REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9147 SECTION 3. Scope of Application.

— The provisions of this Act shall be

enforceable for all wildlife species found in all areas of the country,
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF including protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise
WILDLIFE RESOURCES AND THEIR HABITATS, APPROPRIATING known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act,
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES and critical habitats. This Act shall also apply to exotic species which
are subject to trade, are cultured, maintained and/or bred in captivity or
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the propagated in the country.
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 4. Jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural
CHAPTER I Resources and the Department of Agriculture. — The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall have jurisdiction over
General Provisions all terrestrial plant and animal species, all turtles and tortoises and
wetland species, including but not limited to crocodiles, waterbirds and
SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Wildlife Resources all amphibians and dugong. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall
Conservation and Protection Act.” have jurisdiction over all declared aquatic critical habitats, all aquatic
resources, including but not limited to all fishes, aquatic plants,
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to invertebrates and all marine mammals, except dugong. The secretaries
conserve the country’s wildlife resources and their habitats for of the DENR and the DA shall review, and, by joint administrative order,
sustainability. In the pursuit of this policy, this Act shall have the revise and regularly update the list of species under their respective
following objectives: jurisdiction. In the Province of Palawan, jurisdiction herein conferred is
vested to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development pursuant to
(a) to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to Republic Act No. 7611.
promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity;
CHAPTER II
(b) to regulate the collection and trade of wildlife;
Definition of Terms
(c) to pursue, with due regard to the national interest, the Philippine
commitment to international conventions, protection of wildlife and SECTION 5. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the term:
their habitats; and
(a) “Bioprospecting” means the research, collection and utilization of
(d) to initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological and genetic resources for purposes of applying the
biological diversity. knowledge derived therefrom solely for commercial purposes;
(b) “By-product or derivatives” means any part taken or substance (k) “Export permit” refers to a permit authorizing an individual to bring
extracted from wildlife, in raw or in processed form. This includes out wildlife from the Philippines to any other country;
stuffed animals and herbarium specimens;
(l) “Gratuitous permit” means permit issued to any individual or entity
(c) “Captive-breeding/culture or propagation” means the process of engaged in noncommercial scientific or educational undertaking to
producing individuals under controlled conditions or with human collect wildlife;
interventions;
(m) “Habitat” means a place or environment where a species or
(d) “Collection or collecting” means the act of gathering or harvesting subspecies naturally occur or has naturally established its population;
wildlife, its by-products or derivatives;
(n) “Import permit” refers to a permit authorizing an individual to bring
(e) “Conservation” means preservation and sustainable utilization of in wildlife from another country;
wildlife, and/or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the
habitat; (o) “Indigenous wildlife” means species or subspecies of wildlife
naturally occurring or has naturally established population in the
(f) “Critically endangered species” refers to a species or subspecies that country;
is facing extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate
future; (p) “Introduction” means bringing species into the wild that is outside its
natural habitat;
(g) “Economically important species” means species which have actual
or potential value in trade or utilization for commercial purpose; (q) “Reexport permit” refers to a permit authorizing an individual to bring
out of the country a previously imported wildlife;
(h) “Endangered species” refers to species or subspecies that is not
critically endangered but whose survival in the wild is unlikely if the (r) “Secretary” means either or both the Secretary of the Department of
causal factors continue operating; Environment and Natural Resources and the Secretary of the
Department of Agriculture;
(i) “Endemic species” means species or subspecies which is naturally
occurring and found only within specific areas in the country; (s) “Threatened species” a general term to denote species or
subspecies considered as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable
(j) “Exotic species” means species or subspecies which do not naturally or other accepted categories of wildlife whose population is at risk of
occur in the country; extinction;
(t) “Trade” means the act of engaging in the exchange, exportation or ARTICLE ONE
importation, purchase or sale of wildlife, their derivatives or by-products,
locally or internationally; General Provision

(u) “Traditional use” means utilization of wildlife by indigenous people SECTION 6. Wildlife Information. — All activities, as subsequently
in accordance with written or unwritten rules, usage, customs and manifested under this Chapter, shall be authorized by the Secretary
practices traditionally observed, accepted and recognized by them; upon proper evaluation of best available information or scientific data
showing that the activity is, or for a purpose, not detrimental to the
(v) “Transport permit” means a permit issued authorizing an individual survival of the species or subspecies involved and/or their habitat. For
to bring wildlife from one place to another within the territorial this purpose, the Secretary shall regularly update wildlife information
jurisdiction of the Philippines; through research.

