Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2008-08)
The primary policy is to promote sustainable development through the conservation and sustainable utilization of the country's biological diversity, particularly by strengthening measures to prevent loss of Philippine plant diversity and promoting self-regulation of the floriculture industry.
This Order covers individuals, establishments, or institutions including community-based organizations engaged in the artificial propagation and trade of endemic/indigenous and economically important wild flora, and CITES-listed plants. Botanical gardens established for propagation and trade are also covered.
Accreditation is the process by which the DENR gives formal recognition through issuance of a Certificate to individuals, establishments, or institutions including community-based organizations that carry out sustainable practices on propagation and trade of endemic/indigenous flora and CITES-listed plants upon recommendation of the Philippine Wild Flora Council (PWC).
The PWC formulates policies for accreditation, evaluates applications, maintains inventory of plant stocks, assists in monitoring, reports non-compliance to DENR, submits reports, and formulates internal rules and standard operating procedures.
Members include representatives from the floriculture industry with at least three years of conservation track record, a government academic institution representative with a botanical science background, and a national environmental NGO representative involved in plant conservation programs for at least six months.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens of legal age with capacity to contract or registered Filipino-owned entities engaging in artificial propagation and trade of endemic/indigenous wild flora included in the national list of threatened plant species.
Applications with complete documents must be submitted to the PWC or DENR office, evaluated within one month, followed by inspection within 15 days after evaluation, then PWC decides by majority vote, and upon approval, the DENR Regional Executive Director issues a Certificate of Accreditation valid initially for three years, renewable annually.
They must comply with terms of accreditation, pay fees, maintain proper propagation facilities, keep labeled plant inventories, issue properly verified receipts for sales acting as local transport permits, secure CITES permits for export/import, keep transaction records, notify DENR of operational changes, ensure plant survival in transit, and submit reports to the PWC and DENR.
Suspension can result from violations of terms and conditions such as misconduct or abuse of authority. Cancellation occurs due to misrepresentation, falsification, illegal collection or trade of wild plants, repeated violations, possession of unpermitted wild plants, or commission of illegal acts under R.A. 9147, and carries perpetual disqualification from permits.
Violations shall be punished administratively and criminally in accordance with pertinent laws and rules. Suspension or cancellation of accreditation and perpetual disqualification from permits are also applicable sanctions.