By Catherine J. Teves
MANILA, (PNA) -– The government further gained headway in saving Philippine biodiversity, boosted by its law enforcement-boosting convergence strategy that mobilizes public and private partners for the undertaking.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Ramon Paje said the convergence resulted in nationwide confiscation of illegally harvested forest products and nearly 25 million board feet of contraband timber as of June 2013 as well as 8,842 exotic and endemic birds, insects, reptiles and mammals from January 2010 toAugust 2012.
”Biodiversity is the vital resource upon which every generation depends on,” he said, explaining need for such action.
Paje noted that the convergence-led confiscations are in line with Executive Order 23 series 2011, which bans logging in natural and residual forests nationwide, and Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001).
EO 23 and RA 9147 are also two of government’s instruments for enhancing management of the Philippines’ 240 protected areas (PAs) under RA 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992).
PAs are areas which receive protection because of recognized natural, ecological and/or cultural values there.
This month, Philippine PA Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve formally assumed status as the country’s fifth and Southeast Asia’s 33rd ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP).
AHPs serve as models for PA management as well as strategic protection and conservation areas in Southeast Asia.
Environment chiefs of ASEAN declare PAs as AHPs since theorganization believes uniqueness, diversity and notable values there deserve the highest recognition so importance of these sites as conservation areas can be appreciated internationally to further promote protection there.
”Deterioration of the environment persisted long before ill effects of global warming took center stage in development discourses,” Paje noted, recalling why ASEAN decided to establish AHPs.
In 2011, government established its National Greening Program (NGP) through EO 26 to fast-track reforestation nationwide as experts warned forest loss is among threats to biodiversity.
Citing latest available data, Paje earlier said actual nationwide reforestation under NGP already exceeded the 300,000 hectares collective planting target for 2011 and 2012.
”The program accomplished 350,311 has. of forestland then,” he said.
EO 26 and EO 23 are among pillars of government’s forest protection bid.
Through EO 23, DENR and its partners the interior and defense departments, Philippine National Police and the armed forces continue pursuing efforts on collectively protecting the country’s remaining forest cover.
DENR already filed 1,026 cases against suspected illegal logging perpetrators, Paje said.
”Such action resulted in conviction of 144 persons so far,” he said.
Earlier, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) reported the Philippines is among the world’s 18 mega-diverse countries, hosting two-thirds of Earth’s biodiversity and between 70 percent and 80 percent of plant and animal species on the planet.
CBD noted the Philippines is also among the world’s biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened species.
Paje said DENR and its partners will further pursue implementation of RA 9147, providing daily 24-hour wildlife traffic monitoring of the country’s international air and sea ports.
”Government so far deputized 1,266 enforcement officers nationwide,” he said.
Paje said the enforcers include LGU personnel, community volunteers, the police and military as well as National Bureau of Investigation operatives.
The group arrests violators and confiscates illegally collected, possessed and traded wildlife, he noted.
Paje said DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau as well as field offices conducted 104 separate operations leading to confiscation of various wildlife species during the January 2010-August 2012 period.
Authorities concerned also seized thousands of shells and sea fans aside from over a million kilos of sea whips, corals, clams, shells, pangolin meat and scales, turtle shells, scutes, snake meat and skin, lip oysters, bird’s nest and hammer heads, he added.