EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
of Ii)i’ £ v - n  ?tflrp
S. No. 901
*19 
AUG 13 PI :12
r:..
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN "ADOPT-A-W ILDLIFE SPECIES PROGRAM", 
PROVIDING INCENTIVES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that "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".
Some conservationists have observed that the Philippines, one of the world's most 
biologically diverse areas, is on the brink of a major wildlife crisis.
Over 50% of the 1,114 vertebrate species found on land are endemic in the 
Philippines and some of these species can be found in no other country. Further, 195 of 
the 600 bird species are endemic in our country alone. However, the Philippine's rich 
biodiversity is under threat. Islands once covered in undisturbed forest habitat are now 
being cultivated to meet the needs of the expanding population.
Deforestation, hunting, and a lack of wildlife management has led to the 
Philippines being described not just as a conservation 'hotspot' - an area of concern - but 
the 'hottest of the hotspots'. Many conservationists warn that the Philippines is on the


brink of a major wildlife crisis. Species such as the Cebu flower pecker, the Golden- 
crowned flying fox, the Philippine cockatoo, the Negros forest frog, the Philippine 
crocodile, and the Philippine eagle are now threatened with extinction.
The forests that once covered 94% of the country now roughly constitute only 7% 
as a result of a rising incidence of logging, both legitimate and illegal. For a struggling 
nation like the Philippines, the toughest job of all is striking a balance between the need 
for industrial growth and the protection of natural resources.
This proposed measure seeks to establish an "Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program" 
which shall be implemented in all appropriate areas of the country with the active 
participation, involvement, and assistance of the local government units ("LGUs"), non­
governmental organizations ("NGOs"), people's organizations ("POs"), civil society 
groups, and private individuals. The program shall seek to conserve and protect biological 
diversity, promote ecologically sustainable development, prevent species extinction, 
promote the protection of threatened species and their habitats, and encourage the 
conservation of threatened species and their habitats.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage sought.
EL LITO " M. LAPID
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
dii ic
s. No. 901
•19 
AUG 13 
P I :12
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN "ADOPT-A-W ILDLIFE SPECIES PROGRAMS", 
PROVIDING INCENTIVES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. 
Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Adopt-a-Wildlife 
Species Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy.— The. State is mandated under Section 16, Article 
II of the Constitution to "protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature". Towards 
this end, it is the policy of the State, as declared under Republic Act No. 9147, to 
conserve the country's wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability by: (a) 
conserving and protecting wildlife species and their habitat to promote ecological 
balance and enhance biological diversity; (b) regulating the collection and trade of 
wildlife; (c) pursuing with due regard to the national interest the Philippine 
commitment to international conventions on the protection of wildlife and their 
habitats; and (d) initiating or supporting scientific studies on the conservation of 
biological diversity.


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Consistent with this policy, the State, under Republic Act No. 7586, has 
established a National Integrated Protected Areas System ("NIPAS") covering habitats 
of rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals along with 
biographic zones and related ecosystems.
Sec. 3. Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program. — Pursuant to the aforesaid national 
policy, there is hereby established an "Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program" which shall 
be implemented in all appropriate areas of the country with the active participation, 
involvement and assistance of the local government units ("LGUs"), non-governmental 
organizations ("NGOs"), people's organizations ("POs"), civil society groups and 
private individuals.
The program shall have the following objectives:
(a) To conserve and protect biological diversity and promote ecologically 
sustainable development;
(b) To prevent species extinction and promote the protection of threatened 
species and their habitats; and
(c) To encourage the conservation of threatened species and their habitats 
through the active participation of the private sector and all other sectors of society.
SEC. 4. Memorandum o f Agreement ("MOA"). — A Memorandum of Agreement 
("MOA") stipulating the terms and conditions for the adoption of a wildlife species shall 
be executed by and between the adopting entity or individual and the government 
agency that has jurisdiction over the selected wildlife species in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 9147; whether it be the Secretary of the Department of Environment 
and Natural Resources ("DENR"), the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture 
("DA"), the Chairman of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development ("PCSD"), 
or their duly authorized representatives.
In the preparation of the MOA and in negotiating the terms and conditions 
thereof, the contracting parties shall consider the following:
(a) 
Application of the most efficient and effective use of available resources for 
the conservation and protection of a threatened species and/or its habitat;


