Dear PAO,

I used to do missionary work after I graduated from college, which allowed me to immerse myself in the lives of those in the rural areas, especially some of those who belong to indigenous groups. Since community quarantines have been in place for months now, I have not been able to visit them though we would often exchange text messages. Recently, a young woman from one of the indigenous groups sent me a message, asking if it would be okay for her to collect wildlife plants. She has never thought of anything wrong about collecting as it has been a common practice by their group, but she just wants to make sure it is okay.|

Venus

Dear Venus,

The pertinent law relating to protection of wildlife resources is Republic Act (RA) 9147, otherwise known as the 'Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.' Pursuant to said law, the collection of plants and other wildlife resources may be allowed as long as it is done in the proper manner. Those belonging to the indigenous groups are also allowed to collect such common wildlife resources if it is for traditional use. It bears stressing, though, that if what is being collected involves threatened wildlife species, it must be for scientific or breeding purposes and the party collecting must be duly accredited. For guidance, it is specifically provided under Sections 7 and 23 of RA 9147 that: