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Republic of the Philippines
p PP is} 30 JUN 205

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

Q
HOUSE BILL NO. 139

Introduced by Representative Arnan C. Panaligan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to institutionalize the Tamaraw Conservation Program in order
to prevent the extinction of the Tamaraws and the deterioration of its habitat and
address critical issues and challenges affecting its protection, preservation and
conservation.

This bill is similar to the measure sponsored by former Rep. Josephine
Ramirez-Sato during the Eighteenth Congress. It was approved by the House of
Representatives and transmitted to the Senate but did not become a law. During the
19" Congress, this bill was refiled but it was not taken during the plenary session.

The Island of Mindoro is one of the major biogeographical regions in the
country that has social, economic, and ecological importance. The island comprising
the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro is home to many endemic flora
and fauna species with national and global significance including the Bubalus
Mindorensis or Tamaraw. This critically endangered mammalian species belonging
to the water bovine family are only to be found in the Island of Mindoro. These dwarf
water buffalo are regarded as the largest endemic land mammal in the Philippines
and plays a critical role in maintaining balance in the forest and grassland ecosystems
of the Mindoro Island.

In 2000, the Tamaraw was officially listed as critically endangered by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature and by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources. In 2018, the population count recorded 523
Tamaraws left in the wild, and to date, metapopulations of tamaraw are found in Mt.
Cavalite Wildlife Sanctuary, Aruyan-Malite Tamaraw Reservation and in Mts. Iglit-
Baco Natural Park where today's 80 percent of its population may be found.

This bill institutionalizing the Tamaraw Conservation Program and its
implementation mechanism intends to provide for a holistic and a multi-sectoral


intervention and solution addressing the primary threats to the species particularly
poaching, disease prevention from domestic cattle to tamaraws and management of
invasive species affecting its habitat. Further, itis aimed to address the inadequate
habitat assessment, mapping of pests and diseases, and the lack of research facility
and technology to help Tamaraw reproduction.

As a socio-cultural concern, this measure aims to enhance the interaction
between the wildlife and Mindoro's indigenous people, the Mangyans, by
strengthening the collaboration efforts in integrating conservation measures to the
communities’ cultural and development needs for the recovery of the tamaraws that
are found in their respective ancestral domains.

Considering the great challenges that are faced by the Tamaraws and its habitat,
I believe that it is only through the enactment of a law that will protect, preserve and
rehabilitate the population of this critically endangered species that we can be assured
that the concept of intergenerationality and our rights for healthful ecology, as
enshrined in our Constitution, be upheld.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is urgently requested.

eae ae
ARNAN C. PANALIGAN


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Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 139

Introduced by Representative Arnan C. Panaligan

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE TAMARAW CONSERVATION
PROGRAM, CREATING ITS ADMINISTRATIVE AND
IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Tamaraw

Conservation Management Act."

SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy. t is the policy of the State to protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and harmony of nature. It is also the policy of the State to conserve and
protect the country's wildlife resources

and its habitats, enhance biodiversity, and ensure provision of ecosystem services.

Towards this end, the State shall institute measures with due regard to local
and national interest, Philippine commitments to international conventions, treaties
and agreements for the protection and conservation of biodiversity, and wildlife

resources.


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SECTION 3. Creation Of the Tamaraw Conservation Coordinating Council -
The Tamaraw Conservation Coordinating Council, hereinafter referred to as the
Council, is hereby created and shall be the body charged with the formulation of
policies and management of programs pertaining to the conservation of the

‘Tamaraw (Bubalus Mindorensis) and its current population in the country.

The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) shall serve as the Chairperson of the Council. The DENR Regional
Executive Director for Region IV-B may be designated as the permanent
representative by the DENR Secretary and the Assistant Regional Director for

Technical Services shall serve as the Vice- Chairperson of the Council.

The Chairperson shall invite representatives from the following to serve as
members of the Council:

a. One (1) each from the Provincial governments of Occidental Mindoro and
Oriental Mindoro;

b. One (1) each from concerned municipal government offices;

c. Members of the House of Representatives from Congressional Districts of
the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro;

d. One (1) each from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Offices
in Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro;

e. One (1) each from the Indigenous Peoples tribal groups of Buhid, Tau-Buid,
Iraya, Bangon, and Alangan;

f. One (1) each from the academe in Occidental Mindoro and Oriental
Mindoro;

g. Three (3) locally-based conservation non-government organizations
(NGOs); and

h. One (1) from the local Chamber of commerce.

