A former top government official has noted the low implementation of Negros Oriental’s existing wildlife ordinance among the local government units in the province.
Former Environment Secretary Angel Alcala, during the recent pre-launching of the 7th Philippine Bird Festival in Dumaguete City, scored the LGUs in the province for the poor enforcement of the provincial wildlife law.
“The problem is the LGUs are not implementing this ordinance in Negros Oriental,” said Alcala.
Alcala’s observation was echoed by Oscar Mongcopa, chief of the Protected Area Wildlife Sector of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources in the Province. “Until now, there is a need for LGUs to enforce the wildlife ordinance,” Mongcopa said.
The Province in 2001 passed Ordinance No. 2 authored by then Vice Governor Jose Baldado declaring the hunting and capture of wildlife in Negros Oriental unlawful followed by another ordinance declaring the month of November as Wildlife Conservation Month every year in the Province.
Despite the provincial government’s call to strictly enforce said law, the poaching of wildlife continues to thrive although Mongcopa stressed that it is not rampant in the province. “We have received reports of hunting incidents of wildlife especially the wild ducks in Basay town.”
He explained that DENR is not authorized to apprehend poachers as this is the responsibility of the LGUs and the police.
Mongcopa urged the mayors to prioritize enforcing the ordinance in their areas. “I am appealing to the mayors to order their Environment and Natural Resources Officers to monitor poaching activities in their LGUs and for their police force to apprehend those caught violating the ordinance,” he said.
Negros Oriental is home to the Visayan Spotted Deer which is now facing extinction due to hunting and habitat alteration. The deer is endemic only to the provinces of Negros Oriental and Panay. (RMN/PIA)