Sicogon Wildlife Sanctuary Board discusses key environmental concerns

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The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary (SIWS) convened for its second-quarter meeting of 2024 at the New Beach Head Resort in Barangay Barosbos, Carles, Iloilo.

The meeting on May 10, 2024, was presided over by DENR 6 Regional Executive Director and PAMB Chairperson Livino B. Duran.

Attendees included PENR Officer Salvador Manglinong Jr., CENR Officer Rene Abordo, Designated Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Romeo L. Launio, and representatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, and local communities.

Key topics discussed were the management of water resources, residential structures, and the influx of tourists, particularly hikers at Mt. Opao. Concerns were raised about the potential disturbances to the ecosystem caused by visitors.

The board considered measures such as establishing a single entry and exit point, providing trained tour guides, creating pre-planned itineraries, and stricter monitoring of tourist arrivals.

Duran stressed the importance of balancing environmental preservation with economic benefits by creating policies that are not overly restrictive.

PASu Launio was tasked with expediting the documentation and planning for a new building for the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) to better serve the public and provide a suitable workspace for personnel.

The meeting also highlighted the movement of Visayan warty pigs (Sus cebifrons) due to drying roosting sites caused by extreme heat. This observation was made possible through camera traps provided by the Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corporation (SITEC), which has applied for PAMB membership and pledged to collaborate with DENR 6 to monitor wildlife effectively.

SIWS was designated a protected area under Republic Act 11933, the “Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary Act.” The sanctuary is home to diverse flora and fauna, including Molave, Narra, White Lauan, Red Lauan, Grass owls, Pied trillers, and Philippine monkeys.

“The Sicogon Island Wildlife Sanctuary is a vital ecosystem that hosts a diverse array of species. It is vital for us to preserve this critical habitat. DENR 6 will continue to join hands with stakeholders to ensure that the laws are properly implemented and that there is effective management of resources in the sanctuary for the benefit of all,” Duran said.