Koronadal City, South Cotabato—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – 12, together with its field offices, actively celebrated World Wildlife Day 2024 with a series of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns. This year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” underscored the importance of funding conservation efforts while engaging communities in protecting biodiversity.
Sarangani Province: Protecting Marine Life
In Sarangani Province, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the Protected Area Management Office of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO SBPS) educated students and teachers on the critical roles of key marine species. These included the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), and Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). The campaign emphasized their significance in maintaining marine ecosystem balance.
Additionally, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Glan led a campaign on wildlife protection, while CENRO Kiamba highlighted the importance of Flying Fox Conservation, explaining how these bats play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal.
Sultan Kudarat: Inspiring Youth Engagement
To strengthen conservation commitment among the youth, PENRO Sultan Kudarat, along with CENRO Tacurong and CENRO Kalamansig, encouraged students to pledge support for wildlife conservation initiatives. Through educational game shows and the distribution of IEC materials, participants gained a deeper understanding of endangered wildlife and their ecological roles.
Cotabato Province: Tackling Illegal Wildlife Trade
In Cotabato Province, PENRO Cotabato engaged barangay authorities in discussions on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147). Awareness campaigns included distributing flyers and posters on endangered Philippine plants, such as Phlegmariurus magnusianus and the critically endangered Staghorn Fern (Platycerium coronarium). The initiative also uncovered illegal online plant trade operations, where individuals admitted to selling these plants since 2020 after sourcing them from Magpet, Makilala, and Kalinan in the Davao Region.
Environmental Education in Matalam and Midsayap
CENRO Matalam and CENRO Midsayap spearheaded IEC campaigns to enhance awareness of climate change mitigation and sustainable conservation strategies among students and local government units. Discussions focused on the importance of protecting diverse wildlife and implementing long-term environmental sustainability measures.
South Cotabato: Responsible Wildlife Handling
In South Cotabato, CENRO General Santos City conducted a wildlife handling workshop led by Rene Vie Unda, a Certificate of Wildlife Registration (CWR) holder, in collaboration with Tier One Exotics, a registered Wildlife Farm Permit (WFP) holder. Participants were trained on safe and ethical handling techniques in case of wildlife encounters.
Similarly, CENRO Banga partnered with Junoy Exotics and other CWR holders to educate MENRO participants from Norala and Lake Sebu on the proper care of domesticated wildlife. Among the species discussed were the Red Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), White Peacock (Pavo muticus), Ball Python (Python regius), Mexican Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius), Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps), and African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata).
A Global Call to Action
World Wildlife Day was established by the United Nations in 2013 to commemorate the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This annual celebration serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect global biodiversity amid habitat destruction, climate change, and human activities driving species to the brink of extinction.
By investing in conservation finance and raising public awareness, DENR-12 continues to champion the protection of wildlife and natural habitats, ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving and biodiverse environment.