Guimaras wildlife officers trained to boost protection

In a bid to strengthen the enforcement of wildlife conservation laws, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Guimaras conducted a two-day training for Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEOs) from August 6-7, 2024.

The training, held at Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR) in Barangay Lapaz, Nueva Valencia, was aimed at enhancing the officers’ ability to protect the province’s wildlife and coastal habitats.

Led by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Edgardo M. Rostata, the event was organized in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Nueva Valencia.

Sixteen participants, representing the Provincial Government, the Guimaras Environment and Natural Resources Office (GENRO), and five LGUs—Nueva Valencia, Buenavista, Jordan, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag—attended the training.

Selected DENR personnel also joined the session.

The training was initiated following requests from local government units and GENRO to support the monitoring and enforcement of Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. It also aimed to bolster the implementation of the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Program, focusing on habitat protection and restoration, which is part of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Act of 2019.

Participants learned critical skills in wildlife law enforcement, including how to implement laws related to wildlife protection, handle environmental case processes such as making arrests and filing reports, and monitor illegal wildlife trade.

They also studied the methods for locating and collecting wildlife to ensure compliance with national conservation efforts.

“Understanding and being responsible to their job as WEOs will help, not just the DENR but the community as well, to preserve the fauna and flora in our ecosystem,” said DENR-6 OIC-Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla, stressing the importance of collaboration. “We have a bigger role to act but with the strengthened partnership with affiliated LGUs, we know that we can accomplish bigger gains too.”

Lorilla also highlighted the weight of this responsibility, noting, “This responsibility is huge and heavy, but we need to implement and heighten our guard for our country’s precious flora and fauna.”

The training aligns with the province’s broader efforts to safeguard Guimaras’ rich biodiversity and fragile coastal ecosystems.

The island province is known for its marine reserves and lush wildlife, making the protection of its natural resources a top priority.

The DENR and local LGUs plan to continue training and expanding the network of wildlife enforcement officers to ensure compliance with national environmental laws and enhance the conservation of Guimaras’ wildlife and coastal areas. (DENR-6)