[ PROCLAMATION NO. 1030, June 23, 1997 ]

DECLARING THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER (TARSIUS SYRICHTA) AS A SPECIALLY PROTECTED FAUNAL SPECIES OF THE PHILIPPINES



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WHEREAS, the Tarsius syrichta, commonly known as the Philippine Tarsier, is an endemic species found in the southeastern part of the Philippine archipelago, particularly on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Tarsier offers immense ecological, aesthetic, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the country and to the Filipino people;

WHEREAS, the preservation of the Philippine Tarsier is a matter of national concern since it forms part of the Philippines' heritage;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Tarsier is vanishing due to unabated destructive activities within its known habitats;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, do hereby proclaim and declare the Philippine Tarsier as a Specially Protected Faunal Species of the Philippines.

In pursuit thereof, the hunting, killing, wounding, taking away or possession of the Philippine Tarsier and the conduct of activities destructive of its habitats are hereby prohibited. However, the possession of the Philippine Tarsier for educational, scientific or conservation-centered research purposes may be allowed upon certification by the DENR Secretary.

To ensure the effective enforcement of this prohibition, the DENR is hereby directed to spearhead the undertaking of all activities leading to the establishment of appropriate sanctuaries to preserve and protect the species, as prescribed under the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1991.

The DENR is also tasked to collaborate with other concerned government agencies, NGOs, local government units and local communities in the conduct of accelerated and expanded field researches and to avail of financial support and technical cooperation from local and international entities, as may be deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this Proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Adopted: 23 June 1997

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<th width="50%" scope="row"><div align="left">(SGD.) FIDEL V. RAMOS </div></th>
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<th scope="row"><div align="left">President of the Philippines</div></th>
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By the President:

(SGD.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary
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