOs and the DENR responsible for policy formulation and general administration of the Protected Area. PAMB policies and programs are carried out by the Protected Area Superintendent’s Office which is headed by a Protected Area Superintendent (PASu).

The following are the four major programs being implemented in the management of SINP:

• Biodiversity management program
• Community outreach program
• Community-based ecotourism program
• Stakeholder participation and management program

These management programs respond to issues and concerns pertaining to biophysical environment, socio-economic and cultural condition and institutional and management arrangements of SINP.