A total of 22 individuals from various local government units (LGUs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and pet shops recently completed a two-day training for wildlife enforcement officers in Region 4A, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
After training held in Calamba City recently, these individuals will get the opportunity to become deputized Wildlife Enforcement Officers and help the DENR combat illegal wildlife trade.
The 22 individuals who took the training will also represent the batch of volunteer wildlife enforcement officers (WEO) in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
The DENR-Calabarzon through its Enforcement Division headed the training orientation for the prospective WEOs. Because WEOs do not receive a salary and only work voluntarily, the DENR screens prospective applicants before putting them under training.
During the two-day event, a strong emphasis was placed on the equal importance of both wild flora and fauna and their role in the natural processes in the ecosystem was reminded by Laguna Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Eriberto B. Saños.
Further, Chief Enforcement Division Annabelle M. Barquilla stressed the importance of wildlife law enforcement in ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources.
Meanwhile, the salient features of RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Cyber Crime Investigation on Illegal Wildlife Trade, Wildlife Law Enforcement Protocol Techniques, Manual Forms, and other documents on Apprehension, Seizure, and Confiscation of Wildlife were discussed during the orientation.
The identification of commonly traded flora and fauna, basic wildlife handling techniques, and actual wildlife handling and restraining were also conducted to further capacitate the prospective WEOs. The actual handling and restraint activity was facilitated by Nielsen Donato, Wildlife Farm Permit Holder and the co-host of the TV Show, Born to be Wild.
The DENR-Calabarzon also called for direct involvement of the citizens through recruitment, training, and deputation as Environment and Natural Resources Officers (ENROs) and WEOs. The conduct of WEO training is one of the requirements in the deputation of WEOs, as stated under section 30 of RA 9147.