QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 542)
Executive Order No. 542 is issued by the President of the Philippines under constitutional authority. It creates the Task Force Pawikan to conserve marine turtles nearing depletion, enforce conservation rules, conduct investigations and information/extension work, and coordinate with international agencies.
Task Force Pawikan is created under the Office of the President.
It shall (a) enforce existing rules on marine turtles; (b) conduct field investigations for updated policy formulation on economic utilization; (c) conduct information and extension work to make people participative; (d) conduct socio-economic surveys to formulate substitute avocations and reduce pressure on turtle populations; and (e) coordinate with international agencies for marine turtle conservation.
A Task Force Pawikan Council is created and shall be chaired by the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources.
The Council, upon recommendation of the Chairman, appoints the Executive Officer responsible for the actual conduct of the Council’s activities in pursuit of the objectives stated in the executive order.
Representatives come from: Ministry of Natural Resources; National Economic Development Authority; Office of the Regional Coordinator, Southwestern Mindanao Region; Ministry of Local Government and Community Development; Ministry of Trade; Ministry of Cultural Minorities; Ministry of Education and Culture; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Public Information; National Media Production Center; University of the Philippines; Philippine Council for Agriculture Resources Research; Ministry of Human Settlements; and Forest Research Institute.
Under Section 3, Task Force Pawikan shall select, establish, and manage marine turtle sanctuaries exclusively for propagation and absolute protection of marine turtles.
The sanctuaries must be exclusively for the propagation and absolute protection of marine turtles.
P2,000,000.00 is set aside for the current year and annually thereafter for six years, out of the Special Activities Fund.
For a period of six years, covering the current year and annually thereafter for six years.
After six years from approval, the Council shall turn over the project, including all activities and resources, to the government agency it deems appropriate.
Section 1(a).
Section 1(c).
Section 1(d). The surveys are to be used as basis for formulating substitute avocations so people currently utilizing marine turtles can shift activities and ease pressure on turtle populations.
Under Section 1(e), Task Force Pawikan must coordinate with international agencies concerned with the conservation of marine turtles.
Section 6 provides that all laws, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the executive order are repealed or modified accordingly.
It takes effect immediately, as stated in Section 7.
It states that marine turtles are economically important but nearing total depletion; thus there is an urgent need for conservation and coordinated efforts to prevent loss of livelihood sources, especially for seafaring tribes and Muslims, and to help create substitute avocations for sustainability.