Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9147)
The title is "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act."
To conserve the country's wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability, promote ecological balance, regulate wildlife trade, comply with international commitments, and support scientific studies on biological diversity conservation.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has jurisdiction over terrestrial species, turtles, tortoises, wetland species, amphibians, and dugong; while the Department of Agriculture (DA) has jurisdiction over aquatic resources, including fishes, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and marine mammals except dugong.
It applies to all wildlife species found in the Philippines, including protected areas and critical habitats, as well as exotic species that are traded, cultured, maintained, or bred in captivity or propagated in the country.
Wildlife means wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all developmental stages, including those in captivity or bred or propagated.
Imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and/or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) to One million pesos (P1,000,000).
No, indigenous people may collect wildlife only for traditional use and not primarily for trade, and not for threatened species.
A clearance from the Secretary or authorized representative, an environmental impact study focused on bioecology, socioeconomic, and related aspects, and prior informed consent from local stakeholders; introduction into protected areas and critical habitats is prohibited.
It is a special fund administered by the Department to finance habitat rehabilitation, scientific research, enforcement, monitoring, and capability enhancement activities, derived from fines, fees, donations, and grants, exempted from donor taxes.
The threatened wildlife shall be confiscated in favor of the government, subject to penalties under this Act.
Commercial breeding is allowed only for progenies and unproductive parent stock, subject to environmental impact study when appropriate, and requires a wildlife farm/culture permit.
Bioprospecting requires execution of an undertaking ensuring compliance with conditions set by the Secretary, prior informed consent from indigenous and local communities, disclosure of intent and scope, involvement of a local institution if foreign, and prompt action on proposals by the Secretary.
Killing or destroying wildlife, injuring wildlife, harmful acts in critical habitats, introduction of species without clearance, trading, collection or possession without authorization, destruction of nests or host plants, maltreatment, and unauthorized transport of wildlife.
Fees are reviewed every two years or as needed; fines shall be increased by at least ten percent (10%) every three years to maintain deterrence and adjust for inflation.