Introduction: Philippines as a Biodiversed Country

The Philippines, with 7,107 islands, hosts more than 52,177 described species of
which more than half is found nowhere else in the world, is one of the 18 mega-
biodiverse countries in the world. The Philippines ranks fifth in the number of plant
species and maintains 5% of the world’s flora. The Philippines is also one of the earth's
biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened species, thus making it one of the top
global conservation areas. Philippines contains two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and
70% of the world’s plants and animal species due to its geographical isolation, diverse
habit and high rates of endemism1.

The Philippine’s biodiversity provides food, water, energy sources,

pharmaceuticals, biomass fuels, carbon sequestration and climate regulation, crop
pollination, cultural and spiritual inspiration and ecotourism value.

Truly, the Philippines is the “Pearl of the Orient Seas.” Lindsay Bennett, author of
“Island Guide: Philippines,” hailed the country’s beauty in these words: “Copious rainfall
and hot sun combined with volcanic soil result in abundant fertility. The country’s
untamed territories are incredibly diverse. Seven thousand island ecosystems have
resulted in some of the most specialized animal species in the world, many only found
in tiny enclaves. Diversity on land is mirrored by diversity offshore.” 2

The Philippines derives large benefits from ecosystem. In particular, the country
recognizes the important role played by the watersheds, river basins and coastal areas
in the environment and in society as a source of livelihood. For instance, watershed with
adequate forest cover provides water that supports lowland agriculture, prevents soil
erosion and siltation of coast and water bodies, and sustains the supply of surface and
groundwater for domestic use. Likewise, the forest ecosystem provides ecological
services that benefit agriculture, industries, water and power needs .

Footnotes
1 “Philippine Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience
Program. August 17, 2016. USAID.
2 “Island Guide: Philippines”. 2008. Lindsay Bennett.

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Current Status of Philippine Biodiversity

Samuel Peñafiel, director of Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau, said “At the rate
our ecosystems are getting destroyed, many species may no longer be there when we
need them.”

Biodiversity in the Philippines is in crisis. Many species endemic to the country

are either threatened or endangered. Filipinos have exploited too much of our
resources. Now, both the rich and the poor are destroying natural habitats of the many
species in Philippines.

Conservation International said “Along with its remarkable level of species

endemism, the Philippines is one of the world’s most threatened hotspots, with only
seven percent of its original, old-growth, closed canopy forest left as a result of illegal
logging activities, mining, and land conversion. The country’s development objectives,
which include road network development, irrigation, power and energy projects, and
planned ports and harbors, needs to be harmonized with biodiversity conservation goal”

In the Philippines, deforestation is a leading cause of habitat destruction that has

the most negative impact on biodiversity. Poor controlled logging and mining activities
results in irreparable damage to the forest. DERN-FMB finds that, on 2011 Philippine
Forest Statistics, only about 24% remains of the country’s forest cover, with lows falling
as badly as 20% in the late 1990’s.3

Regardless of the slight improvement over the past decade, these numbers still
illustrates a severe drop from 70% at the start of the 20 th century.

Marine Habitats such as coral reefs are being destroyed by way of irresponsible
and unsustainable fishing and aquaculture. Notable example of such are dynamite
fishing, poison-dependent fishing practices that are still being practiced to this day, as
well as more recent development of black sand mining in the northern Philippine.

Footnotes
3 Philipine Forest Statistics 2011. Department of Natural Resources – Forest Management Bureau.
Reefs at Risk Revisited in the Coral Triangle. July 2012. World Resources Institute.

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 Seagrasses are on the brink of depletion due to various destructive disturbances
caused by both natural and man-made influences. Man-made causes include
agricultural cultivation and mining which led to heavy siltation in estuarine areas which,
in turn, resulted in lower productivity and even burial of seagrasses.

Also, Exploitation of Natural Resources and Wildlife has a great participation in

the loss of biodiversity. What started as a mere “subsistence hunting and gathering”
among indigenous societies had resulted into a less sustainable practices upon the
advancement of international economic relationship.

Many critically endangered species today are results of over-exploitation and

misguided hunting practices because of wildlife trade driven by demand for certain
animal parts that are used for byproducts that promise unproven or non-scientific
benefits such as shark fins and rhinoceros’ horns.

