Resolution Approving the Guidelines on the Selection and Management of Flagship Species by the Local Government Units

December 15, 2017

Excerpts from the Minutes of the 239th PCSD Regular Meeting Governor's Conference Room, 2/F Capitol Complex Puerto Princesa City, Palawan December 15, 2017.

PCSD RESOLUTION NO. 609-17

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE GUIDELINES ON THE SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF FLAGSHIP SPECIES BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

WHEREAS, Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001" was approved on July 30, 2001, Section 4 thereof defines that in the province of Palawan the respective jurisdiction conferred to DENR and DA is vested with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) pursuant to Republic Act 7611;

WHEREAS, Section 35 of RA 9147 indicates that Local Government Unit shall initiate conservation measures for endemic species in their areas. For this purpose, it may adopt flagship species which shall serve as emblems of conservation for the local government concerned;

WHEREAS, Rule 35.1 of the Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 01, series of 2004 ("Joint Implementing Rules and Regulations Pursuant to RA 9147") which was approved on May 18, 2004 stipulates that the Legislative Council of the Local Government Units (LGUs) shall enact ordinances implementing this provision. Further, it states that LGUs may seek technical assistance from the PCSD in adopting conservation measures for their selected flagship species;

WHEREAS, Section 4 of the PCSD Administrative Order No. 12 ("Detailed Guidelines in the Implementation of Republic Act No. 9147 and Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 1") provides that the Palawan Wildlife Management Committee (PWMC) shall assist PCSD in the proper implementation of the said Administrative Order;

WHEREAS, the PWMC during its meeting on October 27, 2015 reviewed the draft "Guidelines on the Selection and Management of Flagship Species by the Local Government Units," and approved the same for recommendation to the PCSD/Council and for the latter's subsequent approval;

NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly seconded, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved to adopt as it is hereby adopted the "GUIDELINES ON THE SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF FLAGSHIP SPECIES BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS," to read as follows:

SECTION 1. Purpose. — In line with PCSD's mandate to provide comprehensive framework for the sustainable development of Palawan compatible with protecting and enhancing the natural resources and endangered environment of the province, these guidelines are hereby provided to guide the Local Government Units in the selection, adoption and management of flagship species that would ensure flagships functionality in order to attain conservation goals in a long term basis.

SECTION 2. Objectives. — In order to attain the purpose of these guidelines, the following objectives are hereby set:

1. To select a simple, instantly recognizable flagship species that evokes a positive emotional response among members of the target audience, and evokes feelings of trust, affection, and a sense of Pride in the local environment;

2. To conserve, protect and manage endemic species of wild plants and animals and their habitats particularly those that are threatened;

3. To promote awareness on the significance of the species and their habitats;

4. To encourage the public to support and create sense of ownership in the management programs and other related activities implemented for the species; and,

5. To prevent species extinction.

SECTION 3. Scope of Application. — The provisions of this Order shall apply to all Philippine and Palawan Endemic terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species found in the province of Palawan. This Order shall be supplementary to the provisions of RA 9147 and PCSD Administrative Order No. 12.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. —

a. Analogue Species — species that replaces the ecological role of an extinct species to restore a lost ecological function;

b. Appearance — perception of how attractive a species is;

c. Economic Value — species which have actual or potential value in trade or utilization for commercial purpose;

d. Endemic Species — geographic distribution of a species is restricted to Palawan or to the country;

e. Flagship Species — known charismatic species that serve as a symbol or focus point to raise environmental consciousness;

f. Keystone species — are species whose impact on its community or ecosystem are larger and greater than would be expected from its relative abundance or total biomass in the environment;

g. LGU — refers to city or municipal level of Local Government Unit;

h. Model Species — species kept in captivity for research, learn husbandry and breeding techniques that can be applied to closely related species;

i. Rare Species — species that are considered less common, that is, it is rarely observed and studied;