(w) “Vulnerable species” refers to species or subspecies that is not SECTION 7. Collection of Wildlife. — Collection of wildlife may be
critically endangered nor endangered but is under threat from adverse allowed in accordance with Section 6 of this Act: Provided, That in the
factors throughout their range and is likely to move to the endangered collection of wildlife, appropriate and acceptable wildlife collection
category in the near future; techniques with least or no detrimental effects to the existing wildlife
populations and their habitats shall, likewise, be required: Provided,
(x) “Wildlife” means wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all further, That collection of wildlife by indigenous people may be allowed
developmental stages, including those which are in captivity or are being for traditional use and not primarily for trade: Provided, furthermore,
bred or propagated; That collection and utilization for said purpose shall not cover
threatened species: Provided, finally, That Section 23 of this Act shall
(y) “Wildlife collector’s permit” means a permit to take or collect from govern the collection of threatened species.
the wild certain species and quantities of wildlife for commercial
purpose; and SECTION 8. Possession of Wildlife. — No person or entity shall be
allowed possession of wildlife unless such person or entity can prove
(z) “Wildlife farm/culture permit” means a permit to develop, operate financial and technical capability and facility to maintain said wildlife:
and maintain a wildlife breeding farm for conservation, trade and/or Provided, That the source was not obtained in violation of this Act.
scientific purposes.
SECTION 9. Collection and/or Possession of By-Products and
CHAPTER III Derivatives. — By-products and derivatives may be collected and/or
possessed: Provided, That the source was not obtained in violation of
Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources this Act.
SECTION 10. Local Transport of Wildlife, By-Products and Derivatives. be introduced. The proponent shall also be required to secure the prior
— Local transport of wildlife, by-products and derivatives collected or informed consent from the local stakeholders.
possessed through any other means shall be authorized unless the
same is prejudicial to the wildlife and public health. SECTION 14. Bioprospecting. — Bioprospecting shall be allowed upon
execution of an undertaking by any proponent, stipulating therein its
SECTION 11. Exportation and/or Importation of Wildlife. — Wildlife compliance with and commitment(s) to reasonable terms and
species may be exported to or imported from another country as may conditions that may be imposed by the Secretary which are necessary
be authorized by the Secretary or the designated representative, subject to protect biological diversity.
to strict compliance with the provisions of this Act and rules and
regulations promulgated pursuant thereto: Provided, That the recipient The Secretary or the authorized representative, in consultation with the
of the wildlife is technically and financially capable to maintain it. concerned agencies, before granting the necessary permit, shall require
that prior informed consent be obtained by the applicant from the
SECTION 12. Introduction, Reintroduction or Restocking of Endemic or concerned indigenous cultural communities, local communities,
Indigenous Wildlife. — The introduction, reintroduction or restocking of management board under Republic Act No. 7586 or private individual or
endemic and indigenous wildlife shall be allowed only for population entity. The applicant shall disclose fully the intent and scope of the
enhancement or recovery purposes subject to prior clearance from the bioprospecting activity in a language and process understandable to the
Secretary or the authorized representative pursuant to Section 6 of this community. The prior informed consent from the indigenous peoples
Act. shall be obtained in accordance with existing laws. The action on the
bioprospecting proposal by concerned bodies shall be made within a
Any proposed introduction shall be subject to a scientific study which reasonable period.
shall focus on the bioecology. The proponent shall also conduct public
consultations with concerned individuals or entities. Upon submission of the complete requirements, the Secretary shall act
on the research proposal within a reasonable period.
SECTION 13. Introduction of Exotic Wildlife. — No exotic species shall
be introduced into the country, unless a clearance from the Secretary or If the applicant is a foreign entity or individual, a local institution should
the authorized representative is first obtained. In no case shall exotic be actively involved in the research, collection and, whenever applicable
species be introduced into protected areas covered by Republic Act No. and appropriate, in the technological development of the products
7586 and to critical habitats under Section 25 hereof. derived from the biological and genetic resources.