Philippine monkeys, for instance, are high-prized abroad for use in chemical and
biomedical researches. Thousands of birds are also exported for pet lovers and pet
shop displays and sometimes as meat delicacies.

Dugongs, which used to abound in Philippine waters, are fast vanishing because
they are prized for their meat. Those who have eaten the dugong’s meat said that it is
tasty and can be compared to that of beef. As such, it commands a good price in the
local market; in areas where they abound, the meat is served to special visitors.

The market for shoes, belts, bags and other by-products made of skins from
crocodiles is big. “Due to the uncontrolled hunting of crocodiles for their valuable hides
and other parts and the continued destruction of their natural habitat by human beings,
the crocodile population in the Philippines dwindled,” the environment department
reported.

Overhunting has been blamed for driving tamaraw is almost into extinction. From
a population of 10,000 in the early 1900s, only around 345 remained in 2013.

Footnotes
Environmental Challenges: The FPE’s National and Regional Environmental Agenda
“Why are We Losing Species?”. Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

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 It is also the continuous operations of coral smugglers that caused the
destruction of the country’s coral reefs. Philippine coral reefs are reportedly smuggled to
the United States, Japan and other countries. Of the 1.5 million kilograms of corals
harvested annually as part of the international trade, the Philippines account for more
than a third of the total.

Waste products and pollution are also a contributing factors to consider in the
continuous decline of biodiversity.

It’s not hard to imagine that this is a further worsened by the continued growth of
human population and human consumption. Naturally, as the number of population
increases, the amount of waste generated also increase.

Solid Waste draws most attention particularly in the use of non-biodegradable

plastics. The accumulated solid waste continues to add to the worsening flooding
problems in the Philippines, affecting the day-to-day operations of the urban and rural
areas.

“One of the major drivers of biodiversity loss in the Philippine is the introduction
and spread of invasive alien species (IAS),defined as “species introduced deliberately
or unintentionally outside their natural habitats where they have the ability to establish
themselves, invade, out-compete natives and take over the new environments”. If left
unchecked, IAS can decimate or diminish populations of native species

Footnotes
“6th National Report for the Convention of Biological Diversity”. DENR-BMB. UN-Environment.
What is the Great Pacific Ocean of Garbage Patch (2010, Online Article)
Reefs at Risk Revisited in the Coral Triangle. July 2012. World Resources Institute.

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Future Effects of the Continuous Loss of Biodiversity

5
Current Philippine Legislation on the Matters of Biodiversity

Section 16, Article II of the Philippine Constitution

“The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international legally-binding
treaty with three main goals: (a) conservation of biodiversity; (b) sustainable use of
biodiversity; (c) fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic
resources. The purpose is to effectively halt the loss of biodiversity so as to secure the
continuity of its beneficial uses through the conservation and sustainable use of its
components and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of
genetic resources.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586 or 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.”

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Republic Act No. 8550 or "The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998."

The Law provides rules and regulation for the (a) conservation, protection and
sustained management of the country's fishery and aquatic resources; (b) Poverty
alleviation and the provision of supplementary livelihood among municipal fisherfolk; (c)
Improvement of productivity of aquaculture within ecological limits; (d) Optimal utilization
of offshore and deep-sea resources; and (e) Upgrading of post-harvest technology.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9147 or 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.”

The law aims to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to
promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity by regulating the collection
and trade of wildlife. It pursues, with due regard to the national interest, the Philippine
commitment to international conventions, protection of wildlife and their habitats and
initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9072 or 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”

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Executive Order No. 247 prescribes that it is in the interest of the State's conservation
efforts to ensure that the research, collection, and use of species, genes and their
products be regulated; and to identify and recognize the rights of indigenous cultural
communities and other Philippine communities to their traditional knowledge and
practices when this information is directly and indirectly put to commercial use

Act No. 2590 or An “Act for the Protection of Game and Fish.”

