DENR asked: Check display of Tarsiers

The continued inaction of government authorities on the commercial display of the Tarsiers again caught public attention as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urged to review wildlife registration certificates issued to tourism establishments here.

As new reports surface on the maltreatment of caged and captive tarsiers, Environmental Legal Assistance Center (Elac) executive director Raul Barbarona called on the DENR to review all certificates of wildlife farm permits it issued to business establishments especially in the towns of Loboc and Loay.

“Since the issuance of the permits is legally binding on the part of the permittees, then there should be a legal process for its revocation based on documented violations,” Barbarona said.

The DENR should likewise check whether these establishments holding captive tarsiers are observing the guidelines contained in the DENR certifications, such as their technical capabilities to hold captive the threatened species.

After an incident occurred between a tourist and a Cebu-based tour guide who allowed his guests to poke and force-feed the tarsiers in one establishment in Loboc, the issue regarding the permittees’ capability to hold the tarsiers in its possession has died down without any recommendations coming from the DENR.

Barbarona received reports that tourists visiting tarsier viewing sites in Loboc continue to hold the tiny species and even use camera flash when taking pictures within a close distance from the tarsiers.

According to Barbarona, instead of correcting and monitoring these reported incidents, “the DENR seems to be paying no attention on this unrestrained abuse”.

For his part, provincial board member Alfonso Damalerio II, principal author of an ordinance prohibiting the display of tarsiers outside its natural habitat, said the implementation of the provincial measure is already an executive prerogative.

There have been reports that the ordinance remains inutile as the executive has not crafted its implementing rules and regulations.

Barbarona said, the provincial government should check whether the DENR has issued new wildlife farm permits and ensure that compliance with the permit’s guidelines is followed.

‘Tardy’ lawmakers delay SP sessions

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) yesterday again failed to convene on time for its regular session as some board members continue to be either tardy or absent.

For quite some time now, the provincial board has been besieged by tardiness and absenteeism among lawmakers causing its failure to reach a quorum and for sessions to formally commence on time.

Yesterday, in its first session for the year 2010, legislative staff and mediamen who cover the weekly assembly of the provincial lawmaking body could only wait in silent frustration as Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera called a pre-conference with board members who were present minutes before 12 noon.

Legislative aides constantly monitoring if a quorum could be reached for the regular session said “some board members could not report punctually”.

“Old bad habits are simply hard to break,” said one SP staff who observed the perennial delays in holding sessions.

Although Vice Gov. Herrera reported at his office on time (9 a.m.), he could not call the usual pre-conference meeting prior to the session proper due to the absence of several board members.

Some board members were already at the Capitol compound but were attending to appointments with constituents who flocked the legislative offices yesterday.

Even the office of the vice governor was packed with visitors who were waiting to seek audience with Herrera.

With a few months to go before the May 2010 Elections, tardiness and absences is expected to plague SP sessions with four board members running for mayor in their respective hometowns.

The issue of tardiness had been the object of a resolution adopted by the SP on July 2007, as Herrera was obviously irked by late comers among his colleagues. The SP had been the subject of attacks when its sessions, which supposedly starts at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., are delayed and usually held at 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

In an effort to impose discipline among tardy lawmakers, the SP resolution which in effect changed its House Rules slapped fines of P500 for members who come late on session days after the roll call is made.

However, the continued frequent tardiness and absences of some members indicate that the resolution seeking to apply sanctions against its members is not being enforced.

“Clearly, the sessions are purposely delayed to accommodate board members who still come late,” said an SP staff who refused to be identified.

Bohol bans tarsiers display

By Kit Bagaipo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:13:00 02/26/2009

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — An international wildlife foundation has lauded Bohol lawmakers for its landmark legislation banning the viewing of tarsiers outside of their natural habitats.

The praises from the Born Free Foundation, an international wildlife charity group based in the United Kingdom, came even as local businessmen who had been displaying tarsiers for tourist viewing lobbied for the scrapping of the provincial ordinance.

Despite the ordinance's passage by the provincial board last February 3, Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado had not signed the measure as of Thursday.

The Born Free Foundation thanked the Bohol provincial board for introducing the ordinance, which they called "forward thinking" and a "compassionate decision."

The letter from BFF senior scientific researcher Chris Draper was received by Board Members Alfonso Damalerio II and Esther Corazon Galbreath.

"The Philippines can be justifiably proud of this legislation, and it is our hope that other regions and countries may look to your example when considering similar legislation," Draper said.

The foundation is working throughout the world to stop individual wild animal suffering and to protect threatened species in the wild.

In a visit to Bohol last January, a television crew of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) featured the tarsiers in one of its documentary that will be shown all over the world.

The BBC crew, headed by celebrated British TV presenter and author Simon Reeve highlighted the need for rescue and care of the endangered species that are caged and displayed outside its natural habitat.

The provincial ordinance was adopted after calls to rescue the vulnerable tarsiers from its misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care at spacious sanctuaries such as the 8-hectare sanctuary of the Philippine Tarsier Foundation in Corella town.

However, Damalerio also expressed disappointment over moves of some business establishments to block the implementation of the new ordinance.

"Instead of cooperating to return the tarsiers to the wild, most of the businesses engaged in the display of tarsiers are lobbying for the scrapping of the law," said Damalerio who is the principal author of the ordinance.