The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization dedicated to the preservation of Bohol’s famous tarsiers, raised a howl of protest yesterday after it learned that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has given an imprimatur to a commercial enterprise in Loboc town featuring the smallest primate as its main attraction. According to a foundation source who declined to be identified, the commercialization of the tarsier has become widespread that in no time it will lost its intrinsic value as an endangered specie. The source said the tarsier was supposed to be preserved not be traded as a commodity of value. If need be, he continued, the primate should be declared not just as an endangered specie but as “beyond the commerce of man”. The howl of protest was raised after it was published yesterday in a Metro daily that the DENR has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Wings of Serenity, Inc. for the establishment of a tarsier center in Loboc town.

The foundation source said the alleged cover of the commercial venture is the so-called research center but the truth of the matter is that the center is establish to make money. In fact, it was confirmed that the so-called research center is imposing a fee of P50.00 per person starting January next year. In Bohol, there’s only one research center for the tarsier and it is being managed by the PTFI. No less than Gov. Edgar Chatto has made representation with DENR Sec. Ramon Paje to have the 167-hectare tarsier sanctuary under the control and supervision of the foundation in cooperation with the local government units of Corella and Sikatuna. The tarsier foundation also made loud noises about the opening of the so-called research center in Loboc after it received reports that the creature was being subjected to ill-treatment and abuses by some tourists while in captivity for public viewing. The foundation is batting for the return of the tarsier to its natural habitat which is the sanctuary in Canapnapan Corella town.