Intended to preserve endangered and critical animals
BURAUEN, Leyte-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga expressed gratitude to House Speaker Martin Romualdez for approving funding for the preservation and conservation of endangered and critical wildlife in the country.
Sec.Yulo-Loyzaga shared this news during her recent visit to Barangay Kagbana, this town, for the release of two Philippine Eagles, part of the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s translocation project aimed at aiding the repopulation process of the country’s largest raptor.
Congress, upon the directive of Speaker Romualdez, has allocated at least P100 million for the preservation and conservation of five critically endangered Philippine wildlife species.
These include the Philippine Eagle, Palawan Cockatoo, dugong, marine turtles, and tamaraw. Each species has been allocated P20 million in conservation funding.
“Each species has specific needs, which is why a thorough review of their current status and immediate needs is necessary,” Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga said.
She added that the DENR is thankful for this year’s budget, which specifies which critical wildlife will benefit from the funds.
“We are grateful to our legislators. Previously, the allocation was given in a lump sum, making it unclear which species should be prioritized,” she added.
Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga visited Kagbana, located 37 kilometers from the town proper of Burauen, on June 28, for the release of “Uswag” and “Carlito” as part of the translocation project.
She was joined by top officials of the DENR from both the Central Office and regional office.
The two eagles arrived in Leyte on June 11 and were released 17 days later after undergoing acclimatization due to their transfer from a different region and minimal human interaction.
Their translocation to Leyte, particularly at the Anonang-Lobi mountain range, is part of the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s program to repopulate the Philippine Eagle across the country.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