SECTION 4. Powers and Functions of the Council. -For the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act, the Council is hereby vested with the

following powers and functions:


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. Oversee the implementation of the Tamaraw Conservation Management and

Action Plan (TCMAP) and the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP);

. Integrate and harmonize TCMAP objectives and activities in local

development plans, management plans, and the annual work and financial

plans of the offices and agencies represented in the Council;

. Monitor and review the implementation of TCMAP;

|. Provide administrative support to the implementation of projects and

interventions under the TCMAP;

.. Create thematic or site-based groups, as needed;

Coordinate with LGUs for issued affecting their areas of jurisdiction;

. Coordinate with other government agencies and instrumentalities, the private

sector and civic organizations for cooperation and assistance in performance

of its functions;

. Arrange, negotiate for, accept donations, grants, gifts, loans, and other

funding from domestic and foreign sources to carry out the activities and

objectives of the TCP; and

. Perform such other functions as may be necessary in carrying out the

provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Tamaraw Conservation Technical Advisory Group. To ensure

science-based interventions and decisions on the conservation of Tamaraws, the

Council, through the Chairperson, shall create a Tamaraw Conservation Technical

Advisory Group to be composed of representatives from the following:

c.

a. Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB);
b.

Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau;
Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA);
International Union for Conservation of Nature Asian Wild Cattle Specialist

Group; and

. Other experts from the academe and conservation organizations.

SECTION 6. The Tamaraw Conservation Program Office. - The Tamaraw

Conservation Program Office (TCPO) is hereby created. It shall act as the

implementing arm of the Council and shall perform the following functions:


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a. Lead the formulation and implementation of TCMAP;
b. Prepare the Annual Work and Financial Plan for the TCP based on the

priority activities in the TCMAP;

. Assist in the mobilization of resources to augment financing of the TCRAP;

|. Develop project proposals and activities in pursuit of the strategies of

TCMAP;

. Create a Quick Response Team, in coordination with the Protected Area

Management Office, the concerned local government units, and the
Philippine National Police for the conduct of law enforcement, investigation,
and population surveys;

Recommend management interventions including policies and guidelines to

address or resolve pressing issues and problems;

. Serve as secretariat of the Council;

. Initiate coordination mechanism and necessary arrangements with the

Protected Area Management Board through its PASu, for collaborative
conservation of Tamaraw population within the protected area and facilitate
integration and harmonization of TCMAP with the management plan of the
concerned protected area;

Manage the Tamaraw Gene Pool Farm located in Sitio Canturoy, Barangay
Manoot, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, in coordination with the Protected Area
Management Office of Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park;

Lead in the implementation of the TCP's Work and Financial Plan in
coordination with stakeholders, such as local governments, the Protected

Area Management Board and Protected Area Superintendents concerned;

. Prepare and submit quarterly and annual reports on Tamaraw conservation to

be submitted to the Secretary of DENR through the Regional Executive
Director and the BMB; and
Perform other duties as may be assigned to the Council.

SECTION 7. Organizational Structure of the Tamaraw Conservation and

Research Center. - The TCPO shall be under the supervision of the DENR Region
IV-B Office and shall be headed by the PENRO of occidental Mindoro. Within six
(6) months from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR Regional Executive Director


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for Region IV-B, in coordination with the BMB, shall prepare the manpower
requirements, including plantilla positions for the TCPO to be submitted to the
Department of Budget and Management.

SECTION 8. Establishment Of the Tamaraw Conservation and Research
Center. -The Tamaraw Conservation and Research Center (TCRC) is hereby
and activities undertaken by the

established to ensure that all conservation pol
TCPA are based on empirical data findings from scientific studies and research.
The TCRC shall:

a. Serve as the national conservation research center for the Tamaraw in the
areas of conservation genetics, reproductive sciences, and diseases
management:

b. Promote conservation and research for the endemic species of Mindoro
Island; and

c. Take over the operation of the existing Tamaraw Gene Pool Farm within
Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park to pursue the envisioned plan to strengthen and

expand Tamaraw meta-population management in the entire Mindoro Island.

The management and operation of the TCRC facility shall be lodged with
the TCPO. All research activities shall be coordinated with the ERB and BMB.

SECTION 9. Tamaraw Conservation in Protected Areas: The concerned
Protected Area Management Board shall monitor and manage the Tamaraw
population within the protected areas, ensuring the introduction of adequate
measures and interventions for its conservation. The PAMB, through PASu, shall
collaborate closely with the TCPO in carrying out Tamaraw conservation programs

and activities within the protected areas.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DENR shall
immediately include in the Department’ s programs the implementation of this Act,

the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


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SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months
following the effectivity of this Act, the DENR shall, after consultation with
concemed government agencies and other institutions, promulgate rules and

regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise

affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,

modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,