In cases where introduction is allowed, it shall be subject to SECTION 15. Scientific Researches on Wildlife. — Collection and
environmental impact study which shall focus on the bioecology, utilization of biological resources for scientific research and not for
socioeconomic and related aspects of the area where the species will commercial purposes shall be allowed upon execution of an
undertaking/agreement with and issuance of a gratuitous permit by the recovering its numbers. For this purpose, the Secretary shall establish a
Secretary or the authorized representative: Provided, That prior schedule and volume of allowable harvests.
clearance from concerned bodies shall be secured before the issuance
of the gratuitous permit: Provided, further, That the last paragraph of Whenever an economically important species become threatened, any
Section 14 shall likewise apply. form of collection shall be prohibited except for scientific, educational
or breeding/propagation purposes, pursuant to the provisions of this
SECTION 16. Biosafety. — All activities dealing on genetic engineering Act.
and pathogenic organisms in the Philippines, as well as activities
requiring the importation, introduction; field release and breeding of SECTION 19. Designation of Management and Scientific Authorities for
organisms that are potentially harmful to man and the environment shall International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. —
be reviewed in accordance with the biosafety guidelines ensuring public For the implementation of international agreement on international
welfare and the protection and conservation of wildlife and their trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, the management
habitats. authorities for terrestrial and aquatic resources shall be the Protected
Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the DENR and the Bureau of
SECTION 17. Commercial Breeding or Propagation of Wildlife Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the DA, respectively and that
Resources. — Breeding or propagation of wildlife for commercial in the Province of Palawan the implementation hereof is vested to the
purposes shall be allowed by the Secretary or the authorized Palawan Council for Sustainable Development pursuant to Republic Act
representative pursuant to Section 6 through the issuance of wildlife No. 7611.
farm/culture permit: Provided, That only progenies of wildlife raised, as
well as unproductive parent stock shall be utilized for trade: Provided, To provide advice to the management authorities, there shall be
further, That commercial breeding operations for wildlife, whenever designated scientific authorities for terrestrial and aquatic/marine
appropriate, shall be subject to an environmental impact study. species. For the terrestrial species, the scientific authorities shall be the
Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) of the DENR,
SECTION 18. Economically Important Species. — The Secretary, within the U.P. Institute of Biological Sciences and the National Museum and
one (1) year after the effectivity of this Act, shall establish a list of other agencies as may be designated by the Secretary. For the marine
economically-important species. A population assessment of such and aquatic species, the scientific authorities shall be the BFAR, the U.P.
species shall be conducted within a reasonable period and shall be Marine Science Institute, U.P. Visayas, Silliman University and the
regularly reviewed and updated by the Secretary. National Museum and other agencies as may be designated by the
Secretary: Provided, That, in the case of terrestrial species, the ERDB
The collection of certain species shall only be allowed when the results shall chair the scientific authorities, and in the case of marine and
of the assessment show that, despite certain extent of collection, the aquatic species, the U.P. Marine Science Institute shall chair the
population of such species can still remain viable and capable of scientific authorities.
SECTION 20. Authority of the Secretary to Issue Permits. — The and revise the same accordingly, subject to consultation with concerned
Secretary or the duly authorized representative, in order to effectively sectors.
implement this Act, shall issue permits/certifications/clearances with
corresponding period of validity, whenever appropriate, which shall ARTICLE TWO
include but not limited to the following:
Protection of Threatened Species
(1) Wildlife farm or culture permit 3 to 5 years;
SECTION 22. Determination of Threatened Species. — The Secretary
(2) Wildlife collector’s permit 1 to 3 years; shall determine whether any wildlife species or subspecies is
threatened, and classify the same as critically endangered, endangered,
(3) Gratuitous permit 1 year; vulnerable or other accepted categories based on the best scientific
data and with due regard to internationally accepted criteria, including
(4) Local transport permit 1 to 3 months; and but not limited to the following.

(5) Export/Import/Reexport permit 1 to 6 months. (a) present or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of its
habitat or range;
These permits may be renewed subject to the guidelines issued by the
appropriate agency and upon consultation with concerned groups. (b) over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific or educational
purposes;
SECTION 21. Fees and Charges. — Reasonable fees and charges as may
be determined upon consultation with the concerned groups, and in the (c) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and
amount fixed by the Secretary shall be imposed for the issuance of
permits enumerated in the preceding section. (d) other natural or man-made factors affecting the existence of wildlife.

