Philippine Biodiversity Laws

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586

  AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM,
DEFINING ITS SCOPE AND COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1.          Title - This Act shall be known and referred to as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992".

SECTION 2.          Declaration of Policy - Cognizant of the profound impact of man's activities on all components of the natural environment particularly the effect of increasing population, resource exploitation and industrial advancement and recognizing the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural biological and physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with biologically unique features to sustain human life and development, as well as plant and animal life, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas within the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution. 

Republic Act No. 8550            

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF THE FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, INTEGRATING ALL LAWS PERTINENT THERETO, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled::

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998."

The state shall ensure the attainment of the following objectives of the fishery sector:

1. Conservation, protection and sustained management of the country's fishery and aquatic resources;

2. Poverty alleviation and the provision of supplementary livelihood among municipal fisherfolk;

3. Improvement of productivity of aquaculture within ecological limits;

4. Optimal utilization of offshore and deep-sea resources; and

5. Upgrading of post-harvest technology.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9147      

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES AND THEIR HABITATS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title. ­ This act shall be known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. ­ It shall be the policy of the State to conserve the country's wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability. In the pursuit of this policy, this Act shall have the following objectives:

(a) to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity;

(b) to regulate the collection and trade of wildlife;

(c) to pursue, with due regard to the national interest, the Philippine commitment to international conventions, protection of wildlife and their habitats; and

(d) to initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity. 

 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8371 - The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act

AN ACT TO RECOGNIZE, PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES/ INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, CREATING A NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, ESTABLISHING IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 90729135       

AN ACT TO MANAGE AND PROTECT CAVES AND CAVE RESOURCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to conserve, protect and manage caves and cave resources as part of the country's natural wealth. Towards this end, the State shall strengthen cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and people who utilize caves and cave resources for scientific, educational, recreational, tourism and other purposes.

Other Laws

Clean Air Law

It directs oil companies to minimize air pollution by not including toxic elements in their fuels. It specifically tells refiners to lower the benzene content in gasoline to 2% and lower aromatics content from 45% 50 25%.

The law also calls for a decrease in sulfur levels in diesel. Eventually the act will phase out all phase out all leaded gas, and all vehicles using leaded gasoline.  Diesel and gas rates, as well as electricity rates, are expected to rise as a result.

1997 Chemical Control Order for Cyanide and Mercury

This order aims to regulate and limit the use of cyanide and mercury among all industries concerned. The Chemical Control Order has identified specific industries allowed to use cyanide and mercury compounds. As part of the regulatory procedures, all handlers (importers, distributors, transporters, users, and disposers) of the chemicals subject to control are required to register and secure a license to use said chemicals from the DENR. All handlers are also required to submit a quarterly report on the use and disposition of the chemicals for monitoring purposes. All registered importers are required to secure a clearance prior to actual importation.

Forest Protection and Management Act

This act aims to give adequate protection to all natural forests, plantations, national parks, and reservations. These sites are to be protected from illegal loggers, poachers, and the increasing number of people settling in the upland. In 10 to 15 years, all of these activities are expected to be minimal.

Management of natural dipterocarp forests, the major source of timber and other forest products, is also included in this act.

Soil Conservation and Watershed Management

A watershed is the total land area that contributes to the flow of a river, creek, or stream and which is bounded by all of the area’s highest points. Over 70% of the country has watershed areas and the DENR is conducting a program to protect these sites.