BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi — After the biodiversity and protected area assessment in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu conducted by the Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Research and Development Services (BERDS) of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM last 3-9 November, the same office finished the biodiversity assessment in the island provinces after their recently conducted activity in Tawi-Tawi on 1-3 December 2021.

In Bud Bongao, the province’s most popular mountain, the BERDS observed over 50 species of animals and plants relying on the forests and areas for their habitat.

The entire mountain is considered a strictly protected zone aside from .6 hectares and .3 hectares designated for special use and as a cultural zone, respectively.

“Convergence with stakeholders and their appropriate capacity development must be pursued in protecting the Key Biodiversity Areas in Tawi-Tawi,” said Tawi-Tawi Provincial ENRE Officer Jonel Mohammad Monel.

Bongao Mayor Jimuel Shia Que added that rules and regulations must be implemented in terms of law enforcement, solid waste management, and rehabilitation of degraded areas.

Que cited the growing problem on families of monkeys relying on the nearby human population as their source of food. They tend to become undernourished and sickly if this food source is not sustained. Moreover, an alternative solution shall be crafted by the MENRE, local government units, and other key stakeholders.

Following their primary biodiversity assessment in Bud Bongao, the BERDS joined the PENREO in distributing 1,000 mangrove propagules to the Philippine National Police Municipal Station to support their tree planting and growing activity on 4 December.

Together with Maritime Police in Bongao led by PLTCOL Alvin Anabo Gumacal, 1st Special Operations Unit Commander, they also released on 5 December the turned over 7-ft reticulated python back into the wild.