The population of Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) will continue to shrink if government agencies will not put their acts together, said a local tourist in an interview. The statement came as the provincial government through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has amended Provincial Ordinance No. 2009-005, “prohibiting the possession, display for viewing for commercial or business use, or any other purpose not included in the ordinance, of the Philippine Tarsier outside of its natural habitat and from Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary and imposing penalties thereof.” But the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), an attached office of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), continues to issue permits to persons displaying these smallest primates for profit.

Tarsiers are indeed threatened by both demand for sightseeing by tourists and continued destruction of their habitat, said Nestor Canda, provincial environment and natural resources officer (Penro). He said that tarsiers are supposedly to rest during daytime because they are naturally nocturnal in their habitat. But what is happening now those in captivity are “stressed” and “threatened” because of hundreds of visitors come to see and “touch” them and their “ecological needs” distorted. The SP earlier approved a Resolution urging the DENR “to stop the issuance of wildlife farm permits, special permits and any other permits allowing the possession, display for viewing for commercial or business use, or any other purposes” of the tarsier. But the call fell on deaf ears as PAWB, in-charge of the permits to possess the tarsiers, continues to do so.

The Bohol-based Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc. estimates that only 1,000 tarsiers or less thrive in the hills of Corella town in Bohol, a far cry from their number years ago. It has established a sanctuary at barangay Canapnapan, Corella town, about 14 kilometers away from the city. Studies showed the tarsiers could be found in the forests of Samar, Leyte and Bohol, although Bohol is the more famous destination for tarsier viewing as the activity is managed by the local private entrepreneurs. The tarsier is 3-6 inches long and weighs 3-6 ounces. Its tail is 5-11 inches long. It was not known how many permit holders, who are mostly based in Loboc town, were issued by PAWB, said Atty. Abeleon Damalerio, chair of the environment committee of the SP when asked by senior board member Atty. Dionisio Balite during the interpellation of the amended ordinance.  Tarsiers also found their display in other towns, such as Loboc and Pilar.

The Ordinance, as amended, is based on Presidential Proclamation 1030 issued by then President Fidel Ramos and DENR Administrative Order No. 91-48 declaring tarsier as endangered species and prescribing guidelines on its protection and preservation. Earlier, the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, the international wildlife conservation and animal welfare organization, has lauded the move of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in promoting and conserving the Tarsier. Senior scientific researcher Chris Draper of the said foundation, in his letter to SP, said the SP move is what he called “forward-thinking and compassionate decision” in the passage of the said Ordinance.

The claim for the Tarsiers display found an ally in the Habitat Village Handicraft, Stuff Toy Makers and Suppliers Association (HVHASSA) based in Bo-ol district in this city, has appealed to provincial government to grant their plea for suspension of the Tarsier Ordinance enforcement. They claimed that their only livelihood through Tarsier stuff toy-making will be adversely affected if indeed the provincial government will implement the said Ordinance. The association manifesto signed by 34 tailors and 13 suppliers pointed out that they are not against the preservation of the Tarsier but they just requested for retention of the primate in Loboc.