Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society
- Biodiversity stewardship is a shared responsibility involving government, private sector, civil society, and local communities.
- Government agencies to collaborate with non-governmental entities to incorporate biodiversity goals into programs.
- Biodiversity conservation to be institutionalized as a principal corporate environmental responsibility.
- Public participation, particularly at the local level, is encouraged to optimize conservation efforts and community benefits.
Guidelines on Critical Habitats and Key Biodiversity Areas
- DENR tasked with promulgating rules for establishing and managing critical habitats within key biodiversity areas.
- Critical habitats are areas important for threatened, limited-range, and congregatory species.
- Biodiversity impact assessments are to be integrated into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA).
- Compliance with United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity guidelines is required.
- Rules and guidelines to be issued within 60 days of the Order's effectivity.
Presidential Commission for Integrated Conservation and Development of Sulu Celebes Seas
- DENR chairs the Commission created under Proclamation No. 1028.
- Immediate tasks include reviewing/updating the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecosystem (SSME) conservation plan.
- Creation of an Ad Hoc Task Force on Verde Island Passage for its conservation.
- Identification and conservation planning for other urgent marine biodiversity corridors within SSME.
- Task Force comprises multiple government departments and local government units.
- Collaborative planning with stakeholders including private sector and communities.
- Verde Island Passage Management Plan to address marine biodiversity protection, integrated coastal management, and disaster risk management.
- Plan to be finalized within 120 days of the Order’s effectivity.
Funding Provisions
- Starting 2008, budgetary requirements for implementing the conservation plan to be included in the General Appropriations Bill.
- Member agencies of the Presidential Commission and Task Force must support activities via agreements and resource sharing.
Repeal Clause
- All inconsistent executive orders, rules, and regulations are revoked, amended, or modified to conform with this Order.
Separability Clause
- If any part of the Order is declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions remain effective if they can stand independently.
Effectivity
- The Order takes effect fifteen days after its publication in a nationally circulated newspaper.