The Philippines is recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, home to a vast array of unique species and ecosystems. However, the country’s rich natural heritage faces increasing threats from habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable resource use. The policies and regulations of the Philippine government aimed at conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development help mitigate these environmental pressures. Some of the notable biodiversity management policies and regulations in the Philippines are summarized and discussed below, highlighting their key objectives and provisions. By examining these policies, insights into the country’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its natural resources for future generations can be analyzed.

 

RA 11995
Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act

Purpose

The Republic Act institutionalizes a national framework for integrating natural capital and ecosystem considerations into economic planning and policy decisions. Its key declarations include recognizing nature as part of the country’s heritage, establishing and implementing the PENCAS framework which adheres to internationally accepted System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) frameworks, and applying environmental data in national and subnational planning and budgeting processes. The PENCAS framework shall cover official statistics on natural capital depletion, degradation, and restoration; environmental protection expenditures; land, air, and water quality; environmental damages; and adjusted net savings, which is the sum of net national savings and education expenditure, minus natural resources depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution damage.

Key Objectives of the Establishment of the PENCAS Framework

  • Support policy-making in the economic, environmental, and health sectors;
  • Establish a process for collecting and analyzing physical and natural capital data, which refer to stocks of renewable and non‑renewable resources (e.g., air, water, soil, minerals, biodiversity) that provide ecosystem services;
  • Serve as a framework for the generation of natural capital statistics;
  • Provide tools for ecosystem protection, conservation, and restoration; and
  • Provide valuation metrics for the physical and economical value and worth of ecosystem services, which are benefits gained from the ecosystem such as provisioning, regulating and maintenance, and cultural services.

Institutional Structure

  • The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) oversees the implementation of PENCAS.
  • The IACENRS (Interagency Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Statistics) ensures that the data requirements for the Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) are met by all relevant agencies. NCA is an accounting framework for measuring and reporting on stocks and flows of natural capital.
  • The Technical Working Group (TWG), which consists of the PSA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), serves as a forum for discussion and resolution of issues.

Reference: https://bmb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RA11995.pdf

 

DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2021‑13
Guidelines for the Development and Recognition of Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises (BDFEs) in Protected Areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and Conservation Areas

Purpose

The DAO 2021-13 serves as an institutional, scientific, and technical guide for the conservation of biodiversity and the integrity of ecosystems, culture, and indigenous practices in protected areas in upland and coastal environments. The scope of the guidelines is the micro (value of not more than PHP 3,000,000) and small enterprises (value from PHP 3,000,001 – PHP 15,000,000) of people’s organization (PO) dependent on ecosystem goods and services provided by biodiversity, within the protected areas under the NIPAS and designated conservation areas. PO is a group of people (e.g., association, cooperative federation, etc.) established by the community to address community concerns and needs.

Key Objectives

  • Establish procedures and standards for the development and recognition of BDFEs;
  • Enable upland and coastal communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples and those with tenurial instruments (i.e., leases, permits, and agreements concerning the development, exploration, and utilization of the country’s natural resources), to run ecologically, socially, and culturally responsible enterprises;
  • Establish biodiversity-friendly standards to promote consumer support of legitimate ecological, economically viable, and socially and culturally responsible community enterprises; and
  • Raise awareness and participation of communities within and surrounding protected areas in biodiversity conservation and protection.

Definition of Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises (BDFEs)

  • BDFEs are businesses that utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, promoting conservation and the equitable sharing of benefits and ecosystem services.
  • For a business to be recognized as a BDFE, it shall be measured against the following standards:
    • Ecological integrity, which is the assessment of how the enterprise accounted for the spatial and species-specific needs within the area, including the effects of its operations on the ecosystem;
    • Economic viability, which is the measurement of the growth, profitability, and sustainability of the community enterprise and the PO managing it;
    • Equity, which is the socio-cultural benefits provided by the enterprise (e.g., labor rights, gender equality, indigenous peoples’ rights, etc.); and
    • Legality, which is the compliance with the applicable national and local environmental laws and regulations, other business-related laws, and other relevant laws, rules, and regulations.

Responsibility Framework

  • Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) is responsible for national leadership, funding, capacity building, validation, and guidance.
  • DENR Regional Offices are responsible for the regional coordination, funding, promotion, and the BDFE certification.
  • Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) is responsible for compliance assessment, endorsement, mapping, and monitoring.
  • Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) are responsible for field-level implementation, profiling, facilitation, and Local Government Unit (LGU) engagement.
  • Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and Other Bodies are responsible for policy oversight, endorsement, local coordination, and benefit-sharing arrangements.

Reference: https://elibrary.bmb.gov.ph/elibrary/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/dao2021-13.pdf

 

DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2022-04
Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Protection in Mining Operations

Purpose

DAO No. 2022-04 promotes responsible mining practices that ensure the conservation and protection of biodiversity, including the progressive and final rehabilitation of mined-out areas. It covers all phases of both on-shore and off-shore mining activities. The DAO outlines guiding principles, such as ecological connectivity, the precautionary approach, sustainable resource use, and stakeholder participation, to strengthen biodiversity efforts within mining operations. It also details specific actions for enhancing biodiversity conservation and incorporates biodiversity measures into the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of the mine. Additionally, it includes provisions on capacity building, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and transitional arrangements. SDMP is the five-year plan of the contractor, permit holder, or lessee of the mine or milling operation for the sustained improvement in the living standards of the host and neighboring communities.

