Environment authorities and local government units (LGUs) should intensify information campaigns on wildlife protection in the province because some animals are already considered as “pests” by residents for destroying their livelihood and attacking residents.
Board Member Clarito Demaala IV, who filed a resolution on this at the Palawan Provincial Board (PB), said the campaigns should be in cooperation with the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) and other related government agencies for wildlife protection.
He said sea turtles (pawikan) have become pests to seaweeds farms and monitor lizards (bayawak) have been feeding on eggs and chickens in poultries.
“We must share the environment with them kasi hindi pa tayo nabubuhay nauna na sila d’yan. Kaya gusto sana natin na magkaroon ng awareness sa mga tao na hindi sila dapat patayin o pagbawalan d’yan sa gubat. Hindi natin sila pwedeng paalisin at kung tao naman ang papaalisin, mahirap din kasi maraming dapat i-consider,” Demaala pointed out.
Demaala also cited reports of crocodile attacks in Balabac and Bataraza towns, where residents are beginning to fight them back by catching them.
“It is also in connection with some attacks of crocodiles in Balabac. ‘Yong pag-atake ng bayawak sa mga poultry at sea turtles sa seaweeds, maliit na bagay pero alam mong nagiging dahilan para maapektuhan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan. Kaya we remind LGUs na kung wala pang ganitong awareness or kung mayroon na ay dapat tuloy-tuloy,” he said.
