DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR) SECRETARY JOINS THE CELEBRATION OF THE 29TH CROCODILE CONSERVATION WEEK IN PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN
The DENR-Secretary Hon. Ma. Antonia Yulo Loyzaga graced the kick-off of the week-long celebration of the 29th Crocodile Conservation Week highlighting the theme, “Pagsulong sa kamalayan: Buwaya at kanyang tahanan ay yaman at bahagi ng kalikasan na dapat alagaan,” at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on March 6, 2024.
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DENR-Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo Loyzaga arrived at the Puerto Princesa City Airport around 8:00 o’clock in the morning on March 6 and was welcomed by the officials of DENR MIMAROPA Region, PENRO Palawan, All CENROs, some personnel of PENRO Palawan and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. The secretary first visited the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center at Barangay Irawan where she led the ceremonial transfer of hatchling crocodiles from the Hatchling House A to B inside the center. Subsequently, she went directly to the Palawan State University Amphitheatre where the highlights of the event happened.
During the program at the PSU amphitheater the Secretary administered the oath taking and pledge of commitment of the 29 now new deputize Wildlife Enforcement Officer from the Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPWCD) and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) who braved the training last February 12-16, 2024 and committed to the WEO responsibility and to the 100 newly Youth Ambassadors from the Environmental Science Student Association (ESSA), College of Sciences of the Palawan State University for the empowerment of our youths to take active part in crocodile and wildlife conservation.
“The environment belongs to everyone. It is our shared responsibility to make sure that species that have been here for billions of years continue to be here on earth well beyond our own existence despite our own effort to change the environment,” DENR-Secretary Loyzaga said in her inspirational message. She also expressed appreciation for all individuals and organizations dedicated to environmental preservation and the protection of wildlife species.
The annual celebration is in accordance with Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 946, dated March 1, 1995, which designates March 6-11 of each year as Crocodile Conservation Week. Since then, this event has been commemorated through the initiative of the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, with this year's collaboration with DENR-PENRO Palawan, hosting a series of activities throughout the week depicting the significance of crocodiles to the ecosystem and enhancing the community’s public awareness on crocodile conservation.