The “Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) and World Heritage Site” ensures tight enforcement of laws on environment and wildlife in the midst of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
TRNP superintendent Angelique Songco told Palawan Daily News (PDN) Tuesday that Tubbataha is well-guarded by a composite team of marine park rangers led by the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) alongside Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy (PN), and the local government unit (LGU) of Cagayancillo.
“Close lang siya sa turista pero meron pa rin tayong tao doon. Iyon pa rin ‘yong mga tao natin. We have a full complement of rangers there. So ‘yong turista lang ang wala,” said Songco.
Songco stated this composite team arrangement that protects the park from illegal activities is under the TRNP Act or the Republic Act 10067, which embodies the scope of authority of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) towards imposing necessary sanctions on the violators.
Songco affirmed that the public may rest assured those who will try to take advantage of the ECQ to commit illegal activities at the park shall surely be apprehended.
“Huhulihin natin sila,” she added.
As announced through its official Facebook page, TRNP was closed to tourist since March 15 aimed at helping curb the threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Songco said the park is usually open for three months every year from March to later part of June.
“If you come to think of it may mga turista lang sa park three months of the year. The rest of the year walang turista doon kasi maalon, walang makapuntang boat, ganiyan. So ganoon pa rin, walang masyadong nag-iba. Ang nag-iba lang, wala tayong revenue para gastusin natin next year. Iyon lang ang problema natin talaga,” Songco said.
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