Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Plants and Their Categories

DENR Administrative Order No. 2026-20

Subject: Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Plants and Their Categories

Published: The Manila Times, April 16, 2026 . Acknowledged: ONAR, UP Law Center, April 20, 2026 . Pages: 44

Legal Basis

Pursuant to Section 22 of RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act), Section 18(c) of EO 192 s. 1987 (Reorganization Act of the DENR), and DAO 2025-23 (Updated Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan).

SECTION 1. Basic Policy

It is the policy of the State to ensure the sustainable use, development, management, protection, and conservation of the country's environment and natural resources, and to ensure equitable sharing of benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of present and future generations. The State shall conserve the country's wildlife resources and their habitats for ecological and economic sustainability.

SECTION 2. Objectives

This Order updates the National List and provides conservation measures aimed at:

• Providing the basis for prioritizing species conservation to reverse extinction risk among threatened plants
• Regulating utilization, trade, and movement of listed species
• Strengthening enforcement mechanisms under RA 9147

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms (excerpts)

• CITES Appendices I-III - International trade controls per Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, ranging from prohibited (App. I) to permit-controlled (App. II) to country-requested cooperative regulation (App. III)
• Endemic species - species/subspecies naturally occurring only within the country or specific areas
• Threatened Species - critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or other accepted categories of wildlife whose populations are at risk of extinction. Includes infraspecific ranks (subspecies, variety, forma).
• Critically Endangered Species - species, subspecies, variety, or other infraspecific category facing extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future
• Other Wildlife Species - all species or infraspecific categories not categorized as threatened
• Plants - living organisms including angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, and bryophytes living on land, in inland waters, and marine environments

SECTION 14. Illegal Acts and Penalties

It shall be unlawful for any person, group, or entity to collect and/or trade wild plant species listed hereof, unless covered by a permit issued by DENR. Penalties under Section 28 of RA 9147 shall apply for violations against threatened species listed.

SECTION 16. Repealing Clause

DAO 2017-11 is hereby repealed. All Orders, Memoranda, and Circulars inconsistent herewith are revoked or amended accordingly.

SECTION 17. Effectivity

Takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and upon filing of three (3) certified copies with ONAR and the UP Law Center.

Signed by Secretary Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, CESO I. The full annex containing the updated species list (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Other Wildlife Species categories) is in the source PDF.