DENR-7 warns the public on illegal collection of Geckos or “Tuko”
| By: Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, July 15 (PIA) --- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) warned the public to refrain from joining the bandwagon on illegal collection and trade of geckos as there is no scientific basis that geckos have medicinal properties. DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso today explained that geckos, known locally as “tuko” are protected under Republic Act (RA) No. 9147, known as the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, such that their collection from the wild as well as their trade are strictly regulated. “The law expressly provides that the collection, trade or transport of geckos without appropriate permits from the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, which is under the DENR, is punishable by imprisonment and fine,” Dichoso said. Specifically, if the technique used in the capture of the gecko is inappropriate, this is punishable by imprisonment ranging from two to four years, and a fine of up to PhP300,000,” Dichoso added. “I have already directed our field officers to be more vigilant and persistent in monitoring the collection, transport, and trade of geckos and other wildlife species,” he said. The DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje issued a statement in light of reports in the Philippines and other Asian countries that geckos are being harvested and sold for their medicinal properties, particularly as aphrodisiac and as a cure for cancer, AIDS, asthma, tuberculosis and impotence. With no scientific evidence to back up such claims, however, DENR-7 cautioned the public against “jumping on the bandwagon for the sake of easy money”, amid reports that a 300-gram gecko has a minimum price of P50,000. PAWB Director Theresa Mundita Lim has earlier said that the agency has not issued any permits legalizing the sale and/or breeding of geckos for commercial purposes, nor for their collection from the wild. Dichoso also underscored the necessity of “maintaining a healthy population” of geckos as they help regulate the pest population. “Geckos feed on insects and worms. Larger species hunt small birds and rodents, while still other species feed on plant matter such as mosses. They play an important role in maintaining our fragile ecosystems,” he said. “We do not hesitate to impose the appropriate legal actions against any person or entity found violating the provisions of RA 9147,” he stressed. Wildlife conservationists have been alarmed by the growing gecko trade. The supposedly lucrative business in other countries such as Malaysia has caused a decline in the local gecko population, driving traders and suppliers to source the reptiles from other countries such as Thailand and the Philippines. The PAWB lists 34 species of geckos distributed throughout the country, of which 26 are endemic. Geckos (family Gekkonidae) are carnivorous, usually nocturnal, reptiles that can be found in tropical countries, and are known for their sticky footpads that allow them to climb vertical surfaces, including glass. They are also known to be the only reptiles to use their voice for social interaction. At the Mactan airport, the Wildlife Section has confiscated a total 15 heads of geckos which have been transported without appropriate permits.(PIA-7/mbcn/hfg & DENR-7) |
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Parole and Probation Office celebrates 35th Founding Anniversary
By: Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, July 15 (PIA) --- The Department of Justice-Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA) celebrates its 35th Founding Anniversary with the theme, “Matuwid na Landas: Susi sa Pagbabago at Kaunlaran” on July 24, 2011.
DOJ-PPA-7 Regional Director Ofelia Quijano said during the AGIO-7 Forum held recently at their office. They had lined up many activities such as Symposium on Community Corrections with Volunteer Probation Aides (VPAs), Fun Walk, Echo-Seminar on Video Editing and Web Updates and many others, Quijano added.
Quijano presented the highlights of accomplishments through PPA's rehabilitation programs and services they offered to their clients.
Quijano zeroed in on the restorative justice process whereby parties involved in a specific offense resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offense and its implications for the future.
She explained that It is a victim-centered response to crime that provides opportunities to those directly affected by the crime – the victim, the offender, their families, and representatives of the community – to be directly involved in responding to the harm the crime caused.
Another program is the therapeutic community with an environment that helps people get help while helping others.
It is a treatment environment: the interactions of its members are designed to be therapeutic within the context of the norms that require for each to play the dual role of client-therapist.
Volunteerism is another strategy where the Parole and Probation Administration may be able to generate maximum citizen participation or community involvement in the overall process of client rehabilitation.
In this scheme, citizens of good standing in the community may volunteer to assist the parole and probation offices in the supervision of a number of probationers, parolees and pardonees in their respective communities.
Since they reside in the same community as the client, they are able to usher the reformation and rehabilitation of the clients, hands on.
Quijano also said that Volunteer Probation Aide (VPA) program also helps in promoting the rehabilitation and development of probationers.
Baranagay Captain Josefina Quiros of Maslog, Danao City shared her experiences as a volunteer which according to her is very rewarding especially seeing ex-convicts transform into a better person and become successful in life.
An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who is one of the beneficiaries of the program testified on how VPA was able to help him to work abroad.