j. Special Characteristic — Presence or absence of unusual or unique ecological or behavioral characteristics, e.g., the species are considered keystone species or Umbrella Species or Analogue Species or Model Species, etc.;

k. Species Action Plan — a document that is made through multi-stakeholder workshop which provides detailed conservation actions and management plans needed by the species for a 5-year period;

l. Threatened Species — a general term to denote species or subspecies considered as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or other accepted categories of wildlife whose population is at risk of extinction;

m. Traditional Significance — such as utilization of wildlife by indigenous people in accordance with written or unwritten rules, usage, customs and practices traditionally observed, accepted and recognized by them;

n. Umbrella species — species whose conservation confers protection to a large number of co-occurring species;

o. Wildlife — means wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all developmental stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated.

SECTION 4. n Procedure in the Selection of Flagship Species. —

The PCSD Staff concerned shall provide LGU a list of Palawan endemic species and their profile based on the best scientific information available, and from which LGU can select its flagship species based on the criteria set herein. It may also opt to conduct biodiversity assessment, rapid assessment or interview with the community in order to identify and select wildlife species found within its political jurisdiction.

4.1. Species Selection and Criteria

 Species Selection

4.1.1 Uses. LGU shall identify needed uses of flagships. The typology of conservation actions outlined in the criteria below provides a starting point for identifying potential uses. Ideally, a flagship should facilitate multiple conservation actions interlinked in practice.

4.1.2 Matching Audiences to Species. As existing attitudes can catalyze actions and enable conservation goals, it shall be necessary for LGU to gather data, through focus group discussion or any other means, on the attitudes of identified local or issue-related audiences towards potential flagship species in order to give guidance on what species that local communities would likely support.

 Criteria

4.1.3 Local Government Unit (LGUs) may select from the criteria indicated in the following depending on its purpose or intended use of flagship species:

 

Criteria for the Selection of Flagship Species Depending on the Intended Uses (adopted from Barua, et al. 2011)

 

 

4.2 Requisite Characteristics of a flagship species. The selection must ensure that flagship species must have the following characteristics:

4.2.1 Must be local or endemic to symbolize the uniqueness of the conservation target area to foster a sense of local pride,

4.2.2 Must be rare species which creates a sense of pride in the local environment. Pride of place is a powerful emotion that can motivate people to change their behaviors and empower them to take environmental action,

4.2.3 Must be charismatic or appealing to the target audience,

4.2.4 Must be representative of the conservation target area by living in its habitat or ecosystem, and

4.2.5 Must have no negative perceptions among local people, such as being crop pest, being dangerous, or have existing cultural connotations that detract from or compete with campaign's conservation messages.

4.3. Adoption and Declaration of Flagship Species by the LGU

 After LGU has selected its flagship species based on the procedures and selection criteria provided under Section 4 hereof, it shall adopt and declare the selected flagship species through municipal ordinance and the said ordinance must indicate specific provision on the allocation of fund for the conservation and management of the selected flagship species.

SECTION 5. Management of the Selected Flagship Species. —

The LGU thru its ECAN Board shall develop a 5-year Species Action Plan (SAP) or Conservation Strategies for the management and conservation of flagship species. The SAP shall be developed through a multi-stakeholder workshop organized by the LGU or ECAN Board. The LGU or ECAN Board may tap the PCSD or any of its committees/sub-committees or other concerned entities for their participation in the formulation of SAP. The PWMC-PCSD may be regularly tapped by the LGU concerned for technical assistance especially in the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of SAP/Conservation Strategies.

SECTION 6. Amendment. — Amendments to the provisions of these guidelines shall be made whenever found valid and necessary.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and upon deposit to the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the UP Law Center, Diliman, Quezon City.

SO ORDERED.

Puerto Princesa City, this 15th day of December 2017.

APPROVED FOR THE COUNCIL:

(SGD.) VICTORINO DENNIS M. SOCRATESPresiding Officer, Vice-Chair

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official copy. Duplication of Section 4.