The House Committee on Natural Resources approved on Wednesday a bill that imposes higher penalties to those who will exploit and abuse the wildlife in the country.

The consolidated measure will replace the Republic Act 9147, or Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which took effect during former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s regime in 2001.

Once the new bill is enacted, violators with grave offenses shall face a fine of P200,000 to P2 million and a prison term for 12 years and one day to 20 years.

Meanwhile, those who have minor offenses shall be sanctioned for P20,000 and imprisoned for one month and one day imprisonment.

The current law punishes exploiters to a maximum of six years and one day to 12 years imprisonment, and a fine of P100,000 to P1 million. Those with minor crimes are entitled to a prison term of 10 days and a P200 fine.

Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez said that he is pleased with this move, “I am happy because of the penalties. We are prescribing longer prison terms and higher fines for those who abuse our wildlife, especially endangered species.”

The existing law, the co-author added, “has to be updated, improved and strengthened to meet and address the demands and problems we have today.”

“There are 133 terrestrial mammals, 230 birds, 244 reptiles, and 97 amphibian species, and 120 fishes that can be found only here,” Rodriguez shared.

The proposed law assigns the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development in implementing the rules and regulations.

Photo Credit: Facebook/Rufus B. Rodriguez