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(b) Minimization of adverse social and economic consequences;
(c) Integration of measures by which the public may participate in the 
conservation process;
(d) Consultation with indigenous peoples with special knowledge or interest 
pertaining to the species and habitat concerned; and
(e) Consultation with and securing assistance from experts and professionals.
The MOA shall among others:
(a) Identify the threatened species and/or habitat covered by the program;
(b) Identify processes that threaten the species and/or habitat concerned;
(c) Specify measures to be undertaken to ensure the conservation and 
protection of the threatened species and/or habitat;
(d) Enumerate performance indicators for the evaluation of conservation and 
protection measures; and
(e) Identify private and public sectors participants who shall be involved in the 
implementation of the MOA.
The MOA shall be effective for at least two (2) years, which may be extended 
upon mutual agreement of the parties: Provided, That such period may be shortened 
in the event of dissolution of the adopting entity or death of the adopting individual, 
absent any willing and qualified successor, unless the MOA is earlier terminated in 
accordance with Section 7 hereunder.
SEC. 5. Assignment o f the MOA. Should the adopting entity or individual assign 
the implementation of the program to another qualified entity or individual, such 
assignment shall be made in writing and shall be subject to the approval of the head 
of the government agency concerned or his/her duly authorized representative.
SEC. 6. National Technical Committee and Regional Monitoring Committee. — 
The Secretary of the DENR, the Secretary of the DA, and the Chairman of the PCSD 
shall establish in their respective agencies the following committees:


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(a) A National Technical Committee ("NTC") composed of ranking officials and 
experts in the field of wildlife conservation and management as well as representatives 
from the private sector who are engaged in biodiversity conservation. Such committee 
shall formulate the design and mechanics for implementation of the program. The 
NTC shall meet once every three (3) months, or as often as necessary, to process 
project proposals submitted by interested parties and to submit appropriate 
recommendations to the concerned government agency head with respect to program 
implementation; and
(b) A Regional Monitoring Committee ("RMC") composed of ranking PCSD 
officials from the regional down to the provincial and municipal/community levels 
which shall conduct periodic monitoring, review, and evaluation of the performance of 
the adopting entity or individual. The results of the RMC's periodic evaluation shall be 
the basis for the assessment of the adopting entity's or individual's application for tax 
credits and incentives. It shall also be the basis for determining the appropriateness 
of pre-termination of the MOA.
SEC. 7. Pre-termination o f the MOA. — Nothing herein shall prevent the pre­
termination of the MOA should the RMC deem it appropriate, such as in the case of 
abandonment by or insolvency of the adopting entity or individual or in the case of its 
non-compliance with obligations as determined in this Act.
SEC. 8. Obiigations o f the Adopting Entity or Individuai. — The following shall 
be the obligations of the adopting entity or individual:
(a) To comply strictly with the terms and conditions stipulated in the MOA, such 
as those referred to in Section 4; and
(b) To perform such other obligations or undertakings as may be required by 
the national government agency having jurisdiction over the subject wildlife species, 
consistent with the conservation policies enunciated in Republic Act No. 9147.
SEC. 9. Tax Exemption and Incentives. — Any donation, contribution, bequest 
or grant which shall be made to the "Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program" under the 
DENR, the DA and the PCSD shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be


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considered as an allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor agency for 
purposes of paying the donor agency's income tax, in accordance with the provisions 
of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the DENR, 
the Secretary of the DA and the Chairman of the PCSD, or their duly authorized 
representatives, shall, in consultation with the Department of Finance (DOF), jointly 
formulate the rules and regulations to implement the relevant provisions of this Act.
SEC.ll. Appropriations.— J\\e amount necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DENR, the 
DA and the PCSD. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the other provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules, and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,