Tourists receive backlash, fine for holding, harming turtles in Palawan

Tourists received backlash and were fined after harming turtles during their stay in Taytay, Palawan.

As seen on Kuya Kim’s “24 Oras” report Thursday, the tourists were carrying the turtles on their backs and were also touching them all over their bodies as they were taking photos.

According to Taytay, Palawan’s municipal tourism officer Joey Matillano, doing these are npt allowed.

“Kasi ginalaw sila, meron po talagang harm na nagagawa,” he said. “Meron kaming tatlong ordinansa na nagbabawal ng gano’ng activities. Meron kaming fines talaga na ibibigay sa kanila - PHP 1,500.”

“Maging lesson na rin po ito do’n sa mga susunod pang bibisita,” he added. “Talagang priority namin yung conservation ng wildlife.”

Kuya Kim said turtles are not allowed to be caught or held under Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

“Hindi pwedeng paglaruan, ikulong ang ating mga wildlife. Naistress din po yung ating mga pawikan,” said Rhodora Ubani, supervising ecosystem management specialist of DENR-PENRO MIMAROPA.

“Naaapektuhan yung behavior nila,” she continued. “‘Pag ganito po yung ginawa natin, nagiging very dependent na yung ating mga pawikan.”

Meanwhile, the tour guide responsible for the tourists apologized and promised to not do it again.—LDF, GMA News