The establishment of a
RWRC developed as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), Region 8, through the leadership of Regional Executive
Director Primitivo C. Galinato Jr, signed a Memorandum of Agreement
with the City government of Tacloban headed by Mayor Alfred Romualdez
and the Paraclete Integrated Agro-Forest Development Association, Inc.
(PIAFDAI) led by its President Joel Regato. The simple ceremony was
held at the Mayor Alfred Social Action (MASA) Office, this city on
September 22, 2010.
In the said MOA, the
DENR and the City of
Tacloban shall co-manage the operation as well as the maintenance and
protection of the RWRC. The PIAFDI shall also help in maintenance and
protection of the forest covering their Community Based Forest
Management Area where the RWRC is co-located.
During the MOA signing
DENR’S Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service
Regional Technical Director Danilo A. Javier said that the 10 hectare
area intended for the RWRC shall be delineated by the DENR’s Land
Evaluation Party as it is located within the CBFM Project awarded to
the PIAFDAI per CBFM Agreement granted on December 18, 1999.
Red Galinato assured
the compliance of the DENR in the provision of P300,000 for the
establishment of the RWRC including expenses for food, medical
supplies as well as the marking and tagging materials for animals that
will be in custody by the center. In addition, the DENR shall provide
P100,000 annually for a period of three years. It shall also provide
assistance to the Tacloban City LGU in the conduct of manpower
capability building on wildlife rescue and handling.
On the other hand,
Mayor Romualdez committed to abide by the terms stated in the MOA such
as providing counterpart funding of P100,000 for the establishment of
the RWRC. The city government shall assist the DENR in the conduct of
resource assessment, develop, design and construct facilities for the
center clinic, laboratory, quarantine and office facilities. The City
Veterinary Office shall provide veterinary services to all animals in
custody of the RWRC. Also, it will provide funds for the
rehabilitation of denuded and degraded areas within the perimeter of
the center. Its City Environment and Natural Resources Office headed
by Mr. Jonathan Hijada shall take charge in the management,
maintenance and operation of the RWRC.
The PIAFDAI is tasked
to protect the entire forestland within the RWRC against illegal tree
cutters, kaingeneros and other forms of forest destruction. It shall
assist the City LGU and DENR in the prosecution of forestry and
environmental law violators.
The establishment of
the RWRC is mandated under R.A. 9147, the Wildlife Resources
Conservation and Protection Act and Department Administrative Order
No. 2000-46. Before the finalization of agreements for the
establishment of the RWRC, series of dialogues and consultations were
made by the DENR with the Barangay officials of Salvacion and
Sanggunian Panlungsod of Tacloban City since year 2008.
The RWRC in Barangay
Salvacion is located about 10 kilometers north of Tacloban City. The
area is within the CBFM project managed by the PIAFDI. This area was
selected because it is outside a protected area and very accessible to
Tacloban City which has a high probability of the occurrence of
illegal wildlife trading and confiscation, has available water supply
and access to animal food and clinic.
Witnesses to the MOA
signing are: CENR Officer Marciano Talavera of DENR-CENRO Palo, Leyte,
City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jonathan Hijada,
Protected Areas and Wildlife Division Chief Corazon Makabenta and
other staff from the DENR and the City of Tacloban.
