Scope of Application
- Applies to all wildlife species in the Philippines including protected areas and critical habitats.
- Covers indigenous and exotic species cultured, traded, or maintained.
Departmental Jurisdiction
- DENR manages terrestrial plants/animals, turtles, wetland species.
- DA oversees aquatic habitats/resources except dugong.
- Palawan Council for Sustainable Development holds jurisdiction in Palawan.
Definitions
- Provides comprehensive definitions for key terms such as bioprospecting, captive-breeding, threatened species categories, permits, wildlife trade, and others.
Wildlife Conservation and Management
- Activities affecting wildlife require Secretary's authorization based on scientific data.
- Wildlife collection permitted with minimal environmental impact; indigenous people exempted for traditional non-commercial use except for threatened species.
- Possession requires proof of capability and lawful source.
- Regulates local transport, export, import, and introduction of wildlife with permits.
- Exotic species introduction restricted, requiring environmental studies and stakeholder consent.
- Bioprospecting governed by strict consent and benefit-sharing rules.
- Scientific research permitted under agreements and permits.
- Biosafety compliance required for genetic engineering and hazardous organisms.
- Commercial breeding regulated, only progeny or unproductive stock may be traded.
- Economically important species subject to population assessments and harvest limits.
- International trade overseen by designated authorities for terrestrial and aquatic species.
- Secretary empowered to issue various permits with prescribed validity periods.
- Imposes fees for permits, including export permit fees with exemptions.
Protection of Threatened Species
- Secretary classifies threatened species with periodic review; changes require scientific evaluation.
- Threatened wildlife collection limited to scientific, breeding or propagation purposes by accredited entities.
- Conservation breeding encouraged; commercial breeding allowed under strict conditions.
- Critical habitats outside protected areas to be designated and protected; land acquisition allowed for protection.
Registration of Possessed Species
- Mandatory registration of threatened and exotic wildlife possessed prior to law's effectivity.
- Unregistered threatened species subject to confiscation.
Illegal Acts
- Prohibits unlawful killing, injury, habitat destruction, unauthorized collection, trade, and transport of wildlife.
- Specifies exceptions for killing (e.g., cultural rituals, disease control, human safety).
- Outlaws damaging activities in critical habitats.
Penalties
- Graduated penalties with imprisonment terms and fines based on the species' threat level.
- Confiscation of wildlife and tools used in violations.
- Alien offenders subject to deportation post-penalty.
- Fine amounts adjusted every three years for inflation.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Establishes Wildlife Management Fund sourced from fines, fees, and donations for conservation works.
- Deputation of wildlife enforcement officers from NGOs and police agencies empowered to enforce law.
- Mandates establishment of national wildlife research and rescue centers.
- Creates wildlife traffic monitoring units at ports for enforcement.
- Tax exemptions for donations supporting wildlife conservation.
- Encourages local governments to adopt flagship species for conservation focus.
- Regulates botanical and zoological establishments.
- Requires agencies to promulgate implementing rules and regulations within 12 months.
- Provides for funding provisions and tax adjustments.
- Repeals inconsistent prior laws.
- Contains severability and effectivity clauses ensuring continued validity despite potential legal challenges.