DENR Antique conducts briefing on Wildlife Act among fisherfolk
In order to educate the people on the laws governing protection and conservation of the different endangered flora and fauna, officials and personnel of DENR CENRO San Jose, Antique had led the conduct of a briefing/information drive on RA 9147 otherwise known as Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act among the coastal residents of San Jose, Antique.
This after a report reached the office of DENR-CENRO San Jose that an endangered mammal, was stranded and slaughtered by an unidentified people in the area. The head of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Antique Provincial Office Rosemary Nacisvalencia relayed this report to the DENR field office.
The Office of CENRO Jesse L. Vego immediately dispatched his personnel to the area to verify the veracity of the report and it was found out that the slaughtered mammal is a dolphin, one of the endangered marine species. And to avoid repetition of the same incident and for the fisherfolk to be aware about the program for its protection and conservation, an information drive was immediately conducted at the residence of ex-Brgy. Executive Domingo Del Rosario, attended by 34 Barangay officials and residents of San Fernando headed by Barangay Captain Joseph Hiponia.
Highlights of the briefing focused on Wildlife Protection Act (DENR); Sections 97 and 98 of RA 8550 or the Fishery Code of the Philippines; Registration of Pump boats (BFAR); Role of the Philippine Maritime Group in the Enforcement of Fishery Laws; Protection of Marine Sanctuary located at Brgy. Dalipe, San Jose (LGU-San Jose) and Reports on Illegal Fishing/Insurgency (79IB). Among the discussants were Director Nacisvalencia, SPO2 Florencio Oriel of PMG; 602CDC Msgt. Danilo Caberoy; Mr. Cornelius Yanga of LGU San Jose; BFC Paladio Pasayloon of 79th IB and Forester Rosemarie Maravilla of CENRO San Jose.
Maravilla explained in detail the laws, rules and regulations governing RA 9147 that prohibits hunting; killing and collecting endangered flora and fauna to include marine species like dugong, dolphins and turtles. Fines for violators ranges from P100, 000.00 to P1-M and/or an imprisonment of 6 to 12 years.
DENR PENRO Antique Vicente Sardina likewise stressed the appeal of the DENR to the public to report immediately to the nearest DENR office any report of captured, trapped, rescued or possession of Pawikans for documentation, tagging and eventual release to its habitat.