"November 15,
1979"
"MNR ADMINISTRATIVE
ORDER No. 12, Series of 1979"
"SUBJECT: Regulations
for the Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Philippines."
"1. In line with
the President's desire for the conservation of marine turtles as enunciated
in Executive Order No. 542, dated June 26, 1979, the following regulations
are hereby promulgated for strict compliance of all concerned:
"(a) Except
in Regions 9 and 12, no new permits for collecting, gathering, utilizing,
possessing, transporting, removing and/or disposing of marine turtles, turtle
eggs and its by-products shall be issued from the date of effectivity of
this order.
"(b) In Regions
9 and 12, licenses or permits shall be issued by the Bureau of Forest Development
to collect, gather, utilize and dispose of marine turtles, turtle eggs and
its by-products, provided that the allowable quantity shall be specified
in the permit by the Director of Forest Development and provided, further,
that such harvest, except turtle eggs, shall be sold only to the BFD and
BFAR and such other agencies to be authorized by the Minister of Natural
Resources a prices duly prescribed.
The Government
shall then utilize and dispose of these harvests in support of the pawikan
conservation program particularly to assure the immediate setting up of
turtle sanctuaries and to maintain and increase the breeding population.
"(c) All existing
permits shall be valid only up to December 1979, or if the permits are to
expire earlier than December 1979, the same shall no longer be renewed or
extended except as provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) herein above.
"(d) Exports
of marine turtles, turtle eggs and its by- products thereof of whatever
kind or state are hereby banned .
"(e) Any person
who shall collect, gather, utilize, possess, transport, remove, export and/or
dispose of marine turtles, turtle eggs or any of its by-products in violation
of the provision of this Order shall be punished by a fine of not more than
P600.00 or imprisonment of not more than six (6) months or both, in the
sound discretion of the courts. If the violator is a permittee his or her
permit shall be automatically cancelled.
"2. Enforcement
of the provisions of this Order shall be the responsibility of the BFD and
BFAR. The Minister of Natural Resources may deputize other competent persons
a may be necessary in the successful enforcement of this Order
"3. This Order
shall include not only marine turtles described by BFD Administrative Order
No. 1 dated July 10,1974, but also soft-shelled or fresh water turtles (Trionyx
sp.)
"4. This Order
amends / modifies / supersedes accordingly, previous order / issuances inconsistent
herewith.
"5. This Order
shall take effect sixty (60) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or two newspaper of general circulation .
J. ANTONIO AGUENZA
Officer-in- charge
Ministry of Natural Resources