Support to the Implementation of Executive Order No.

247 in the Philippines

SECTOR: Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Philippines was one of the first countries to implement a regulation to access of Biological and Genetic
Resources. Access is regulated starting 1996 upon the inception of Executive Order 247 (EO 247) and its Implementing
Rules and Regulations (DAO 96-20) establishing the provisions and legal procedures in the utilization of natural resources
for academic and commercial purpose. the Order calls for the development of specific guidelines on benefits, payment of
bioprospecting fees, bond and royalties. Thus, the project "Support to the Implementation of Executive Order 247" was
conceptualized in year 2000 to develop these guidelines among other secondary outputs.

Regulations for bioprospecting activities was reiterated by the Wildlife Act of 2001. The IRR of the Act, in particular
calls for the formulation of a new bioprospecting guidelines which shall prescribe the procedures and requirements for
evaluating and processing bioprospecting in accordance with the Act.

The project was thus given a new direction and its objectives were aligned with the needs arising from the law.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Develop guidelines for bioprospecting activities in the Philippines in the form of a joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative
Order. The guidelines shall prescribe the procedures and requirements for evaluating and approval of bioprospecting
proposal for biological resources under the management jurisdiction of the three agencies; standard monitoring scheme
to guide the implementing agencies in monitoring compliance of researchers to agreements; the quota for collection
amount of bioprospecting fee, performance/rehabilitation bond, payment of royalties sharing;

1. Strengthen the capability of DENR personnel in implementing the guidelines through provision of trainings/seminars on:
bioprospecting guidelines itself and related laws, wildlife identification;

2. Promote awareness of the public on the concert of bioprospecting and related laws; and

3. Identify the terms and reference for a management information system for bioprospecting in the Philippines which could
be develop in the future.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

1. Joint DENR-DA-PCSD-NCIP Administrative Order Re: Guidelines for Bioprospecting Activities in the Philippines;
2. Trained DENR Regional personnel on the bioprospecting guidelines and related laws;
3. Trained DENR Regional personnel on identification of Wildlife species with focus on threatened species;
4. Field Guide on selected species of Fauna and Flora of the Philippines for the DENR Regional Offices;
5. A Primer to understanding bioprospecting and related laws in the Philippines; and
6. Terms of Reference (TOR) for developing a Management Information System for bioprospecting activities in the
Philippines.
MAJOR COMPONENTS:

I. Development of the Bioprospecting guideliness

II. Training/Seminars
Ill. Development of Publications
IV. TOR for Bioprospecting MIS
TARGET BENEFICIARIES:
1. Implementing agencies of the Wildlife Act (DENT, DA, PCSD) and the NCIP
2. Indigenous People
3. Academic and other scientific/research institution
EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE: German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ)
BUDGET: Euro 99,194 (about P4 million) plus PAWB counterpart

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY: PAWB, DENR

DURATION:
TO : March 1, 2000
FROM : December 31,2001
Revised : March 31, 2005
PROJECT MANAG ER/COORDINATOR: Dr. Antonio C. Manila
Chief, Wildlife Resources Division
ADDRESS : Protected Areas & Wildlife Bureau, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center,
North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
TEL. NO. : 925-89-53