Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 21) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Saturday said it will upgrade the National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center (NWRRC) to strengthen the country’s biodiversity conservation program.
The NWRRC, which is located at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, is mandated to rehabilitate and take care of rescued wildlife.
\”We will enhance, upgrade and redesign the [NWRRC] so it can be brought up to global standards,\” said DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga in a statement.
The DENR said the planned improvements include mobilizing over 200 wildlife traffic monitoring units in 36 airports and 131 seaports nationwide, and training over 700 wildlife enhancement officers.
The department will also form an advisory group of biodiversity experts.
\”This is very important because the Philippines is one of the mega biodiverse countries in the world. We are a hotspot, and therefore, we must make very good use of our protection and enhancement capabilities in order to stop illegal wildlife trade and all other wildlife crimes,\” Yulo-Loyzaga added.
