SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" ,M" Lapid 
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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-Wi/dlife 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"),lcivii society 
groups, and private individuals. The program shall seek to conserve and protect 
biological diversity, promote ecologically sustainable development, prev1:mt species 
extinction, promote the protection of threatened species and their habitats, and 
encourage the conservation of threatened species and their habitats. 
'" ""'" 01 the ,,,,,,,0',,,,. the i~ed"" pa,..,. ~i' U'hl 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID 
Senator 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
2!'A 
S. No. --,,,,-,,\),,-';1; 
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'13 
JUL -2 119:17 .. 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
AN 
"ADOPT-A-WILDLIFE 
SPECIES 
PROGRAM", 
PROVIDING INCENTIVES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. . Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Adopt-a-Wildlife 
2 
Species Act of 2013", 
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4 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - The State is mandated under Section 16, 
5 
Article II of the Constitution to "protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
6 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature". Towards this 
7 
end, it is the policy of the State, as declared under Republic Act No. 9147, to conserve 
8 
the country's wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability by: (a) conserving 
9 
and protecting wildlife species and their habitat to promote ecological balance and 
10 
enhance biological diversity; (b) regulating the collection and trade of wildlife; (c) 
11 
pursuing with due regard to the national interest the Philippine commitment to 
12 
intemational conventions on the protection of wildlife and their habitats; and (d) initiating 
13 
or supporting scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity. 
14 
15 
Consistent with this policy, the State, under Republic Act No. 7586, has 
16 
established a National Integrated Protected Areas System ("NIPAS") covering habitats 
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of rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals along with biographic 
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zones and related ecosystems. 
19 
20 
SEC. 3. 
Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program. - Pursuant to the aforesaid 
21 
national policy, there is hereby established an "Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program" 
22 
which shall be implemented in all appropriate areas of the country with the active 
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partiCipation, involvement and assistance of the local government units ("LGUs"), non-
24 
governmental organizations ("NGOs"), people's organizations ("POs"), civil SOCiety 
25 
groups and private individuals. 
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27 
The program shall have the following objectives: 
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29 
(a) 
To conserve and protect biological diversity and promote ecologically 
30 
sustainable development; 
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32 
(b) 
To prevent species extinction and promote the protection of threatened 
33 
species and their habitats; and 
1 


1 
2 
(C) 
To encourage the conservation of threatened species and their habitats 
3 
through the active participation of the private sector and all other sectors of society. 
4 
5 
SEC. 4. 
Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA'? -
A Memorandum of 
6 
Agreement ("MOA") stipulating the terms and conditions for the adoption of a wildlife 
7 
species shall be executed by and between the adopting entity or individual and the 
8 
government agency that has jurisdiction over the selected wildlife species in accordance 
9 
with Republic Act No. 9147; whether it be the Secretary of the Department of 
10 
Environment and Natural Resources ("DENR"), the Secretary of the Department of 
11 
Agriculture ("DN), the Chairman of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development 
12 
("peSD"), or their duly authorized representatives. 
13 
14 
In the preparation of the MOA and in negotiating the terms and conditions 
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thereof, the contracting parties shall consider the following: 
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(a) 
Application of the most efficient and effective use of available resources 
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for the conservation and protection of a threatened species and/or its 
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habitat; 
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(b) 
Minimization of adverse social and economic consequences; 
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(c) 
Integration of measures by which the public may participate in the 
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conservation process; 
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(d) 
Consultation with indigenous peoples with special knowledge or interest 
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pertaining to the species and habitat concerned; and 
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(e) 
Consultation with and securing assistance from experts and professionals. 
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31 
32 
The MOA shall among others: 
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34 
35 
36 
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(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
Identify the threatened species and/or habitat covered by the program; 
Identify processes that threaten the species and/or habitat concerned; 
Specify measures to be undertaken to ensure the conservation and 
protection of the threatened species and/or habitat; 
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(d) 
Enumerate performance indicators for the evaluation of conservation and 
42 
protection measures; and 
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44 
45 
46 
47 
(e) 
Identify private and public sectors participants who shall be involved in the 
implementation of the MOA. 
48 
The MOA shall be effective for at least two (2) years, which may be extended 
49 
upon mutual agreement of the parties: Provided, That such period may be shortened in 
50 
the event of dissolution of the adopting entity or death of the adopting individual, absent 
51 
any willing and qualified successor, unless the MOA is earlier terminated in accordance 
52 
with Section 7 hereunder. 
53 
54 
SEC. 5. Assignment of the MOA. Should the adopting entity or individual 
55 
assign the implementation of the program to another qualified entity or individual, such 
2 


