In order to educate the people on the laws governing protection and conservation of the different endangered flora and fauna, officials and personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Community Environment and Natural Resource Office (Cenro) of San Jose, Antique had led the conduct of a briefing on Republic Act (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 Antique Provincial Office Rosemary Nacisvalencia relayed this report to the DENR field office.
The Office of Cenro head 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 fisherfolks to be aware about the program for its protection and conservation, an information drive was immediately conducted at the residence of former barangay chairman Domingo del Rosario, attended by 34 barangay officials and residents of San Fernando headed by Barangay Chairman 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 (pmg/602 CDC); Protection of Marine Sanctuary located at Barangay 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 Master Sergeant Danilo Caberoy; Cornelius Yanga of 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 Antique’s 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.
Regional Executive Director Julian D. Amador also stressed that "this is in line with the thrust of the DENR to promote awareness, appreciation and understanding of the importance and benefits derived from our marine resources." Amador also disclosed that marine turtle rescuers were given incentives/citations/awards by the pawikan Conservation Program as an incentive aimed to encourage support for the protection and conservation of this marine species.
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