Gullas lauds DENR for CCPL implementation

CEBU, Philippines - Rep. Eduardo Gullas lauded the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 for its continued efforts and implementation of Republic Act No. 9486 that established the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).

Gullas is the principal author of House Bill No. 3624 that was passed by Congress on Feb. 8, 2007.

Cebuano Senator Serge Osmeña Senate authored the version.

It was signed into law by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 7, 2007 here in Cebu.

“I am so happy that the bill that was principally authored by yours truly is being implemented. I am urging all Cebuanos to cooperate and protect our environment, because this is also for the future generation. Senator Serge Osmeña have helped me tremendously for the passage of this law,” said Gullas.

CCPL covers a consolidated area of 28,312 hectares.

The protected area covers the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban.

Gullas said endangered flora and fauna can be found in the area that CCPL covers.

DENR- 7 is expected to complete by October 30 the delineation and demarcation of the 28,312-hectare CCPL to delimit on the ground the boundaries of a protected area.

Meanwhile, DENR-7 awarded the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. and biologists Lisa Paguntalan and Godfrey Jakosalem for the discovery of another endemic bird species in Cebu.

A certificate of recognition was given in appreciation of their laudable and meritorious efforts in conducting biodiversity studies.

Montejo said that the newly discovered Cebu Hawk Owl (Ninox rumseyi) could be found in the remaining forest patches in Alcoy, Cebu and Tabunan in CCPL.

Other Philippine Hawk Owl species recently discovered by biologists Paguntalan and Jakosalem include Camiguin Hawk Owl (Ninox leventisi), Mindoro Hawk Owl (Ninox mindorensis), Sulu Hawk Owl (Ninox reyi), Luzon Hawk Owl (Ninox philippensis), and Romblon Hawk Owl (Ninox spilonota).

With this latest discovery, this particular hawk owl is the third bird species endemic in Cebu. The two others are the Black Shama or siloy (Copychus cebuensis) and Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor). —/MBG (FREEMAN)