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Post by Registrar on Oct 6, 2013 15:47:39 GMT 8
Of late, there have been articles in the Philippine press concerning efforts to improve Corregidor as an ecological destination by tree replantings, and the recent post, (specifically this image) by Karl made me consider one aspect that I haven't ever thought about before. Whenever I have hiked Corregidor in the past, and have found bird and animal traps, I have left them as they were. My views have now changed, and I feel that we should press Col. Matibag, Administrator of CFI, for official permission to destroy unauthorized traps should we come across them. (I am not advocating the destruction of the monkey traps, which have a valid ecological basis.) However, there are no valid excuses to set traps for the taking and destruction of wildlife any more. What do you guys and gals think?
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Post by okla on Oct 7, 2013 1:18:02 GMT 8
Hey Registrar....I am in full agreement. I think most forum members would agree.
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Post by Registrar on Oct 10, 2013 18:33:43 GMT 8
Yes, I'd hope so - what I am also hoping is that there should be some official statement by CFI to the effect that because wildlife on (and near) Corregidor is protected, therefore illegal traps can be destroyed. There's just no rationale for allowing anyone to poach wildlife there. I am particularly concerned for sea turtles which come to Corregidor at night and lay their eggs. There needs to be some protection for animals there. Except the cats, of course, they are an feral pest. In the long term, wildlife on Corregidor can become an attraction superior to zip lines and ATV's.
Does anyone know of such a policy?
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Post by Registrar on Oct 17, 2013 14:19:06 GMT 8
Steve Kwiecinski has sent me an extract of the rules and regulations applying on Corregidor. It reads (in part) as follows: CORREGIDOR ISLAND RULES & REGULATIONS
(Revised March 5, 2007)
The following rules and regulations are to be observed by all concerned (CI personnel, workers and visitors) while on Corregidor Island A. Activities enumerated below are strictly prohibited: 1. Roaming around during curfew hours (from 11:00pm to 4:00 am of the folllowingday) 2. Gambling within the island 3. Possession and/or carrying of deadly weapons/firearms, prohibited drugs, pyrotechnics or explosives 4. Harvesting / picking of fruits being managed by foundation/certain contractor: a. Mango trees sprayed or being taken care b. Coconut trees (coconut fruits can be purchased from CFI) Massive harvesting of clams “tahong” for purpose of shipping out without permission 5. Owning or caring of pet dogs and cats without permission 6. Fighting/assaulting with one another 7. Killing/Possession of fowls and wild animals such as monkeys, monitor lizards, deer etc. unless they threaten one’s life and with permission 8. Gathering the eggs of tortoise 9. Treasure hunting and personal collection/selling of war relics (Only archaeological excavation approved by CFI is allowed on Corregidor) 10. Vending of hard liquor without licence and/or permit from CFI 11. Smoking within prohibited area 12. Unauthorized use of CFI vehicles, equipment or any property 13. Driving of any vehicle without professional driver’s license 14. Harboring of unregistered and unemployed person at assigned accommodations 15. Unnecessary and wasteful use of CFI water supply and unauthorized opening of gate valves 16. Fishing using dynamite and compressor 17. Sexual harassment (physical, verbal and cell texting) 18. Heavy drinking of liquor and other alcoholic beverages resulting to unruly behavior Number 7 says killing animals except in certain cases is banned, and breaking the rules means permanent expulsion from the island.
The rules are pretty elastic, and could be improved from just about every point of view there is, but that's not our job - though I would like to see if there's consensus pressure for recognition that adopting higher ecological credentials can actually increase the island's reputation and earnings.
For example, although the laws of the Philippines apply just as much to Corregidor as to any part of the Philippines, the Rules and regulations don't actually say this. So the provisions of REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9147 (July 30, 2001) AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES AND THEIR HABITATS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES does apply, and it would be nice to see this being recognized.
Under this act, DENR has jurisdiction over the all terrestrial plant and animal species, all turtles and tortoises and wetland species, including but not limited to crocodiles, waterbirds and all amphibians and dugong. The DA gets most of what isn't specifically given to DENR - all declared aquatic critical habitats, all aquatic resources including but not limited to all fishes, aquatic plants, invertebrates and all marine mammals, except dugong.
So I guess it's the DENR who are the proper agency to recognize that Corregidor is a habitat.
Well, at least they aren't on closedown.
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Post by xray on Oct 20, 2013 14:16:33 GMT 8
Is there a monkey problem on the Rock ?
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