The states that it is unlawful to hunt, wound, take, or kill, or have in his or her
possession, living or dead, or to purchase, offer or expose for sale, transport, ship or
export, alive, or dead, any protected bird or mammal, or to sell or have in possession for
sale any part of either. It shall likewise be unlawful for any person to take or willfully
destroy the nest or eggs of any protected bird or to have such nest or eggs in his or her
possession except as provided in section fourteen of this Act.

Republic Act No. 7308 or the “Seed Industry Development Act of 1992”

The Law aims to (a) conserve, preserve and develop the plant genetic resources
of the nation; (b) encourage and hasten the organization of all sectors engaged in the
industry, integrate all their activities and provide assistance to them; (c) consider the
seed industry as a preferred area of investment; (d) encourage the private sector to
engage in seed research and development and in mass production and distribution of
good quality seeds; and (e) provide the local industry protection against unfair
competition from imported seeds.

It also establishes the Seed Industry Council to formulate policies that will
stimulate plant breeding activities for the development of the genetic resources of the
country.

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Republic Act No 7586 or the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992”

The law recognizes that there are areas, although distinct in features, posses
common ecological values that may be incorporated into a holistic plan representative
of our natural heritage; that effective administration of this area is possible only through
cooperation among national government, local government and concerned private
organizations; that the use and enjoyment of these protected areas must be consistent
with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development.

It also establishes a National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), which

shall encompass outstandingly remarkable areas and biologically important public lands
that are habitats of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, biogeographic
zones and related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetland or marine, all of which shall
be designated as “protected areas”

Republic Act No 7611 or the “Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act”

The law prescribes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development

of Palawan compatible with protecting and enhancing the natural resources and
endangered environment of the province is hereby adopted. Such framework shall be
known as the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, hereinafter referred to as SEP,
and shall serve to guide the local government of Palawan and the government agencies
concerned in the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects
affecting said province.

Republic Act No 7942 or the “Philippine Mining Act of 1995”

It is the governing law that regulates mineral resources development in the

country. One of the primary objectives of this act is to revitalize the ailing Philippine
mining industry by providing fiscal reforms and incentives and maintaining the viable
inventory of minerals to sustain the industry. The main policy of the legislation that

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governs all mining operations in the country and includes various measures to protect
the environment and defines areas in which mining can be allowed.

Republic Act No 9147 or the “Wildlife Protection Act”

The Act made a comprehensive list of endangered wildlife species for the first
time and prohibition of hunting of the endangered species was mentioned. It also
provides for the protection of some endangered plants. It prescribes the act that is
considered “illegal” as to protect and conserve different species of flora and fauna.

Republic Act No. 8485 or the “Animal Welfare Act of 1998”

It is the purpose of this Act to protect and promote the welfare of all animals in
the Philippines by supervising and regulating the establishment and operations of all
facilities utilized for breeding, maintaining, keeping, treating or training of all animals
either as objects of trade or as household pets.

Presidential Decree No. 1433 or the “Plant Quarantine Decree of 1978”

The states that economic losses due to injury on agricultural crops brought about
by plant pests have become increasingly significant. Therefore, It aims to prevent the
introduction, incursion, establishment and subsequent spread of plant pests by
regulating the international and domestic movements of plants and plant products.

Presidential Decree No 1586 or the “Environmental Impact Statement System Law”

The Law states that no person, partnership or corporation shall operate in any
declared environmentally critical project or area without first securing an Environmental
Compliance Certificate for the proper management of said critical project or area. The
regulatory requirements of environmental Impact Statements and Assessments
instituted in pursuit of this national environmental protection program
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Executive Order No. 192 or the “Reorganization of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources”

The law provides that to attain the objective, environmental concerns and natural
resources concern should be given equal attention by the Department. It also
establishes different sectoral bureau under the DENR’s supervision to properly
formulate and enforce environmental laws including but not limited to; (a) Forest
Management Bureau (b) Lands Management Bureau (c) Mines and Geo-Sciences
Bureau (d) Environmental Management Bureau (e) Ecosystems Research and
Development Bureau and (f) Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau

On the other hand, Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources cites different laws relating to biodiversity and protection of
certain areas, includes but not limited to the following;

