The IWT project was launched and rolled out in projects sites in Region 13 on 30-31 May 2019 in Butuan City and 13-14 June 2019 in Cebu City for Region 7.
These covered knowledge-sharing and information around the state of IWT and law enforcement in the Philippines, and validating the IWT project objectives, outcomes, outputs and activities in the context of both regions. Mindanao and Visayas-wide stakeholder consultations/workshops, facilitated by environmental lawyers, on proposed revisions to the 17-year Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 (Republic Act 9147) were also conducted back-to-back with the regional launches.
A total of 172 participants from DENR regional offices and key enforcement agencies: police, justice, customs, ports, maritime security, agriculture, and fisheries, along with civil society organizations, the private sector, and ADB participated.
In their Welcome Remarks, DENR-13 Regional Executive Director Felix Alicer and Assistant Secretary and Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, in concurrent capacity, Mr. Ricardo Calderon, recognized how law enforcement and other government agencies, local government units (LGUS), academics, development partners, and local communities need to work together to combat IWT. A similar message was delivered by DENR-7 Assistant Director Eduardo Inting to multi-stakeholder participants in Cebu City.
Participants expressed great appreciation to be part of the regional launch and stakeholders’ workshops. Newly assigned OIC, Legal Department of the Philippine Coast Guard District in Central Visayas, Atty. Christopher Jhund Pablico, acknowledged he learned a lot from discussions on ways to curb IWT and protect the environment, and committed to assist and re-echo what he learned to his office and staff.