To protect six endangered species from extinction, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its partner, SM Supermalls, held the "Save from Extinction" campaign event on May 16, 2025 at Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The event is set to raise awareness and funding for the conservation efforts of critically endangered species.

In her speech, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga underscored the shared responsibility of Filipinos of protecting the country’s natural heritage, specifically the “Big Six,” namely the Philippine eagle, the Philippine cockatoo, pangolin, tamaraw, marine turtle, and the dugong.

“These are not just wildlife icons. They are keystone species that play essential roles in maintaining the health and balance of our ecosystems, so that others, including human beings, may actually thrive. But as we all know, they are facing a very real threat of extinction,” stressed Secretary Loyzaga.

She also sounded the alarm over losing biodiversity faster than mitigation and restoration efforts. “We are losing forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other critical habitats faster than we can restore them. Our species is being pushed to the brink by illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking, pollution, and the growing impacts of climate change,” she added.

Addressing the complexity of the current crisis in biodiversity loss, the environment chief calls for collective action. “They cannot be addressed just by the government, but we all need to work together across sectors and at all levels of our society,” she said.

With the “Save from Extinction” campaign, Secretary Yulo recognized that conservation requires a bold and inclusive approach; one that introduces innovative and practical solutions to support on the ground conservation programs for the six species.

Cat Arambulo-Antonio

DENR Sec. Loyzaga

SM Supermalls president Steven Tan

DENR, SM Supermalls, and partner organizations World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, Zoological Society of London - Philippines, Forest Foundation Philippines, D’Aboville Foundation, Katala Foundation, and the Philippine Eagle Foundation

Hanna Carinna Sy

Manila Bulletin president Dr. Emilio C. Yap III

Marie Field Faith

For her part, Hanna Carinna Sy, assistant vice president for marketing at SM Supermalls, shared SM Supermalls’ effort to turn awareness into action.

“These animals are part of our national heritage, and their future, as well as our own, depends on what we do today. We are launching our exclusive merchandise from Kultura, the SM Store, and Toy Kingdom. The proceeds of which will be donated to the campaign,” said Sy. Branches of Banco De Oro Unibank will also participate as channels for the advocacy.

The campaign aims to raise funding of P100 million that will be donated to key conservation partners such as the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, Zoological Society of London - Philippines, Forest Foundation Philippines, D’Aboville Foundation, Katala Foundation, and the Philippine Eagle Foundation. Their action plans include habitat protection, species-specific conservation, wildlife rescue, and community-based efforts to ensure biodiversity and ecosystem health. “Every effort is a step towards a real impact,” added Sy. “We look forward to making a difference together.”