Wildlife Management Fund.
SEC. 29. Wildlife Management Fund. — There is hereby established a Wildlife Management Fund to be administered by the Department as a special account in the National Treasury. It shall finance rehabilitation or restoration of habitats affected by acts committed in violation of this Act and support scientific research, enforcement and monitoring activities, as well as enhancement of capabilities of relevant agencies.
The Fund shall derive from fines imposed and damages awarded, fees, charges, donations, endowments, administrative fees or grants in the form of contributions. Contributions to the Fund shall be exempted from donor taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the government.
Deputation of Wildlife Enforcement Officers.
SEC. 30. Deputation of Wildlife Enforcement Officers. — The Secretary shall deputize wildlife enforcement officers from non government organizations, citizens groups, community organizations and other volunteers who have undergone the necessary training for this purpose. The Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies shall designate wildlife enforcement officers. As such, the wildlife enforcement officers shall have the full authority to seize illegally traded wildlife and to arrest violators of this Act subject to existing laws, rules and regulations on arrest and detention.
Establishment of National Wildlife Research Centers.
SEC. 31. Establishment of National Wildlife Research Centers. — The Secretary shall establish national wildlife research centers for terrestrial and aquatic species to lead in the conduct of scientific researches on the proper strategies for the conservation and protection of wildlife, including captive breeding or propagation. In this regard, the Secretary shall encourage the participation of experts from academic/research institutions and wildlife industry.
Wildlife Rescue Center.
SEC. 32. Wildlife Rescue Center. — The Secretary shall establish or designate wildlife rescue centers to take temporary custody and care of all confiscated, abandoned and/or donated wildlife to ensure their welfare and well-being. The Secretary shall formulate guidelines for the disposition of wildlife from the rescue centers.
Creation of Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Units.
SEC. 33. Creation of Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Units. — The Secretary shall create wildlife traffic monitoring units in strategic air and seaports all over the country to ensure the strict compliance and effective implementation of all existing wildlife laws, rules and regulations, including pertinent international agreements. Customs officers and/or other authorized government representatives assigned at air or seaports who may have intercepted wildlife commodities in the discharge of their official functions shall, prior to further disposition thereof, secure a clearance from the wildlife traffic monitoring unit assigned in the area.
Exemption from Taxes.
SEC. 34. Exemption from Taxes. — Any donation, contribution, bequest, subsidy or financial aid which may be made to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or to the Department of Agriculture and to NGOs engaged in wildlife conservation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as certified by the local government unit, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or the Department of Agriculture, for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats shall constitute as an allowable deduction from the taxable income of the donor and shall be exempt from donor's tax.
Flagship Species.
SEC. 35. Flagship Species. — Local government units shall initiate conservation measures for endemic species in their areas. For this purpose, they may adopt flagship species such as the Cebu black shama (copsychus cebuensis), tamaraw (bubalus mindorensis), Philippine tarsier (tarsius syrichta), Philippine teak (tectona philippinensis), which shall serve as emblems of conservation for the local government concerned.
Botanical Gardens, Zoological Parks and Other Similar Establishments.
SEC. 36. Botanical Gardens, Zoological Parks and Other Similar Establishments. — The Secretary shall regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of botanical gardens, zoological parks and other similar establishments for recreation, education and conservation.
Implementing Rules and Regulations.
SEC. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within twelve (12) months following the effectivity of this Act, the secretaries of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, shall promulgate respective rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. Whenever appropriate, coordination in the preparation and implementation of rules and regulations on joint and inseparable issues shall be done by both Departments. The commitments of the State to international agreements and protocols shall likewise be a consideration in the implementation of this Act.
Appropriations.
SEC. 38. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to initially implement the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to fully implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Separability Clause.
SEC. 39. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be subsequently declared as unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity or the legality of the other provisions.
Repealing Clause.
SEC. 40. Repealing Clause. — Act Nos. 2590 and 3983, Commonwealth Act No. 63, as amended, Presidential Decree No. 1219, as amended, Republic Act No. 6147, and other laws, orders and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity.
SEC. 41. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL JR.
(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 10622 and Senate
Bill No. 2128 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and
the Senate on February 8, 2001 and March 20, 2001, respectively.
(Sgd.) LUTGARDO B. BARBO
(Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Secretary of the Senate
Secretary of the House of Representatives
Approved: JUL 30 2001
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
