PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, (PNA) — In pursuit of judicious implementation of Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), will host the Wildlife Management Congress in Puerto Princesa on September 19.
PCSD spokesperson Alex Marcaida said the main objective of the forum is to come up with an immediate collaborative action plan towards addressing current slacks in enforcing the Wildlife Act in Palawan.
“We are hoping that by the end of this congress, we will be able to draw down the lines for us to refer to every time there is apprehension of those who commit illegal activities against the environment. We are also encountering a lot of problems when it comes to the implementation of RA 9147, or when we apprehend individuals who commit crime against the environment,” he said.
Bearing the theme “Safeguarding Ecological and Economic Benefits of Palawan Wildlife through Conservation, Protection and Sustainable Use,” Palawan has many examples of exemplary practice in wildlife management and human capacity building innovations ranging from adaptations of scientific developments, to community-based natural resource management and empowerment programs.
Both educational and natural resource management transformation efforts in Palawan also stand to benefit from the regional exposure and expertise.
“The planning and staging of this congress is an exciting collaboration between NGOs, government agencies, educational institutions, and extremely competent environmental legal counsels,” Marcaida said.
As a side event, a three-day wildlife photo and product exhibit at the activity lobby of Robinson’s Place-Palawan will take place.
Marcaida is encouraging stakeholders in the province to engage fully in all the planned opportunities.
“Be one with us in learning, sharing and strengthening our continuing ties towards an efficient enforcement of RA 9147 in the province,” Marcaida said.
He added that the Wildlife Congress will be informative, exciting, and an ideal venue to establish new and lasting partnerships to benefit wildlife and their management.