For the export of wildlife species, an export permit fee of not greater The Secretary shall review, revise and publish the list of categorized
than three percentum (3%) of the export value, excluding transport threatened wildlife within one (1) year after effectivity of this Act.
costs, shall be charged: Provided, however, That in the determination of Thereafter, the list shall be updated regularly or as the need arises:
aforesaid fee, the production costs shall be given due consideration. Provided, That a species listed as threatened shall not be removed
Cutflowers, leaves the like, produced from farms shall be exempted therefrom within three (3) years following its initial listing.
from the said export fee: Provided, further, that fees and charges shall
be reviewed by the Secretary every two (2) years or as the need arises Upon filing of a petition based on substantial scientific information of
any person seeking for the addition or deletion of a species from the list,
the Secretary shall evaluate in accordance with the relevant factors (b) Commitment to undertake commercial breeding in accordance with
stated in the first paragraph of this section, the status of the species Section 17 of this Act, simultaneous with conservation breeding.
concerned and act on said petition within a reasonable period.
The Secretary shall prepare a list of threatened species for commercial
The Secretary shall also prepare and publish a list of wildlife which breeding and shall regularly revise or update such list or as the need
resembles so closely in appearance with listed threatened wildlife, arises.
which species shall likewise be categorized as threatened.
SECTION 25. Establishment of Critical Habitats. — Within two (2) years
SECTION 23. Collection of Threatened Wildlife, By-Products and following the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall designate critical
Derivatives. — The collection of threatened wildlife, as determined and habitats outside protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586, where
listed pursuant to this Act, including its by-products and derivatives, threatened species are found. Such designation shall be made on the
shall be allowed only for scientific, or breeding or propagation purposes basis of the best scientific data taking into consideration species
in accordance with Section 6 of this Act: Provided, That only the endemicity and/or richness, presence of man-made pressures/threats
accredited individuals, business, research, educational or scientific to the survival of wildlife living in the area, among others.
entities shall be allowed to collect for conservation breeding or
propagation purposes. All designated critical habitats shall be protected, in coordination with
the local government units and other concerned groups, from any form
SECTION 24. Conservation Breeding or Propagation of Threatened of exploitation or destruction which may be detrimental to the survival
Species. — Conservation breeding or propagation of threatened species of the threatened species dependent therein. For such purpose, the
shall be encouraged in order to enhance its population in its natural Secretary may acquire, by purchase, donation or expropriation, lands, or
habitat. It shall be done simultaneously with the rehabilitation and/or interests therein, including the acquisition of usufruct, establishment of
protection of the habitat where the captive-bred or propagated species easements or other undertakings appropriate in protecting the critical
shall be released, reintroduced or restocked. habitat.

Commercial breeding or propagation of threatened species may be ARTICLE THREE

allowed provided that the following minimum requirements are met by
the applicant, to wit: Registration of Threatened and Exotic Species

(a) Proven effective breeding and captive management techniques of SECTION 26. Registration of Threatened and Exotic Wildlife in the
the species; and Possession of Private Persons. — No person or entity shall be allowed
possession of wildlife unless such person or entity can prove financial
and technical capability and facility to maintain said wildlife. Twelve (12)
months after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall set a period, (ii) when the wildlife is afflicted with an incurable communicable
within which persons/entities shall register all threatened species disease;
collected and exotic species imported prior to the effectivity of this Act.
However, when the threatened species is needed for (iii) when it is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by
breeding/propagation or research purposes, the State may acquire the the wildlife;
wildlife through a mutually acceptable arrangement.
(iv) when it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of
After the period set has elapsed, threatened wildlife possessed without a human being; and
certificate of registration shall be confiscated in favor of the
government, subject to the penalties herein provided. (v) when the wildlife is killed or destroyed after it has been used in
authorized research or experiments.
All Philippine wildlife which are not listed as threatened prior to the
effectivity of this Act but which may later become so, shall likewise be (b) inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive
registered during the period set after the publication of the updated list system of wildlife species;
of threatened species.
(c) effecting any of the following acts in critical habitat(s):
CHAPTER IV
(i) dumping of waste products detrimental to wildlife;
Illegal Acts
(ii) squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical habitat;
SECTION 27. Illegal Acts. — Unless otherwise allowed in accordance
with this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and knowingly (iii) mineral exploration and/or extraction;
exploit wildlife resources and their habitats, or undertake the following
acts: (iv) burning;

(a) killing and destroying wildlife species, except in the following (v) logging; and
instances;
(vi) quarrying
(i) when it is done as part of the religious rituals of established tribal
groups or indigenous cultural communities; (d) introduction, reintroduction or restocking of wildlife resources;

(e) trading of wildlife;

(f) collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and thousand pesos (P300,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against
derivatives; vulnerable species; ADEHTS

(g) gathering or destroying of active nests, nest trees, host plants and (d) imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or
the like; a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two hundred thousand
pesos (P200,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other threatened
(h) maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries not covered by the species; and
preceding paragraph; and
(e) imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year
(i) transporting of wildlife. and/or a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other
CHAPTER V wildlife species.

