Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 2590.)
The main purpose of Act No. 2590 is to protect game and fish in the Philippine Islands by regulating the hunting, possession, sale, and transport of protected birds, fish, shellfish, and mammals.
Protected birds include insect-eating birds, song birds, and generally all wild birds except eagles, hawks, owls, English sparrows, candangaho or garzas pardas (brown herons), crows, galancian, and mayas. Game birds are protected only during their close seasons.
The Secretary of the Interior has the authority, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, to establish close seasons for the specified game birds, fish, shellfish, and mammals except wild pig.
A close season may be established for any portion of each successive year or for any single period not exceeding five years.
General orders must be published in the Official Gazette once a week for three consecutive weeks at least two months before effectivity. Local orders must be published similarly in a local newspaper and posted at provincial and municipal buildings. The Secretary of the Interior must also use other means to publicize the order.
Any person of good repute aged fifteen years or older may be granted a one-year, non-transferable permit by the Secretary of the Interior to take specimens or nests or eggs of protected birds for scientific purposes only.
Yes. Residents and certain military personnel must pay a fee of two pesos, while nonresidents must pay twenty pesos to obtain a hunting license before hunting with a firearm.
The Chief of Constabulary issues hunting licenses with the Secretary of Commerce and Police's approval. Members of the Philippine Constabulary and municipal and township police serve as deputy game wardens with full enforcement authority.
Offenders forfeit both their hunting license and weapons, in addition to other penalties under the Act.
It is unlawful to lend a hunting license or firearm to another or to possess another's hunting license or firearm for hunting. Unlawful possession results in forfeiture of the license or firearm.
No. Wild pigs and birds commonly known as eagles, hawks, garzas pardas, owls, crows, English sparrows, galancian, and mayas may be taken or killed any time of the year.
It is unlawful to hunt protected birds or mammals using artificial light, swivel guns, or nets. Possession of a lantern while hunting at night is prima facie evidence of illegal intent.
It is unlawful to place or discharge petroleum, acid, coal tar, chemical wastes, or deleterious substances into Philippine waters that harm fish or plant life, except for retting specified fibers like maguey and sisal.
Yes. Actual residents in these areas may hunt and take game birds, mammals, and bird eggs for food without restriction on season, but cannot use artificial lights or sell game taken during close seasons.
Violators shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred pesos for each offense.