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Sen. Santos calls to expand deer hunting season on Rota
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Posted on Jun 24 2020
In a bid to help families put food on the table in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Teresita Santos (Ind-Rota) is urging the Department of Lands and Natural Resources to temporarily stretch the deer hunting season on Rota to Dec. 31, and to increase the number of deer to be hunted per permit to two.
Under the current law, the Rota hunting season is from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, and licensed hunters are only allowed to hunt for one Sambar deer per permit. Santos wants this expanded so it could start earlier and end later.
“Numerous government and private employees have been furloughed/terminated during this COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to meet day-to-day needs and their financial responsibilities while dealing with the high cost of living on Rota,” said Santos. “Families on Rota have been struggling to make ends meet now more than ever. …To help alleviate the burden of keeping food on their tables, I respectfully seek your assistance in temporarily opening the deer season on Rota earlier and closing it later than prescribed by regulations.”
The senator also said that enforcement officers should continue to ensure that all rules and regulations are adhered to, and to strictly maintain that no hunting will be permitted within Liyo and Sabana, Rota’s designated conservation areas, and that only permitted individuals may hunt.
Aside from asking for a longer deer season, Santos also sought help from DLNR to assess the crop damage caused by deer on Rota.
“I turn to you and your experts to assess the current situation and if warranted, I ask for your assistance and understanding in opening the Rota deer season earlier so that families on Rota can avail of deer meat for personal consumption,” she said.
DLNR Secretary Anthony Benavente said the department will be seeking the legal opinion of the Office of the Attorney General, prior to deciding on the senator’s request.