Highlight Biodiversity Conservation Measures by Mining Stage

  • Exploration Stage
    • Conduct assessments to map ecosystems, cave systems, wildlife habitats, and critical services.
    • Involve DENR as needed in cave classification surveys.
    • Even with scientific uncertainty, the proponent must take preventative, cost‑effective measures to avoid environmental harm.
    • Include soil profiling, as well as water quality monitoring in rivers/tributaries/coastal zones.
    • Use less invasive technologies (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground-penetrating radar, etc.).
    • Avoid disturbing breeding/nesting grounds.
    • Enforce wildlife protection under Philippine Wildlife Act.
    • Conduct an economic valuation of ecosystem services to assess environmental costs.
  • After Exploration
    • Progressive Rehabilitation at every stage, including:
      • Reforestation and civil engineering (e.g., rip‑rap, retaining walls, etc.).
      • Proper storage/removal of excavated or hazardous materials.
      • Installation of water lines for rehabilitation growth.
      • Use of indigenous/native species; prohibition of invasive alien species.
      • Gradual replacement of exotic species with native ones within two years of DAO effectivity.
    • Development & Utilization Stage
      • Prepare a site‑specific rehabilitation plan aligned with the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Plan (EPEP). The rehabilitation plan is subject to DENR approval.
    • Closure, Decommissioning, and Rehabilitation
      • Monitoring and management must continue for up to 10 years (or less, per Contingent Liability and Rehabilitation Fund Steering Committee (CLRFSC) determination).
      • Implement biodiversity monitoring using BMB’s assessment tools.
      • Establish a community-based monitoring body with DENR collaboration

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

The BMB, together with the Conservation and Development Division of DENR Regional Offices, shall conduct yearly monitoring and evaluation using compliance tools developed by BMB in collaboration with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Reference: https://bmb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dao2022-04.pdf

 

DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2022-05
Rules and Regulations on Wood Charcoal

Purpose

DAO No. 2022-05 aims to promote the efficient use of wood raw materials, their by-products, and other forest resources for charcoal production by holders of tenure permits, wood processing permits, and private tree plantation owners. It also establishes a regulatory framework to ensure the sustainable production of wood charcoal in the Philippines, with the exception of mangrove species.

Objectives

  • Promote sustainable wood charcoal production, transport, and disposition; and
  • Ensure raw materials used for wood charcoal production come from legal and verified sources.

Scope and Coverage

The Order applies to all wood charcoal from non-mangrove raw materials harvested, gathered, or purchased in these areas:

  • Forest lands covered with DENR-issued cutting permits (e.g., under DAO No. 2018‑16 and DAO No. 2020‑06);
  • Forest lands covered with DENR tenure instruments for harvesting of tree plantations (i.e., under DAO No. 2020-18 such as Community Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA), Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), and Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA));
  • Forest lands covered with DENR tenure instruments with valid tree cutting permits (e.g., Special Forest Land Use Agreement (FLAg), Special Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism (FLAgT), Special Land Use Permit (SLUP));
  • Ancestral domains with Certificate of Ancestral Domains Title (CADT) and DENR-issued cutting permits;
  • Private tree plantations covered by Certificate of Tree Plantations Ownership (CTPO) and Private Tree Plantation Registration (PTPR);
  • Private titled lands with valid DENR‑issued cutting permits; and
  • Wood processing sites with DENR-issued permits and private yard wastes.

Wood Charcoal Production Permit (WCPP)

  • A WCPP is valid for three (3) years and may be renewed for another three-year Renewal may be applied for up to 60 days before expiration. Any individual, group, or entity involved in wood charcoal production and processing must secure a WCPP. Applicants may apply individually or collectively as cooperatives (e.g., issuing WCPP in the cooperative’s name). Additionally, Applicants with legal access to raw materials are strongly encouraged to apply for WCPP to promote vertical integration in the supply chain.

Reference: https://bmb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dao2022-05.pdf

 

DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2022-06
Guidelines for Sustainable Development Planning and Management of Peatlands

Purpose

DAO 2022‑06 establishes the state policy to promote conservation and sustainable development of peatlands and peatland resources across the Philippines. It applies to all stages of peatland management, ensuring peatlands are managed to sustain their functions and biodiversity.

Objectives

  • Ensure that programs in or around peatlands are aligned with the goals of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP);
  • Integrate peatland considerations into land-use planning, particularly in the LGUs’ Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs), Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs), and Forest Land Use Plans (FLUPs); and
  • Safeguard peatland ecosystems through increasing public awareness and information dissemination with LGUs, local communities, businesses, planners, developers, and other stakeholders.

Responsibility Framework

  • Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) – The BMB provides technical assistance and guidance to DENR Field Offices and oversees the monitoring and evaluation of peatland management efforts nationwide.
  • Forest Management Bureau (FMB) – The FMB provides technical assistance on forest fire management and prioritizes implementing strategies on the rehabilitation of peat swamp forests.
  • Land Management Bureau (LMB) – The LMB provides advisories for the consideration of provision of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 705 and PD No. 1067 in the evaluation on land title applications.
  • Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) – The MGB conducts mapping, geohazard and soil assessments, and provides technical input for the delineation and risk evaluation of peatlands.
  • Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) – The EMB ensures peatland concerns are integrated into environmental impact assessments and permitting processes.
  • Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) – The ERDB researches on the development of peatlands.
  • DENR Regional and Field Offices – These offices implement peatland programs on the ground, conduct local monitoring, and support community involvement and capacity building.

Reference: https://bmb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dao2022-06.pdf