DENR-7 calls for strict implementation of laws on captive tarsiers
By Hazel F. Gloria
BOHOL, Oct 21 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in Central Visayas urged the strict implementation of laws, rules, and regulations in handling captive tarsiers (Tarsius syrichta) inside the Tarsier Conservation Area (TCA) in Loboc, Bohol.
DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said, the primary role of the department is to ensure the safety and protection of the tarsiers against any human acts that may harm and affect their health conditions.
The tarsier’s lifespan may be subjected to stress as many tourists want to interact with them by day thus disrupting and disturbing their nocturnal lifestyle, he added.
With 800-tourists a day or 24,000 a month coming to the conservation area, Montejo said this contact alters their biological processes making them weak and vulnerable to diseases.
“Tarsiers are classified as 'near threatened' in the International Union on the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) List of Threatened Species, requiring adequate protection and conservation,” Montejo added.
Launched in July 2011, the TCA was jointly managed by the 11-member Bohol Tarsier Permittees Corporation (BTPC) and the DENR through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to pursue, among others, the maintenance and protection of the tarsiers including the provision to support the ecotourism industry.
In the same year, the 11 wildlife farm permit (WFP) holders formed the BTPC and eventually transferred the 113 tarsiers in which 80 of them were females and 33 males in the 22-hectare conservation area.
Ray Toledo, one of the guides in TCA said, each tarsier in the facility is fed with 20 to 30 crickets and super worms a day. The oldest tarsier is 16 years old named “Lolo Jose” and the youngest is only nine months.
Bohol is known for its rich wildlife and natural resources and one of these is the famous tarsier which can be found and visited by tourists in the conservation area.(mbcn/HFG-PIA-7/DENR-7)
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Philhealth-7 launches 1st nationwide fun run
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY, Oct 20 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth-7) has launched its first nationwide fun run to be held simultaneously on February 17, 2013 in 18 sites all over the country to mark its 18th anniversary.
The event, called “Philhealth Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection,” aims to continuously draw national attention and support to its mission of providing all Filipinos access to quality health care through social health insurance, said Philhealth’s Regional Vice President for Visayas William Chavez in a press conference at its Cebu office at Golden Peak Hotel.
The Philhealth Run is part of the “Be PhilHealth Now (BPN)” campaign, which is an excellent platform to celebrate the mandate of Universal Health Care (UHC) as its office is moving closer in achieving universal coverage next year, Chavez said.
The event also aims to help increase public awareness and create more advocates who will advance the issue.
The proceeds of the registration fees and sponsorships will benefit one national institution, the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City and 18 other local institutions in the 17 regions that cater to the health and welfare of Filipino mothers and children, Chavez said.
In Cebu, the beneficiary is the “Gift of Life” of the Rotary Club of Cebu, District 3860, he said.
The run is open to all who are in good health and as young as five years old with parents’ consent.
Philhealth targets 180,000 participant-runners from different parts of the country join in this historical event. Cebu targets 6,000 runners to see action in the three-, five-, 10- and 18-kilometer categories.
One may register online at https://run2013.philhealth.gov.ph or through any PhilHealth regional and local health insurance offices where they are supposed to run, Chavez said.
The 18 sites are Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Tuguegarao, Clark, Malolos, Laguna, Batangas, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi and Butuan.
The run in Cebu will take place at the Sumilon Road at Cebu Business Park, Philhealth Run Lead Coordinator for Region 7 Nellie Marie Banzon said.
The pre-race program will start at 4 a.m. and the race gun will be fired at 5 a.m.
The registration is pegged at P250 for the 3k, P300 for 5K, P350 for 10K and P450 for the 18K which is inclusive of the singlet, race kit, raffle ticket and a finisher’s certificate.
Students will only pay P50 to join the race without a singlet, Banzon said.
Cash prizes are at stake to top finishers and a P10,000 bounty is to be given to the school with the largest number of entries and delegation. (MBCN/JSME-PIA7 Cebu)