Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9147)
Republic Act No. 9147 is officially known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act."
The primary policy objective is to conserve the country's wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability, promoting ecological balance and biological diversity while regulating wildlife collection and trade.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has jurisdiction over terrestrial plant and animal species, turtles, tortoises, and wetland species, while the Department of Agriculture (DA) has jurisdiction over aquatic critical habitats and aquatic resources, excluding dugong. The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development has jurisdiction in Palawan.
‘Wildlife’ refers to wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna in all developmental stages, including those in captivity or being bred or propagated.
Collection must be authorized by the Secretary based on scientific data showing it is not detrimental to species survival or habitats, and must use techniques with least or no detrimental effects. Indigenous people may collect for traditional use but not for threatened species unless governed by Section 23.
Penalties include imprisonment from six years and one day to twelve years and/or a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) to One million pesos (₱1,000,000).
Threatened species is a general term for species considered critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or other accepted categories at risk of extinction, based on factors such as habitat destruction, over-utilization, and regulatory inadequacies.
The Secretary may allow bioprospecting upon compliance with terms protecting biological diversity, require prior informed consent from indigenous or local communities, and mandate consultation and disclosures from proponents, especially foreign entities.
Illegal acts include killing, collecting, trading, transporting wildlife without authorization, habitat destruction in critical habitats, introduction of exotic species without clearance, and use of inappropriate techniques that harm wildlife.
The Wildlife Management Fund is a special account in the National Treasury administered by the Department, used to finance habitat rehabilitation, scientific research, enforcement, monitoring, and capability enhancement of relevant agencies.
Applicants must prove effective breeding and captive management techniques and commit to conduct commercial breeding simultaneously with conservation breeding, following conditions set by the Secretary.
Owners must register their threatened and exotic wildlife within a period set by the Secretary, typically 12 months after the Act's effectivity. Failure to register subjects the species to confiscation in favor of the government.
Collection of threatened wildlife is allowed only for scientific, breeding, or propagation purposes by accredited individuals or entities.
The Secretary may deputize officers from NGOs, citizen groups, community organizations, volunteers, and government law enforcement agencies such as the PNP, AFP, and NBI who have undergone necessary training.