Wildlife permits implementation strengthened in airports, piers

CEBU, Philippines - In an effort to intensify and strengthen its campaign against the movement of wildlife without appropriate permits or licenses, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - 7  has alerted its wildlife monitoring units  in strategic airports and seaports in the region.

DENR-7 has recently conducted a forum on wildlife, fishery intelligence and investigation in collaboration with the Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance-7, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7, and other government agencies.

Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 executive regional director said that this is another first in Region 7 to have an activity in close partnership with notable international organizations in achieving a goal to effectively enforce wildlife protection and conservation laws, rules and regulations.

The event is also jointly organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Wildlife Enforcement Network, and the United States Coral Triangle Initiative.

Montejo said the activity aimed to share and formulate a dialogue on the current wildlife enforcement policy implementation, lesson points, possible enhancement and innovations.

 The event, which was participated in mostly by police environment desk officers and law enforcement authorities, was part of a series of activities aimed to enhance and promote new strategies for sustainable wildlife enforcement.

The activities include workshops and training that would feature wildlife enforcement achievements and best practices that could be applied in Central Visayas.  (FREEMAN)