Training/Orientation for the Deputation of Environment and Natural Resources Officers (DENROs) AVR Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos

Training/Orientation for the Deputation of Environment and Natural Resources Officers

(DENROs)

AVR Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos Baguio District, Calinan, Davao City

13 February 2014

Jose E. Lechoncito, Jr. Ecosystems Mgt Specialist II

Chief, Wildlife Section

Republic Act No. 9147“Wildlife Resources

Conservation and Protection Act” dated 30 July 2001

OBJECTIVES:To conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity;

Republic Act No. 9147“Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act” dated 30 July 2001

OBJECTIVES:To regulate the collection and trade of wildlife;

To pursue, with due regard to the national interest, the Philippine commitment to international conventions, protection of wildlife and habitats; and

To initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity.

Republic Act No. 9147….

SCOPE:The Act covers all wildlife species found in

all areas of the country, including protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, and critical habitats. It shall also apply to exotic species which are subject to trade, are cultured, maintained and/or bred in captivity or propagated in the country.

JurisdictionDepartment of Environment & Natural

Resources

1. Terrestrial Plant and Animal species;2. Turtles (freshwater & sea) and Tortoises;3. Wetland species, including but not

limited to crocodiles; 4. Waterbirds; 5. Amphibians; 6. Dugong

Jurisdiction

Department of Agriculture (DA)

1. Declared aquatic critical habitats;2. All aquatic resources, including

but not limited to fishes, aquatic plants, invertibrates and all marine mammals

Jurisdiction

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD)

Wildlife in the Province of Palawan pursuant to R.A. No. 7611 (Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan)

Wildlife

wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in ALL developmental stages (eggs, pupae, seedlings), including those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated.

Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources

A. Collection of WildlifeUse of appropriate & acceptable wildlife collection techniques;Least or no detrimental effects to existing wildlife population & their habitat;Indigenous people – for traditional use, not for trade and shall not cover threatened species.


B. Possession of Wildlifeperson or entity must prove financial & technical capability and facility;obtained from legal source.

C. Collection and/or Possession of By-products and derivativesobtained from legal source


D. Local Transport of Wildlife, By-products and derivativesshall be authorized unless prejudicial to the wildlife and public health

E. Exportation and/or Importation of Wildlifesubject to strict compliance with law, rules & regulationsrecipient is technically & financially capable to maintain it


F. Introduction, Reintroduction or Restocking of Endemic or Indigenous Wildlife

only for population enhancement;subject to prior clearance from Sec/Council;subject to a scientific study (bioecology);conduct of public consultations.


G. Introduction of Exotic Wildlife

clearance from the Sec/Council;not in protected areas & critical habitats;subject to environmental impact study focusing on bioecology, socioeconomic and related aspects of the area;Secure consent from local stakeholders.


H. Bioprospectingmeans the research, collection and utilization of biological & genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived therefrom solely for commercial purposes;


Requirements:• execution of undertaking;• prior informed consent from

concerned sector;• If applicant is a foreign entity or

individual, active involvement of a local institution in the research, collection & technological development.


Economically Important Speciesestablish a list of economicaly important species including a schedule & volume of allowable harvest;conduct of population assessment;When the species become threatened, allowed only for scientific, educational or breeding/propagation purpose.

Protection of Threatened Species

Collection• only for scientific, breeding or

propagation purposes;• only accredited individuals,

business, research, educational or scientific entitiesThreatened and Exotic wildlife in the possession of private persons must be registered.

Protection of Threatened Species

Conservation breeding or Propagationshall be encouraged to enhance population in its natural habitat; shall be done simultaneously with the rehabilitation and/or protection of the habitat where captive-bred or propagated species shall be released, reintroduced or restocked;preparation of list of threatened species for commercial breeding.

III. Commercial Breeding of Threatened Species

Minimum requirements:a. Proven effective breeding & captive

management techniques of the species;

b. Commitment to undertake commercial breeding in accordance with section 17 (issuance of wildlife farm/culture permit, only progenies raised, unproductive parent stock shall be utilized for trade, subject to environmental impact study)

IV. Establishment of Critical Habitats

Designation outside the protected area where species are found;On the basis of best scientific data (endemicity/ richness, man-made pressures/threats, etc.);Protection from exploitation or destruction;Coordination with LGU & other concerned groups;Acquisition of area by purchase, donation or expropriation, including usufruct, easement.