Fines and Penalties For illegal acts under paragraph (b) of the immediately preceding
section, the following penalties and/or fines shall be imposed:
SECTION 28. Penalties for Violations of this Act. — For any person who
undertakes illegal acts under paragraph (a) of the immediately (a) imprisonment of a minimum of four (4) years and one (1) day to six
preceding section to any species as may be categorized pursuant to this (6) years and/or a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Five
Act, the following penalties and/or fines shall be imposed: hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken
against species listed as critical;
(a) imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve
(12) years and/or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00) to (b) imprisonment of two (2)years and one (1) day to four (4) years
One million pesos (1,000,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against and/or a fine of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) to Two hundred
species listed as critical; thousand pesos (P200,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against
endangered species;
(b) imprisonment of four (4) years and one (1) day to six (6) years and/or
a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Five hundred thousand (c) imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or
pesos (P500,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against endangered a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two hundred thousand
species; pesos (P200,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against vulnerable
species;
(c) imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years
and/or a fine of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) to Three hundred
(d) imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year (d) imprisonment of one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months
and/or a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty thousand and/or a fine of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) to Fifty thousand pesos
pesos (P50,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other threatened (P50,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against species listed as other
species; and threatened species; and

(e) imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months and/or a fine of (e) imprisonment of ten (10) days to one (1) month and/or a fine of Two
Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos hundred pesos (P200.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), if
(P20,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species. inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.

For illegal acts under paragraphs (c) and (d) of the immediately For illegal acts under paragraphs (f) and (g) of the immediately
preceding section, an imprisonment of one (1) month to eight (8) years preceding section, the following penalties and/or fines shall be
and/or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Five million pesos imposed:
(P5,000,000.00) shall be imposed.
(a) imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years and
For illegal acts under paragraph (e), the following penalties and/or fines a fine of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) to Three hundred thousand
shall be imposed: pesos (P300,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against species listed as
critical;
(a) imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years
and/or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Three hundred (b) imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years and a
thousand pesos (P300,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two hundred thousand
species listed as critical; pesos (P200,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against endangered
species;
(b) imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or
a fine of Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to Two hundred thousand (c) imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year and
pesos (P200,000.00) if inflicted or undertaken against endangered a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to One hundred thousand
species; pesos (P100,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against vulnerable
species;
(c) imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year
and/or a fine of One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to One hundred (d) imprisonment of one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months
thousand pesos (P100,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against and a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Fifty thousand pesos
vulnerable species; (P50,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against species listed as other
threatened species; and
(e) imprisonment of ten (10) days to one (1) month and a fine of One (e) imprisonment of five (5) days to ten (10) days and a fine of Two
thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), if hundred pesos (P200.00) to One thousand pesos (P1,000.00), if inflicted
inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species: Provided, That in or undertaken against other wildlife species.
case of paragraph (f), where the acts were perpetuated through the
means of inappropriate techniques and devices, the maximum penalty All wildlife, its derivatives or by-products, and all paraphernalia, tools and
herein provided shall be imposed. conveyances used in connection with violations of this Act, shall be ipso
facto forfeited in favor of the government: Provided, That where the
For illegal acts under paragraphs (h) and (i) of the immediately ownership of the aforesaid conveyances belong to third persons who
preceding section, the following penalties and/or fines shall be has no participation in or knowledge of the illegal acts, the same may be
imposed: released to said owner. The apprehending agency shall immediately
cause the transfer of all wildlife that have been seized or recovered to
(a) imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year and the nearest Wildlife Rescue Center of the Department in the area.
a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to One hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against species listed as If the offender is an alien, he shall be deported after service of sentence
critical species; and payment of fines, without any further proceedings.

