“Hunting of wildlife rampant in Negros”

The hunting of wildlife is still rampant in Negros island even as environmentalists have expressed concern over this malpractice against the natural habitat of animals.

Some four years after the Provincial Board passed an ordinance regulating the use of air guns in a bid to curb wildlife hunting, authorities concede that the illegal activity remain rampant in Negros Oriental.

Both Vice-Governor Jose “Petit” Baldado, an active advocate for wildlife conservation and Supt. Alet Virtucio, Deputy Provincial Commander acknowledged that there is still much left to be done to save our wildlife from going extinct.

Authored by then Board Member now 3rd District Rep. Pryde Henry Teves, the ordinance sought to regulate the transport and use of air guns within the province. The measure provides monetary penalties of up to P 5,000.00 and jail sentence of up to three months for persons who carry and use their guns outside of their homes, in a duly accredited firing range, inside an air gun repair shop and tournament destinations.

Among the towns considered as hotspots for the unbridled hunting and selling of wildlife are: Pamplona, Siaton, Basay, Ayungon and Guihulngan.

However, officials attribute to the near zero apprehension of violators and the continued hunting of wildlife to several factors: lack of police personnel and the “half-hearted cooperation of some line agencies.”

The drive for wildlife conservation does not only involve arresting would be wildlife hunters, it also requires coordination among agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for care of rescued wildlife and the aggressive campaign to educate the people, especially the young to impress upon them the value of protecting and conserving wildlife.

Baldado, who has been actively promoting his advocacy for wildlife conservation appealed to the designated Provincial Environment Desk Officers or PEDOs to revitalize its drive against poachers and offenders of our environmental laws by reaching out and involving the community.(By Dems Demecillo)