In a bid to save six endangered animals in the Philippines—pangolin, Philippine Eagle, tamaraw, Philippine Turtle, Palawan Cockatoo, and dugong—from extinction, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday, Oct. 15, forged a partnership with conservation groups and the private sector.
The six animals were identified by the DENR as “critically endangered” as they are already on the brink of extinction.
The DENR inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with SM, BDO, World Wildlife Fund, Zoological Society of London, D’ Aboville, Philippine Eagle Foundation, Katala Foundation, Forest Foundation of the Philippines at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay where the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) is being held.
Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga said the SM Group serves as the primary private sector partner of the agency, using its banking and retail networks to raise funds to support conservation efforts through their conservation partners.
“Due to the limited fiscal space and competing priorities, we realize we cannot do this alone. Today, we formalize our joint commitments with our lead conservation partners and the private sector for the protection of six key species whose habitats are life support systems, not just for the species themselves, but the communities that depend on the valuable ecosystem services that these habitats provide,” she said in her speech.
“As the DENR and our conservation partners have integrated our work programs and agreed to share resources for joint priorities, we cannot do this alone,” she went on.
Loyzaga said that each conservation group will be designated to work on the protection of a specific endangered species.
“For the Philippine Eagle, which depends on our highland forests, we have the Philippine Eagle Foundation,” she said.
“For the dugong, our endangered sea mammal, and our marine turtles, who subsist on seagrass fields that are so valuable to ocean health, the maintenance of the food and nutrient web, and carbon sequestration as well, we have the World Wildlife Fund for Nature.”
The DENR chief said the Zoological Society of London and the D’ Aboville Foundation will be responsible for the tamaraw, while also addressing the needs of the heavily trafficked pangolins.
“For the Palawan cockatoo, which shares the habitat of the pangolin, we have the Katala Foundation,” she added.
Based on the agency’s experience, Loyzaga stated that habitat loss through human action and extreme weather events “can alter these habitats and act as tipping points towards the loss of ecosystem function, and these species that are part of the life support system of all of our cities and communities.”
She said that the DENR’s overlapping mandates in biodiversity, forestry, and integrated water resources create opportunities to protect and potentially boost the populations of threatened species, preserve their habitats, and maintain ecological integrity to sustain the essential ecosystem services we all rely on.
“This is done through strategic intervention and investment. These have co-benefits not only for mitigation and adaptation but for disaster risk reduction as well.”
‘Urgent mission’
Steven Tan, the president of SM Supermalls, said they partnered with the environment department and conservation groups for an “urgent mission” to save the six critically endangered animals in the country.
“I stand before you today not just as a corporate leader, but to speak for the next generation—the future stewards of this Earth. We are gathered here with an urgent mission: to launch a campaign dedicated to saving six of our beloved Philippine animals from extinction: the pangolin, the Philippine Eagle, the tamaraw, the Philippine turtle, the cockatoo, and the dugong,” he said.
He noted that the six species are “not just symbols of our nation; they are vital components of our ecosystem.”
“Today, we are proud to partner with exceptional organizations: the World Wildlife Fund, the Zoological Society of the Philippines, D’Aboville, the Phil Eagle Foundation, Katala, and the Forest Foundation of the Philippines. Together with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, we unite to take action,” he said.
Tan said that the SM Supermalls is undertaking several significant actions, including a donation drive that will fund partner organizations’ efforts, donation options via BDO ATMs nationwide, donation boxes at SM malls, Kultura merchandise with a portion of the profits going to conservation, and an awareness campaign featured across their malls and digital platforms.
“My hope lies in our commitment to environmental care. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations inherit a world rich in biodiversity,” he said.
The president of SM Supermalls urged Filipinos to recognize the importance of the campaign to save the six critically endangered animals.
“Become aware of the threats these animals face, and consider making donations to our partner organizations that are diligently working to protect these species. Every positive step we take, no matter how small, contributes to a greater impact,” said Tan.
“Together, let’s be the voice for wildlife and work towards a sustainable future where these incredible animals thrive. The time to act is now, for the welfare of our planet and for generations yet to come.”