‘Haan umanay diay 300 hectares nga area para dagitoy endangered species… we leave it to Dacalan—we respect your decisions’ – BM Lammawin on the proposal of DENR for a Critical Habitat in Tanudan

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Provincial Board Member Camilo T. Lammawin raised concerns over the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) proposal to designate a 300-hectare Critical Habitat in Tanudan, particularly in Barangay Dacalan, stressing that the area is insufficient to protect endangered species but said the final decision rests with the Dacalan delegation, and that he fully respects it.

Lammawin made this statement at the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on November 25, 2025 during the DENR’s report on the establishment of critical habitats, an area essential for threatened or endangered species’ in the province, explaining that a larger habitat is needed.

“Haan nga umanay diay 300 hectares nga area para ken dagitoy nga endangered species isu nga kasapulan tayo ti nalawlawa nga area tapnu ti kasta ket maisalbar tayo dagitoy nga species. Ken wen, it’s the responsibility talaga ti community ti mang-protect kn dagitoy iti ayan da nga teritoryo,” the provincial legislator said.

Meantime, Ecosystems Management Specialist Jacquelin Ponasen reported that Mt. Binaratan, situated along the Mt. Province–Kalinga boundary, was proposed as a critical habitat by both provinces in 2021.

The DENR later recommended merging the proposals, which the Tanudan and Natonin mayors approved in 2023 through a memorandum of agreement.

The provincial legislator then said that Mt. Binaratan, which he described as a legendary site, must remain protected for the sake of its endangered species, reminding the community to fulfill this duty while respecting existing political boundaries between Kalinga and Mt. Province.

“But we admire Mt. Binaratan, it’s a legendary mountain nga dapat gwardia-an dagiti tattao dita tapnu ti kasta agtultuloy kuma nga agbyag dagitoy mapukpukawen nga animal ken dagiti kaykayo tayo. But one point is diay kaaddaan ti political boundary nga masapol marespetar,” Lammawin said.

To protect species essential to Kalinga’s environment and heritage, Lammawin along with the SPs decided to leave the matter to Tanudan and Dacalan’s decision, in respect of their ancestral territories, stressing that conservation is a shared obligation.

“… we cannot protect our animals in a small area. Well, we leave it to the delegation of Tanudan, especially the Dacalan—we respect your decisions and so we should give a careful explanation on this. We expound ti kinaimportante na daytoy. Though, it’s all our responsibility nga protektaran dagitoy nga importante nga protektaran iti teritoryo tayo,” Lammawin concluded.