How to conduct wildlife research in the Philippines

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The Philippines is home to many undiscovered wildlife, especially arthropods. Thus, the country is open to and encourages biodiversity researchers both local and foreign. For the past decades, collaborative work between Philippines and other countries have been successful.

Now is an exciting time to do entomological research in the Philippines, especially in the field of biodiversity and ecology, as there is great potential in discovering new species and new ecological observations.

Conducting research in the Philippines that involves collecting wildlife requires permissions from the country's Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The DENR is keen on protecting the country's natural resources, and this is accomplished by pursuing programs that contributes to environmental conservation [1]. The DENR also strictly implements the rules, regulations, and guidelines in collecting Philippine wildlife.

Republic Act 9147, also known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act" is an act providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes [2].

It is important to be familiar with the policies in this act before conducting any collection to avoid legal repercussions, and most importantly, to ensure that we, as scientists and researchers, will not contribute to species endangerment or extinction. The penalties for violating RA 9147 includes imprisonment of up to six years and 12 days and/or a fine of up to PHP 1,000,000.00 (approximately USD 20,000.00).

I. Permit for Scientists and Researchers

Wildlife Gratuitous Permit is a permit issued to any individual or entity engaged in noncommercial scientific or educational undertaking [3]. Application for wildlife gratuitous permit is done at the DENR Regional Office where your sampling area is located.
  • Validity: 1 year
  • Application fee: PHP 100.00 (approx. USD 2.00) (in accordance with DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-55 dated August 31, 2004)
  • Requirements: 
  1. Letter of application
  2. Research proposal
  3. Endorsement letter from the head of institution (i.e. Dean), or in the case of an individual researcher, from a recognized expert at a research institute.
  4. Prior Informed Consent (PIC), in written form, from the local government unit (LGU) of your intended research area (i.e. Municipal or City Mayor, Barangay Captain). If the place is declared a "Protected Area", consent shall be acquired from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). If the area is privately owned, consent shall also be acquired from the owner.
  5. Affidavit of undertaking (Available upon application at the DENR regional office).
  6. Official receipt of payment for application
  7. If the applicant is a not a citizen of the Philippines, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is required to be executed with the DENR. A local researcher or institute identified as a collaborator or counterpart is also required.
II. Guidelines for collection

There is a limitation in the amount of material you can collect. This can be depending on the size of the specimen and the purpose of your research. For details, see Annex III of the Bioprospecting Guidelines [4].

III. Transporting wildlife material within the Philippines

Local Transport Permit refers to the permit authorizing an individual or entity to bring, carry or ship wildlife, by-products or derivatives acquired from legal sources from the point of origin to the final destination within the country [3].

In applying for local transport permit, the applicant will need to visit the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of his sampling area. The samples will need to be inspected by an officer. The applicant shall either bring the specimens to PENRO, or if not possible, the officer shall visit where the specimens are located. The following documents are necessary for the application:
  1. Cover letter (The species name or common name shall be indicated as well as the number of specimens collected.)
  2. Wildlife Gratuitous permit
  3. Duly accomplished application form for local transport permit (Available upon application at the DENR Provincial office)
  4. Application fee official receipt.
Application fee: PHP 100.00 (approx. USD 2.00) (in accordance with DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-55 dated August 31, 2004)

IV. Transporting wildlife material outside the Philippines

Wildlife Export Certification (sometimes referred to as Wildlife Export Permit) refers to a permit authorizing an individual to bring out wildlife from the Philippines to any other country [3].

Application for wildlife export permit is done at the DENR Regional Office of your sampling area. The samples will need to be inspected by an officer. The applicant shall either bring the specimens to the Regional Office, or if not possible, the officer shall visit where the specimens are located. The following documents are necessary for the application:
  1. Cover letter (Indicated here are the species names or common names, number of specimens collected, volume of container used, description of chemicals if specimens are preserved)
  2. Wildlife Gratuitous permit
  3. Local transport permit (if applicable)
  4. Material Transfer Agreement (Annex II of Bioprospecting Guidelines [4])
  5. Duly accomplished wildlife export permit application form (Available upon application at the DENR Regional office)
  6. Application fee official receipt
  7. Memorandum of Agreement (if researcher is not a citizen of the Philippines)
Application fee: PHP 300.00 (approx. USD 6.00)

Important note: Permits issued with no dry seal are invalid.



Figure 1. Sample of Wildlife Gratuitous Permit (WGP)

Figure 2. Sample of Local Transport Permit (LTP).


Figure 3. Sample of Wildlife Export Certification (WEC).

References:

 [1] DENR Priority Programs.
https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/priority-programs

[2] Republic Act 9147 "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act".
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/07/30/republic-act-no-9417/

[3] Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9147.
https://www.pcsd.gov.ph/resolutions/resolutions/wildlife/jointao01.htm

[4] Guidelines for Bioprospecting Activities in the Philippines (Section 14 of RA 9147).
http://ncipcar.ph/images/pdfs/Joint-DAO-of-DENR-DA-PCSD-NCIP-No-1-s-2005.pdf

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Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 10, 2022 at 10:37 PM

    Thanks Dr. Cabrera for this very informative blog. Kudos to you!

    ReplyDelete

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