PAG-ASA NEWSLETTER
April - June 2022
SAVING EAGLES
PHILIPPINE EAGLE RESCUED IN BRGY. PANGYAN, AGUSAN DEL SUR
On March 31, a retrieval team was deployed to Brgy. Pangyan, Agusan del Sur to rescue an eagle that was caught in a trap intended for civets.
"Pangyan" is a juvenile male eagle (about 5 years old) from Brgy. Pangyan, Surigao del Sur. The PEF rescue team found Pangyan muddied with his feathers ruffled, but otherwise without injuries. Check-up and X-Ray results revealed 2 air gun pellets lodged in his wings. The doctors did not find open wounds upon further examination, which indicates that Pangyan’s pellet wounds are already healed and were sustained weeks before.
The cooperation of the local government, PEF biologists and keepers, and partner veterinarians were all vital in safely bringing Pangyan to the Philippine Eagle Center for his rehabilitation.
"Sarangani Eagle" was released on June 13, 2022. Before such an event, plenty of pre-release mobilizations needed to be done to ensure the safety of this Philippine eagle as it goes back to its forest habitat.
This is made possible through partnerships with the local Indigenous community, the local government, and stakeholders from the private sector.
The juvenile Philippine eagle was rescued from Brgy. Ticulab, Maitum, Sarangani Province on January 2021. After 18 months, it is released back to its forest home in Mt. Busa.
Ahead of releasing a Philippine eagle, educational campaigns must be conducted with the neighboring community, policies must be in place, and the eagle should be healthy and fit for release.
This event is made possible with the support of our partners Alsons Power Corporation, Siguil Hydro, Sarangani Energy Corporation, Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc., Province of Sarangani, Municipality of Maitum, and the DENR.
PHILIPPINE EAGLE "SARANGANI EAGLE" RELEASE
"Sarangani Eagle" was released on June 13, 2022.
This is just the beginning of his return to his forest home. Sarangani Eagle is continuously being monitored via satellite telemetry, by the Tmanud bulul forest guards from the community, and biologists from the PEF.
The Tmanud bulul forest guards were provided with trainings courtesy of PEF staff, and resources courtesy of DENR to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to protect Sarangani Eagle and his forest habitat.
PROTECTING FORESTS
MONKAYO-PAGASA CARBON FOREST
REFORESTATION EFFORTS LAUNCHED
The Monkayo Pagasa Carbon Forest is the 22.4-hectare forest restoration initiative in Brgy Banlag. The goal is to restore the area to its original lowland dipterocarp forest state by initially planting fast growing species of native trees. Once these trees formed canopies, other species of trees will have better conditions to thrive.
When the initial fast-growing trees have formed a canopy, shade-loving and climax species can now be planted and nurtured. Carbon forests mitigate the negative effects of climate change, serve as a wildlife sanctuary, and can also serve as a watershed in the very heart of Monkayo.
Eventually, when the forest is restored and ambient conditions are created, a portion of the area can be a satellite breeding facility for our Philippine eagle pairs.
The MPCF initiative is supported by Reduce Reuse Grow Inc, Cantilan Bank, Municipal LGU of Monkayo, Barangay LGU of Banlag, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Davao de Oro. The project also engages community members in forest restoration through the Banlag Santol Kalikasan Workers Association a.k.a. BASAKWA - a people's organization in Banlag, and the Yap Famiy.
On April 22, Earth Day, PEF staff planted 115 seedlings at MPCF.
To this day, the forestation site is being monitored by BASAKWA and the LGU of Brgy. Banlag. The people's organization as well as the constituents of Brgy. Banlag are looking forward to a future where the site could serve as a satellite breeding facility for Philippine eagles.
PAGASA ARBORETUM at the Philippine Eagle Center
In celebration of Philippine Arbor Day 2022, we partnered with the Energy Development Corporation, to launch the Pag-Asa Arboretum. Located within the grounds of the premiere and only conservation facility for our national bird, the Philippine Eagle Center will now have a means to propagate endemic tree species.
Through this arboretum, the PEC can be a repository of endemic and endangered tree species, which can be propagated further through the various forestation projects led by the Philippine Eagle Foundation. May Philippine Eagle Pag-asa’s legacy live on in this project that is his namesake. Just like the hope his hatching brought to the nation, this arboretum aims to inspire action to protect our forests - our national bird’s home.
The launch hopes to encourage guests, visitors to the PEC, current donors, and the general public to be more curious about Philippine endemic wildlife, to care about our forests and the native and endemic tree species found within them, and to appreciate their importance in securing the future for all Filipinos.
The arboretum would not be possible without the partnership with the EDC and their flagship environment program, EDC BINHI, and also to CENRO and DENR XI.
NURSERIES BUILT at Kagbana, Burauen, Leyte
PEF field staff assigned in Leyte have been assisting community activities such as the institutionalization of Kagbana Upland Farmers Association (KUFA) to become a registered organization of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the establishment of the Eco-tourism park managed by the association.
In Kagbana, KUFA also identified a site for the community arboretum with on-going negotiations with the land occupant.
With direct support also of Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP) to KUFA, forest protection activities such as forest patrolling and monitoring is regularly conducted by KUFA- Bantay Kagurangan (forest guards). This is a 6-month commitment of FFP to strengthen the capacity of forest guards and develop a system on forest guarding to support the translocation of the eagle.
Super Typhoon "Odette" Response
Biodiversity Survey in the Severely Hit Areas of Supper Typhoon Odette in CARAGA region
Three Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) in Northeastern Mindanao (PH081 Mt Kambinlio- Mt Redondo, PH082 Siargao Island, and PH083 Mt Hilong-hilong) were severely hit by super typhoon Odette (international code “Rai”) in December 2021. The impact and extent of damage on the local biodiversity was speculative at best. To gather baseline data a rapid biodiversity inventory survey was conducted from June 14 to August 2. The team was composed of representatives from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), Surigao Economic Development and Microfinance Foundation Inc. (SEDMFI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) Region 13, and respective Local Government Units (LGU) of the host communities of Barangay Mahanub in Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte, Barangay Maribojoc in San Benito, Siragao, and Barangay General Aguinaldo in Libjo, Dinagat,
The assessment focused to documented the species richness of each respective localities, the relative abundances of wildlife, the uniqueness of the are in terms of endemic and threatened species , as well as documenting ecosystem and biodiversity threats. Generated from the results of this survey are:
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Indicator species that the host communities will monitor, and
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Ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation plans that will be the backbone of the community-based post-disaster species and ecosystem rehabilitation approach.
The team is still working towards validation and planning with the host community. Should this pilot study be a success, this could potentially be included in the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (MDDRRMP) of the LGUs in Dinagat, Surigao del Norte, and Siargao.
SECURING OUR FUTURE
FACEMASKS FOR CONSERVATION
The pandemic continues to cripple the economic capacity of Indigenous communities, resulting in the decline of our wildlife population due to hunting and forest degradation.
Yet the Manobo Simuwawnon of Rajah Cabungsuan is committed to protecting and conserving our critically endangered Philippine eagle with the presence of their active forest guards (both men and women). True enough, Simuwawnon women in environment conservation create a greater impact on the conservation of wildlife and sustaining a healthier environment and the people.
PLDT supported by providing clear community incentives which can contribute to not only reducing waste from disposable facemasks but also to the conservation of our Philippine Eagle. The Manobo Simuwawnon forest guards, our 15 unsung heroes, and wives received the two (2) sets of sewing machines and materials as a start-up capital for cloth facemasks and bags production. A TESDA trainer from Davao City was hired to conduct a session on basic sewing. The PEF facilitated the formalization of their association, which was named Rajah Cabungsuan Manobo Simuwawnon Sewmates for Environment Conservation Association (RCMS-SECA).
3rd Banog-Banog Festival at Manolo Fortich
The Municipality of Manolo Fortich commemorated its 102nd charter anniversary and the 3rd anniversary of the Banog-banog Festival.
The annual celebration aims to increase awareness among locals about the presence of the Philippine eagle as well as raise funds that would support the environmental conservation work of the Guilang-guilang Apo Datu Nannikunan Association Inc. (GADNAI) of Higaonon-Bukidnon tribe.
Education and Public Awareness Campaigns Ahead of Sarangani Eagle Release
Conservation Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaigns are crucial to developing care for wildlife and the forests. When we visit communities around eagle nest sites, we not only inform them about the eagle’s presence but also how a protected nest and a thriving family of eagles can benefit the community.
The best way to ensure to that children and youth absorb community values is through one thing they do best, PLAY. PEF Staff visit communities to conduct activities that facilitate learning while the kids enjoy themselves. Nurturing them into future stewards of the Philippine eagle and its forest home.
35 MILESTONES in EAGLE CONSERVATION Exhibit at SM Lanang Premier
We celebrated Philippine Eagle Week on our 35th year with an exhibit featuring 35 milestones in conservation from captive breeding, eagle rescue, rehabilitation, and release, to culture-based work with Indigenous communities. The exhibit was held from June 6 to 12 at the Atrium, SM Lanang Premier.
Conversations on Conservation with Dr. Chris Parish
Conservation Translocations:
The Peregrine Fund Experience
PEF Trustee and the Peregrine Fund President and CEO Dr. Chris Parish joined us for an online Conversation on Conservation (CoC). Dr. Parish shared the Peregrine Fund’s experience with translocation technique. This is the second CoC PH Eagle Week Edition in which we talk about eagle conservation in a non-scientific approach in the hopes of popularizing it.
PEF Talks
What are the hindrances in this journey toward the conservation of our National Bird? What's stopping us from saving Philippine eagles and helping them attain lasting freedom? Experts discussed the salient threats to the Philippine eagle, and how we can address them. SM Lanang Premier mall goers, partner communities, and media attended the PEF talks.
First talk was given by Dr. Jayson Ibanez, PEF Director for Research and Conservation called "Human Harm to Philippine Eagles: Why Deforestation, Shooting, and Trapping Should Stop".
Dr. Emilia Lastika-Ternura of the UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife Management and Medicine; Conservation Medicine discussed the viral threat (diseases) to the Philippine eagle in her talk entitled "Avian Flu and Its Implications on Conservation".
Forest Guard Recognition Program
We recognized our partner Indigenous forest guard communities in Davao City, Bukidnon, Arakan, Davao Oriental, and Leyte.
The communities present in the ceremony were the:
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Bagobo Tagabawa Bantay Bukid of Toril and Sibulan
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Bagobo Klata Bantay Bukid
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Obu Manuvu Bantay Bukid of Davao City
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Bukidnon/Higaonon Bantay Kalasan
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Manobo Tigwahanon Malimumu Bantay Gubat
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KPP-ECA Bantay Sinaka
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Manuvu’n Tinonanon Tammong too Lumot
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Mandaya Mangayao sa Yutang Kabilin PM Sobrecarey, Caraga, Davao Oriental
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Bantay Kagurangan of Kagbana, Burauen, Leyte.
Leaders in various LGU partners also joined us in the event; including Hon. Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus - City Councilor, Chairperson Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of Davao City, Councilor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr., Committee on Environment and the Vice mayor Elect of the Manolo Fortich Municipality, Bukidnon, and Hon. Jenefier A. Pangilinan, Vice Mayor of Arakan, North Cotabato. PEF trustee and San Roque Power Corp. Vice President for Corporate Affairs Mr. Tommy
T. Valdez attended the recognition program as well.
MALAYA goes to SM Lanang Premier!
Kids at the mall learned more about the Philippine eagle through storytelling, games, dance, and meeting Malaya the mascot. Through the support of sponsors, we were able to offer this educational activity for free.
Some of the participants showed up in their DIY Eagle Costumes!
CONSERVATION PARTNERS
PHILIPPINE EAGLE WEEK 2022
Co-presenters:
Minor sponsors:
Donors:
PARTNERS
CANTILAN BANK
REDUCE REUSE GROW
DENR
MANDAI NATURE
SARANGANI ENERGY CORPORATION
ALSON'S POWER GROUP
SIGUIL HYDRO
MAITUM LGU
SARANGANI LGU
ECPC
MANOLO FORTICH LGU
BRGY MONKAYO LGU
BRGY BANLAG LGU
BUKIDNON LGU
AYALA LAND, INC.
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PLDT
ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
EDC BINHI