1 
assignment shall be made in writing and shall be subject to the approval of the head of 
2 
the government agency concerned or his/her duly authorized representative. 
3 
4 
SEC. 6. 
National Technical Committee and Regional Monitoring 
5 
Committee. - The Secretary of the DENR, the Secretary of the DA, and the Chairman 
6 
of the PCSD shall establish in their respective agencies the following committees: 
7 
8 
(a) 
A National Technical Committee ("NTC") composed of ranking officials 
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and experts in the field of wildlife conservation and management as well as 
10 
representatives from the private sector who are engaged in biodiversity conservation. 
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Such committee shall formulate the design and mechanics for implementation of the 
12 
program. The NTC shall meet once every three (3) months, or as often as necessary, to 
13 
process project proposals submitted by interested parties and to submit appropriate 
14 
recommendations to the concerned government agency head with repect to program 
15 
implementation; and 
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(b) 
A Regional Monitoring Committee ("RMC") composed of ranking PCSD 
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officials from the regional down to the provincial and municipal/community levels which 
19 
shall conduct periodic monitoring, review, and evaluation of the performance of the 
20 
adopting entity or individual. The results of the RMC's periodic evaluation shall be the 
21 
basis for the assessment of the adopting entity's or individual's application for tax 
22 
credits and incentives. It shall also be the basis for determining the appropriateness of 
23 
pre-termination of the MOA. 
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25 
SEC. 7. Pre-termination of the MOA. - Nothing herein shall prevent the pre-
26 
termination of the MOA should the RMC deem it appropriate, such as in the case of 
27 
abandonment by or insolvency of the adopting entity or individual or in the case of its 
28 
non-compliance with obligations as determined in this Act. 
29 
30 
SEC. 8. 
Obligations of the Adopting Entity or Individual. - The following 
31 
shall be the obligations of the adopting entity or individual: 
32 
33 
(a) 
To comply strictly with the terms and conditions stipulated in the MOA, 
34 
such as those referred to in Section 4; and 
35 
36 
(b) 
To perform such other obligations or undertakings as may be required by 
37 
the national government agency having jurisdiction over the subject wildlife species, 
38 
consistent with the conservation policies enunciated in Republic Act No. 9147. 
39 
40 
SEC. 9. 
Tax Exemption and Incentives. -
Any donation, contribution, 
41 
bequest or grant which shall be made to the "Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program" under 
42 
the DENR, the DA and the PCSD shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall 
43 
be considered as an allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor agency for 
44 
purposes of paying the donor agency's income tax, in accordance with the provisions of 
45 
the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
46 
47 
SEC. 10. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Secretary of 
48 
the DENR, the Secretary of the DA and the Chairman of the PCSD, or their duly 
49 
authorized representatives, shall, in consultation with the Department of Finance (DOF), 
50 
jointly formulate the rules and regulations to implement the relevant provisions of this 
51 
Act. 
52 
53 
SEC. 11. 
Appropriations. -
The 
amount necessary for the 
initial 
54 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of 
55 
the DENR, the DA and the PCSD. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for 
56 
its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
3 


1 
2 
SEC. 12. 
Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
3 
held unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the other provisions hereof which are not 
4 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
s 
6 
SEC. 13. 
Repealing Clause. -
All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
7 
orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions 
8 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
9 
10 
11 
12 
SEC. 14. 
publication in the 
circulation. 
Approved, 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
4