Law Summary
Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society
- Biodiversity conservation is a shared responsibility involving private sector, civil society, and communities.
- Government agencies, led by DENR, shall actively collaborate with these sectors.
- Biodiversity conservation should be institutionalized as a corporate environmental responsibility.
- Public participation, especially at the local level, is encouraged to enhance conservation benefits.
Guidelines on Critical Habitats and Key Biodiversity Areas
- DENR will formulate rules and guidelines defining "critical habitats" within key biodiversity areas.
- These habitats are vital for the survival of threatened, restricted-range, and congregatory species.
- Biodiversity impact assessments should be integrated into Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Risk Assessments.
- These measures align with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Rules and guidelines must be promulgated within sixty days from the effectivity of the Executive Order.
Presidential Commission for Integrated Conservation and Development of the Sulu Celebes Seas
- DENR chairs the Presidential Commission responsible for conservation of Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecosystem (SSME).
- Immediate tasks include:
- Reviewing and updating the SSME conservation plan.
- Creating an Ad Hoc Task Force focused on the Verde Island Passage marine corridor.
- Identifying other marine biodiversity corridors needing urgent conservation.
- The Task Force includes multiple government agencies and local governments and shall prepare the Verde Island Passage Management Plan with stakeholder input.
- The plan must incorporate existing marine conservation efforts, Integrated Coastal Management, and disaster risk assessment.
- The final plan is to be submitted to the Commission within 120 days.
Funding
- Funding requirements starting in 2008 are to be included annually in the General Appropriations Bill submitted to Congress.
- Member departments of the Commission and Task Force must provide full support, including financial and technical resources.
Repeal Clause
- All prior executive issuances inconsistent with this Order are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional, it shall not affect the validity of the other provisions provided they remain operational.
Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes effect fifteen days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.