On the other hand, director Quijano explained that being a VPA should attain to reach the 3C’s -- character, competence and commitment.
The VPA program was established in 1976 through Presidential Decree No. 968 otherwise known as the Probation Law of 1976 which authorizes the appointment of citizens of good repute and probity to act as probation aides to assist in the supervision of probationers, parolees and pardonees.
Quijano also reveals that for 35 years of existing, the parole and probation in the region supervised 40,000 probationers, parolees and pardonees in Central Visayas.
Most of them come from Cebu City with drug related cases and crimes against persons or properties, she added.
Quijano expressed her desire to target the ideal ratio of one VPA to one client (1:1 ratio). (PIA-7//mbcn/hfg)
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PIA-7 signs MOA for advocacy against VAW-C
By: Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, July 14 (PIA) --- The Philippine Information Agency in the region (PIA-7) together with the Share-A-Child Movement, Inc. (SACMI) and the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) signed recently a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in implementing Communities Learning to Stop Abuse and Nurture Social Empowerment (CLEANSE) project to promote greater awareness against Violence Against Women and Children (VAW-C) including Anti-Trafficking, Pornography, Cybersex and Pedophilia.
CLEANSE project was created to re-orient its operations to be more client-oriented and to prioritize addressing violence against women and children and other related issues on women, children and family.
This agreement will undertake a multi-media campaign and exposure on the campaign Against VAW-C and other related issues and concerns in the region through print, radio, TV and internet blogs as well as interpersonal communication.
SACMI Executive Director Atty. Nina Valenzona said there is a need to create awareness, understanding and educate Filipinos on coping strategies to address VAW-C.
Tri-media and other alternative media are effective channels in bringing the messages of VAW-C, trafficking and ways to cope with the current global situation on Cybersex, pornography and pedophilia.
Meanwhile, the Share a Child Movement Inc. is a child focused non-government organization based in Cebu City. It is accredited with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and with the Cebu City Government.
It’s goal is to provide access to education, both formal and non-formal, to poor and needy children in need of special attention.
The organization also promote rights of children to survival, development, protection and participation and to develop the capacities of families for self-reliance. To provide access to micro-finance facilities and trainings for livelihood.
The MOA signing was led by Atty. Nina Valenzona, SACMI Executive Director, RD Minerva Newman of PIA-7 and Eddie Llamedo of AGIO during the meeting held at PIA-7 Regional Office.(PIA-7/mbcn/HFG)
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33rd Nat’l Disability Prevention & Rehabilitation Week set on July 17-23
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, July 14 (PIA) -- Apart from respecting the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs), what is most important is putting into action their basic rights is the call made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region to highlight this year’s celebration of the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPW) Week on July 17 to 23.
DSWD-7 Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre urged the public that respect to PWDs is a basic right accorded to every human being. But that more than the treatment of respect, equal opportunities should also be given to PWDs especially in the area of employment as long as she is qualified, Macapobre added.
Under the law, each establishment including government agencies should allot five percent of the workforce to PWDs as long as she is qualified and capable of doing the job, this is learned.
PWDs have lamented on the existence of discrimination when it comes to hiring applicants where those without any handicap are often favored compared to those with disabilities.
Another major sentiment aired by PWDs is that some buildings do not have access designed for handicapped persons such as lack of passageway for people on wheelchair or amenities specially designed for persons with physical disabilities.
In order to let PWDs feel they belong to a society, this year’s theme focuses on “Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Disabilities” to popularize and promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The DSWD-7 urged government agencies, private sector, non-government organizations, self-help groups of PWDs and other sectors to promote the annual observance by hanging streamers within their premises for increased public awareness.
(PIA 7-Cebu)
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Cebuanos urged to rally behind campaign to declare
PPUR as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY , July 14 (PIA) – Cebuanos are urged to rally behind the country’s campaign to declare the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III led the drive by issuing Proclamation No. 182, declaring a National and International Promotion Campaign for the PPUR as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN).
The PPUR is already among the top five in the search for the N7WN as of May 26, this year, based on the data of the N7WN website.
Proclamation 182 is intended to awaken the sense of patriotism and national pride of the 30M Filipino internet users and 77M Filipino mobile subscribers by encouraging them to support this campaign. This way, the country is ensured that the PPUR will be proclaimed as one of the N7WN.
Official declaration of the new 7 Wonders of Nature will be announced on November 11, this year.
The PPUR-N7WN Campaign Task Force, of which the Philippine Information Agency is one of the members, has undertaken an aggressive voting campaign to solicit the support of every Filipino behind the movement.
The task force stated that there is a need to garner as much votes as possible to support the campaign through text voting or internet voting. (PIA 7-Cebu)