Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 55)
The Dugong or Sea Cow (Dugong dugon) is declared as a protected marine mammal under DENR Administrative Order No. 55, 1991.
The basic policy is to declare the Dugong or Sea Cow as a protected marine mammal of the Philippines. Killing, taking, destruction or disturbance of its habitat is prohibited except for scientific research.
Hunting, killing, wounding, taking away, possessing, transporting, and disposing of Dugong or Sea Cow, dead or alive, its meat or by-products, in violation of the Order, are prohibited.
Penalties include imprisonment from six (6) months to four (4) years or a fine ranging from Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) to Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00), or both, at the Court's discretion.
Penalties are pursuant to Section 38(d) of PD 704, the Philippine Fisheries Code, and DENR Administrative Order No. 38 series of 1991, as well as the Revised Penal Code.
Such items, including the catch, shall be confiscated in favor of the government as instruments and proceeds of the offense.
The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) through the Pawikan Conservation Project (PCP) leads the implementation, assisted by the Offices of the Undersecretary for Environment and Research and the Undersecretary for Field Operations.
PAWB is tasked to generate funds, implement a national conservation program, and coordinate with other agencies involved in marine resource management.
They shall be forfeited in favor of the DENR and can be given to any research institution as determined by the DENR.
The Order took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.