WILDLIFE RESOURCES CONSERVATION

AND PROTECTION ACT: ENSURING

ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY
Republic Act 9147
(source: KONGGRESO NG BAYAN, January 2002
Issue)

Approved by President Gloria MacapagalArroyo was an important legislative measure

geared towards ensuring environmental
sustainability. Originating in the House of
Representatives as HB 10622, filed by Rep.
J.R. Nereus O. Acosta, the Wildlife Resources
Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147)
aims to protect our countrys fauna from
illicit trade, abuse and destruction, through
(1) conserving and protecting wildlife species
and their habitats, (2) regulating the
collection and trade of wildlife, (3) pursuing,
with due regard to the national interest, the
Philippine commitment to international
conventions, protection of wildlife and their
habitats, and (4) initiating or supporting
scientific studies on the conservation of
biological diversity.
The provisions of this Act shall be
enforceable for all wildlife species found in all
areas of the country, including critical
habitats and protected areas under the
National Integrated Protected Areas System
(NIPAS) Act. Exotic species, or species which
do not naturally occur in the country, are
also covered by this Act. All designated
critical habitats shall be protected, in
coordination with the local government units
and other concerned groups, from any form
of exploitation or destruction which may be
detrimental to the survival of species
dependent upon these areas.

The introduction, reintroduction or restocking of endemic and indigenous wildlife

shall be allowed only for population
enhancement or recovery. Any introduction
shall be subject to a scientific study. The Act
also prohibits the introduction of exotic
species into protected areas and critical
habitats. If and when introduction is allowed,
it shall be subjected to environmental impact
assessment and the informed consent from
local stakeholders.
Conservation breeding or propagation of
threatened species shall be encouraged to
enhance its population in its natural habitat.
Breeding shall be done simultaneously with
the rehabilitation and protection of the
habitat where the captive-bred or
propagated species shall be released or
reintroduced. When economically important
species become threatened, collection shall
be limited to scientific, educational or
breeding purposes.
The Act makes it unlawful for any person to
undertake the following:
killing and destroying wildlife species, except
when it is done as part of the religious rituals
of established tribal groups or indigenous
cultural communities, when the wildlife is
afflicted with an incurable communicable
disease, when it is deemed necessary to put
an end to the misery suffered by the wildlife,
or when it is done to prevent an imminent
danger to the life or limb of a human being;
when the wildlife is killed or destroyed after
it has been used in authorized research or
experiments
inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs
the reproductive system of wildlife species

effecting any of the following acts in critical

habitats: dumping of waste products
detrimental to wildlife; squatting or
otherwise occupying any portion of the
critical habitat; mineral exploration and/or
extraction; burning; logging; and quarrying
introduction, reintroduction, or restocking of
wildlife resources
trading of wildlife
collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife,
their by-products and derivatives
gathering or destroying of active nests, nest
trees, host plants and the like
maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries
not covered by the preceding paragraph; and
transporting of wildlife.
For any person who undertakes these illegal
acts, stiff penalties and fines are meted out.
Imprisonment of as much as 12 years and a
fine of P1 million pesos shall be imposed, if
inflicted or undertaken against species listed
as critical.
A Wildlife Management Fund to be derived
from fines imposed and damages awarded,
fees, charges, donations, endowments,
administrative fees or grants, shall be
administered by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources as a
special account in the National Treasury. It
will be used primarily to finance
rehabilitation or restoration of habitats due
to violations of this Act. The Fund will also
support scientific research, enforcement and
monitoring activities, as well as
enhancement of capabilities of relevant

agencies.
With the approval of The Wildlife Resources
Conservation and Protection Act, Congress
continues its commitment to protect the
environment to ensure an economically and
ecologically sustainable future, following the
constitutional mandate of the State to
protect and advance the right of its people to
a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with rhythm and harmony of nature.
Download or print a copy of Republic Act
9147 in pdf:
http://www.bic.searca.org/resources/docs/ra
-9147.pdf
(source: Malacaang Records Office)