Native Iligan Tarsier to be preserved

Councilor Young

ILIGAN CITY -- Tarzier,,known to be the smallest monkey in the world and recently discovered as also inhabiting the wilds of Iligan City, will soon be conserved through an ordinance under deliberation in the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Iligan.

Authored by SP Committee on Environment Chairman Marlene L. Young, the proposed ordinance shall make it unlawful to capture, cage or kill the animal.

Cutting of trees and vegetation in forests where this small creature resides shall also be prohibited.

On the other hand, Rolando "Datu Diamla" Soong who was recently installed as City Councilor and representative of the indigenous Higaonon Tribe in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, told The New Ranao Star that the said animal is called "Tingkukak" locally.

Tingkukak is one of the endangered species in the Rogongon mountains that the Higaonons want to preserve. Soong said his people will soon identify the other animals and plants in their forests that they want also conserved through an ordinance. FED Jr./TNRS