By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Negros Occidental is planning to designate police environment desk officers in the province to oversee the protection of local forests in the mountains.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, PENRO head Edgardo Rostata said he met with Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) head, Police Senior Superintendent William Señoron, and they agreed in establishing the position.
Rostata said the police will greatly help in their campaign in environmental protection, especially since poachers in the mountains are using firearms to do their illegal activities.
Aside from protecting the local environment, Rostata stated he also met with local government agencies in the province to come up with a solution to stop the illegal entry and exit of endangered species in Negros Occidental.
This comes after 30 dead scaly anteaters, or Pangolins, were recovered in Bacolod City last week.
Rostata said police should further strengthen their checks at seaports to stop the illegal trade of endangered animals in the province./WDJ