(b) imprisonment of three (3) months and one (1) day to six (6) months The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by at least ten percent
and a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Fifty thousand (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain
pesos (P50,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against endangered the deterrent function of such fines.
species;
CHAPTER VI
(c) imprisonment of one (1) month and one (1) day to three (3) months
and a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand Miscellaneous Provisions
pesos (P20,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against vulnerable
species; SECTION 29. Wildlife Management Fund. — There is hereby established
a Wildlife Management Fund to be administered by the Department as a
(d) imprisonment of ten (10) days to one (1) month and a fine of One special account in the National Treasury. It shall finance rehabilitation
thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) if or restoration of habitats affected by acts committed in violation of this
inflicted or undertaken against species listed as other threatened Act and support scientific research, enforcement and monitoring
species; activities, as well as enhancement of capabilities of relevant agencies.
The Fund shall derive from fines imposed and damages awarded, fees, SECTION 33. Creation of Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Units. — The
charges, donations, endowments, administrative fees or grants in the Secretary shall create wildlife traffic monitoring units in strategic air and
form of contributions. Contributions to the Fund shall be exempted from seaports all over the country to ensure the strict compliance and
donor taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the effective implementation of all existing wildlife laws, rules and
government. CDEaAI regulations, including pertinent international agreements.

SECTION 30. Deputation of Wildlife Enforcement Officers. — The Customs officers and/or other authorized government representatives
Secretary shall deputize wildlife enforcement officers from assigned at air or seaports who may have intercepted wildlife
nongovernment organizations, citizens groups, community commodities in the discharge of their official functions shall, prior to
organizations and other volunteers who have undergone the necessary further disposition thereof, secure a clearance from the wildlife traffic
training for this purpose. The Philippine National Police (PNP), the monitoring unit assigned in the area.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies shall designate SECTION 34. Exemption from Taxes. — Any donation, contribution,
wildlife enforcement officers. As such, the wildlife enforcement officers bequest, subsidy or financial aid which may be made to the Department
shall have the full authority to seize illegally traded wildlife and to arrest of Environment and Natural Resources or to the Department of
violators of this Act subject to existing laws, rules and regulations on Agriculture and to NGOs engaged in wildlife conservation duly
arrest and detention. registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as certified by
the local government unit, the Department of Environment and Natural
SECTION 31. Establishment of National Wildlife Research Centers. — Resources or the Department of Agriculture, for the conservation and
The Secretary shall establish national wildlife research centers for protection of wildlife resources and their habitats shall constitute as an
terrestrial and aquatic species to lead in the conduct of scientific allowable deduction from the taxable income of the donor and shall be
researches on the proper strategies for the conservation and protection exempt from donor’s tax.
of wildlife, including captive breeding or propagation. In this regard, the
Secretary shall encourage the participation of experts from SECTION 35. Flagship Species. — Local government units shall initiate
academic/research institutions and wildlife industry. conservation measures for endemic species in their areas. For this
purpose, they may adopt flagship species such as the Cebu black shama
SECTION 32. Wildlife Rescue Center. — The Secretary shall establish or (copsychus cebuensis), tamaraw (bubalus mindorensis) Philippine
designate wildlife rescue centers to take temporary custody and care of tarsier (tarsius syrichta), Philippine teak (tectona philippinensis), which
all confiscated, abandoned and/or donated wildlife to ensure their shall serve as emblems of conservation for the local government
welfare and well-being. The Secretary shall formulate guidelines for the concerned.
disposition of wildlife from the rescue centers.
SECTION 36. Botanical Gardens, Zoological Parks and Other Similar regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended
Establishments. — The Secretary shall regulate the establishment, accordingly.
operation and maintenance of botanical gardens, zoological parks and
other similar establishments for recreation, education and conservation. SECTION 41. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general
SECTION 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within twelve (12) circulation.
months following the effectivity of this Act, the secretaries of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department
of Agriculture, in coordination with the Committees on Environment and
Ecology of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively,
shall promulgate respective rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act. Whenever appropriate, coordination in the
preparation and implementation of rules and regulations on joint and
inseparable issues shall be done by both Departments. The
commitments of the State to international agreements and protocols
shall likewise be a consideration in the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 38. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to initially

implement the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the
appropriations of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources in the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such
sums as may be necessary to fully implement the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 39. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be

subsequently declared as unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the
validity or the legality of the other provisions.

SECTION 40. Repealing Clause. — Act Nos. 2590 and 3983,

Commonwealth Act No. 63, as amended, Presidential Decree No. 1219,
as amended, Republic Act No. 6147, and other laws, orders and