RA 6964

“AN ACT CONVERTING THE HINULUGANG TAKTAK RECREATION AREA

INTO A NATIONAL PARK TO BE KNOWN AS THE HINULUGANG TAKTAK
NATIONAL PARK, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

RA 7954

“AN ACT TO DECLARE FIFTY METERS ON EACH SIDE OF THE BANGAN

HILL ROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYOMBONG, PROVINCE OF NUVA
VIZCAYA, AS A NATIONAL PARK”

RA 9304

“AN ACT TO ESTABLISH MT. MALINDANG NATURAL PARK AS A

PROTECTED AREA AND ITS PERIPHERAL AREA AS BUFFER ZONE”

RA 9303

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 “AN ACT DECLARING MT. HAMIGUITAN RANGE AND ITS VICINITIES AS
PROTECTED AREA AND ITS PERIPHERAL AREAS AS BUFFER ZONE”

RA 9237

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING MOUNT APO AS A PROTECTED AREA AND ITS

PERIPHERAL AREAS AS BUFFER ZONES”

RA 9154

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING MT. KANLA-ON AS A PROTECTED AREA AND A

PERIPHERAL AREA AS BUFFER ZONE”

RA 9147

“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF

WILDLIFE RESOURCES AND THEIR HABITATS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

RA 9125

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NORTHERN SIERRA MADRE MOUNTAIN

RANGE WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA AS A PROTECTED AREA AND
ITS PERIPHERAL AREAS AS BUFFER ZONES”

RA 9106

“AN ACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF SAGAY

MARINE RESERVE”

RA 9072

“AN ACT TO MANAGE AND PROTECTED CAVES AND CAVE RESOURCES

AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE
"NATIONAL CAVES AND CAVE RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND
PROTECTION ACT"

RA 8991

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 “AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE BATANES GROUP OF ISLANDS AND ISLETS
AS A PROTECTED AREA, AND ITS PERIPHERAL WATERS AS BUFFER
ZONES”

RA 8978

“AN ACT DECLARING THE MT. KITANGLAD RANGE AS A PROTECTED

AREA AND ITS PERIPHERAL AREAS AS BUFFER ZONES, PROVIDING FOR
ITS MANAGEMENT AND OTHER PURPOSES”

RA 3571

“AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE CUTTING, DESTROYING OR INJURING OF

PLANTED OR GROWING TREES, FLOWERING PLANTS AND SCHRUBS OR
PLANTS OF SCENIC VALUE ALONG PUBLIC ROADS, IN PLAZAS, PARKS,
SCHOOL PREMISES OR IN ANY OTHER PUBLIC GROUND”

RA 10629

“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RETENTION BY THE PROTECTED AREA

MANAGEMENT BOARD OF SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT(75%) OF THE
REVENUES ACCRUING TO THE INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA FUND
(IPAF)”

RA 10067

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE TUBBATAHA REEFS NATURAL PARK AS A

PROTECTED AREA”

RA 9494

“AN ACT DECLARING THE MAMBILISAN WATERSHED AS A PROTECTED

AREA”

RA 9486

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BUHISAN WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE,

THE MANANGA WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE, THE SUDLON NATIONAL
PARK, THE CENTRAL CEBU NATIONAL PARK AND THE KOTKOT-LUSARAN
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WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE INTO ONE PROTECTED AREA TO BE
KNOWN AS THE CENTRAL CEBU PROTECTED LANDSCAPE (CCPL)”

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References;

Reefs at Risk Revisited in the Coral Triangle. July 2012. World Resources Institute.

“6th National Report for the Convention of Biological Diversity”. DENR-BMB. UN-
Environment.

What is the Great Pacific Ocean of Garbage Patch (2010, Online Article)

Reefs at Risk Revisited in the Coral Triangle. July 2012. World Resources Institute.

Environmental Challenges: The FPE’s National and Regional Environmental Agenda

“Why are We Losing Species?”. Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

Philipine Forest Statistics 2011. Department of Natural Resources – Forest

Management Bureau.

UN Convention on Biological Diversity

Biodiveristy Management Bureau –

http://www.bmb.gov.ph/index.php/e-library/laws-and-policies

Foundation for the Philipine Environment

https://fpe.ph/biodiversity-conservation-strategies.html

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