Friday, December 08, 2006 Sustainable turtle protection dependent on LGUs
THE continuity and sustainability of the turtle preservation advocacy is in the hands of local government units (LGU) since it is they who have the funding, influence, and capacity to do so.
Renato Cruz, the national chair of the Turtle Preservation Task Force under the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), issued this statement Thursday at the Grand Men Seng Hotel where the one-day first Turtle Summit was held.
Cruz said for the National Government, who does not have the funding for sustainable implementation, the best that they can do is to advocate and provide supporting policies and regulations for the preservation of turtles.
The funding of the implementation may be sourced out from the pork barrel of the local congressmen or from the local revenue, which sadly depends on whether the LGU is concerned and will support the cause.
Cruz said it is a challenge for them to educate and elicit support from LGUs who have turtles' nesting places in their locality but added that change is foreseen with the way they have responded to the call for a Turtle Summit.
Councilor Leonardo Avila III, who is designated by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as Task Force Pawikan Davao Chair, said neighboring cities and provinces have manifested support for turtle preservation.
In fact, Avila said he has been receiving numerous calls and communications over turtle sightings in areas outside Davao City seeking information about turtle protection.
Avila added that the Turtle Summit is aimed at educating stakeholders on the natural and conducive environment conditions for turtle communities, formalize guidelines in proper turtle protection, and to formulate action plans especially in area that have turtles nests.
Summit participants include representatives from Sta. Cruz and Malita in Davao del Sur, Tagum City, Panabo City and the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, and Lupon, Banay-banay and Baganga in Davao Oriental. (GLP)
