News Briefs

SCHOOL ECO COPS

LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Paz Radaza urged top students in the city to report to authorities family members and neighbors who violate the city’s ecotourism laws.

Radaza on Saturday  swore in  at least 3,000 top 20 students from high school and grade 4 to grade 6 as “School Eco-tourism Police” in the city’s Hoopsdome.

The students  vowed to call the attention of violators of eco-tourism laws or report them to school authorities, tanods, or policemen.

Radaza and Dean Jonathan Capanas of the University of San Jose – Recoletos College of Law signed an agreement to sustain the project.

“The joint efforts of the School Ecotourism Police will truly serve as an impetus for the community to respect environmental laws and protect the environment,” Radaza said. /Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos

MORE MANGROVES

MANGROVE reforestation is needed to maintain biodiversity of bird species in Olango Island, an environment official said.

“The mangroves provide shelter for local and migratory wildlife and serve as roosting and foraging grounds,” said Maximo Dichoso, director of the  Department of Environ ment and Natural  Resources in Central Visayas in a statement.

Some of the migratory birds found in Olango are the Asian Dowitcher, Chinese Egret, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Red Knot.

Dischoso lamented the reduction of the mangrove area in Olango due to conversion into fishponds, prawn farms and salt ponds.

He also encouraged visitors and residents to stop throwing garbage in the sanctuary./Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya