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A critically endangered wild plant was voluntarily surrendered to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Community of Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte headed by Dr. Adelaida R. Borja on October 1.
 
Mr. Galileo Emperado, Jr. and Ms. Fretzie Catalan, residents of North Poblacion, Piñan, voluntarily surrendered a Staghorn Fern (Platycerium coronarium) to CENRO Piñan.
The said plant is listed as Critically Endangered under DENR Administrative Order 2017-11.
 
According to the report, Mr. Emperado bought the Staghorn Fern from Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte and cared for it for almost five (5) years. He thought of selling the plant to raise a small amount especially during this time of pandemic thus, he asked Ms. Catalan to create a Facebook post for it. Fortunately, they encountered a Facebook post from the DENR Zamboanga Peninsula regarding the warning on the ban on illegal collection and trade of wild plants. They then informed the Office that they have a Staghorn Fern and turned-over the said wild plant.
 
The illegal collection and trade of endangered wild plants is prohibited under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and violators may face fines and imprisonment.