Permits/Certifications/Clearances

Kind Period of validity

1. Wildlife farm or 3-5 yearsCulture permit

2. Wildlife collector’s permit 1-3 years3. Gratuitous permit

1year4. Local transport permit 1-3

months5. Export/Import/Reexport 1-6

monthsPermit

Management Authorities(section 19)

A. Terrestrial resourcesDENR-Protected Areas & Wildlife Bureau(PAWB)

B. Aquatic ResourcesDA-Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

C. PCSD for Palawan

Scientific Authorities(section 19)

A. Terrestrial SpeciesDENR-Ecosystems Research & Development Bureau (ERDB), UP Institute of Biological Sciences, National Museum, other agency designated by the Sec.

B. Marine & Aquatic SpeciesBFAR, UP Marine Science Institute, UP Visayas, Siliman University, National Museum, other agency designated by Sec.

PROHIBITED ACTS

Unless otherwise allowed in accordance with this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and knowingly exploit wildlife resource and their habitat or undertake the following acts:

Turned-over Monitor Lizard from Central 911

a. Killing and destroying wildlife species, except in the following instances;

i. When it is done as part of the religious rituals of established tribal groups or indigenous cultural communities;

iii. When it is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the wildlife.

ii. when the wildlife is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease.

iv. When it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of human being; and

v. When the wildlife is killed or destroyed after it has been used in authorized research or experiments

b. Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of wildlife species;

c. Effecting any of the following acts in critical habitat(s);

i. dumping of waste products detrimental to wildlife;

ii. squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical habitat;

iii. mineral explorations and/or extraction;

iv. burning;

v. logging; and

vi. quarrying;

d. introduction, reintroduction or restocking of wildlife resource;

e. trading of wildlife; f. collecting, hunting

or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives;

g. gathering or destroying of active nest, nest trees, host plant and the like;

h. maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries not covered by the preceding paragraph; and;

i. transporting of wildlife;

Fines and Penalties

A. Killing and Destroying (a)

critical, endangered, vulnerable, threatened, other wildlife species;Imprisonment from 6-mos to 12-years;Fine ranging from P10k to P1M.

Fines and Penalties

B. Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system (b)

critical, endangered, vulnerable, threatened, other wildlife species;Imprisonment from 1-mos to 6-years;Fine ranging from P5k to P500k.

Fines and Penalties

C. Effecting acts (dumping waste, squatting, mineral exploration, burning, logging & quarrying)Introduction, reintroduction or restocking

Imprisonment of 1-mo. to 8-yrs.;Fine of P5k to P5M.

Fines and Penalties

D. Trading of wildlife (e)

critical, endangered, vulnerable, threatened, other wildlife species;Imprisonment from 10-days to 4-years;Fine ranging from P200 to P300k.

Fines and Penalties

E. Collecting, Hunting or Possessing (f)Gathering or Destroying of active nest (g)critical, endangered, vulnerable, threatened, other wildlife species;Imprisonment from 10-days to 4-years;Fine ranging from P1k to P300k;(f) if perpetuated thru inappropriate techniques/device, impose max. penalty

Fines and Penalties

F. Maltreating and/or Inflicting other injuriesTransporting

critical, endangered, vulnerable, threatened, other wildlife species;Imprisonment from 5-days to 1-year;Fine ranging from P200 to P100k.

Fines and Penalties

All wildlife, derivatives or by-products and all paraphernalia, tools and conveyances used shall be ipso facto forfeited in favor of the government;

If the offender is an alien, he shall be deported after service of sentence & payment of fines.

Deputation of Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEO)

NGO, Citizen’s group, Community Orgs, other volunteers who underwent training;Designation of WEO from PNP, AFP, NBI and other law enforcement agencies;WEOs have full authority to seize illegally traded wildlife, arrest violators of this Act.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Creation of Wildlife Monitoring Unit in strategic air and sea ports;Establishment of Wildlife Management Fund;Establishment of National Wildlife Research Centers and Rescue Centers;LGU to initiate conservation measures for endemic species & adopt flagship species as emblems of conservation.

What is CITES?CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Documents

Training/Orientation for the Deputation of Environment and Natural Resources Officers (DENROs) AVR Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos