RP eagle gains new friends

Protecting the Philippine Eagle and the environment is everyone’s concern.

Thus, nine members of the House of Representatives ,coming from various provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, banded together to support the protection of the national bird.

Upon the initiative of Rep. Vincent Garcia of the second district of Davao City, nine congressmen from different parties and backgrounds pooled funds amounting to P750,000 for the development of a children’s exhibit area at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City.

Representatives Garcia, Gilbert Remulla (second district, Cavite), Juan Miguel Zubiri (third district, Bukidnon), Del de Guzman (lone district, Marikina) and Kim Bernardo-Lokin (party list, CIBAC) turned over their contribution to the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) board of trustees at simple ceremonies held during the PEF board meeting on Aug. 30.

Representatives Ed Chatto (first district, Bohol), Felix William Fuentebella (third district, Camarines Sur), Eileen Ermita-Buhain (first district, Batangas) and Joel Villanueva (party list, CIBAC) were also part of the group but were unable to attend.

Garcia said the effort started two years ago, when he invited several of his colleagues to Davao City for the celebration of Araw ng Dabaw. Much moved by the Philippine Eagle’s magnificent stature and the critical status of the eagle population, Remulla suggested that the group donate cash to support conservation efforts.

Remulla said: "This is an effort of the younger set of congressmen to get together to help in the conservation of our national bird."

The group was lauded for working together in spite of their varying affiliations in a time of a highly-politicized Philippine government. PEF president Carlos Pedrosa felt that the group showed "how we can all rally behind a cause, especially one that affects all of us."

The PEF hoped the efforts of the nine congressmen would inspire their constituents to recognize their own capability to help. While the Philippine Eagle is often identified with Davao City, PEF executive director Dennis Salvador said: "This is our national bird, its survival is indicative of how the Philippine environment is doing as a whole. We hope other public officials, the business community and each Filipino would realize our own roles in the management of our natural resources and become more involved in its protection."

The Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi is unique to the Philippines and is among the three largest eagles in the world. While Davao City is often considered as the "Home of the Philippine Eagle," Philippine Eagles are found all over Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and Luzon islands.