DENR to monitor wildlife shipments

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the strict monitoring of wildlife shipments entering or leaving the country to put an end to poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Cimatu issued a memorandum directing all regional directors of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to monitor ports of entry, marketplaces and other establishments engaged in the wildlife trade.

“It is about time that we strictly enforce the provisions of Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act, in order for us to address the problem of wildlife trafficking in the country,” Cimatu said.

He also directed the regional directors to work on increasing public awareness on the need to protect wildlife resources.

“We also need to heighten our information campaign to effectively raise awareness and educate the public about wildlife crimes and how local communities can help protect and conserve the country’s rich biological diversity,” Cimatu said.

He said the DENR will use the full force of the law to go after perpetrators of wildlife crimes.

He cited the case of two people whom the DENR-attached agency Palawan Council for Sustainable Development sued in court for the death of 70 marine turtles or pawikan in the Palawan town of Dumaran last month.