𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑 𝟏𝟐 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐎 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐄𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞

 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑 𝟏𝟐 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐎 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐄𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞

𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐩𝐞𝐭, 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 - The DENR-12 Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Cotabato, in collaboration with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Matalam and the Mt. Apo Natural Park-Protected Area Management Office (MANP-PAMO) conducted simultaneous Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) drives across three barangays on October 20, 2024, to safeguard the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga 𝘫𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘪).

The Eagles were recently sighted in the forests of Magpet under the barangays of —Sallab, Imamaling, and Bangkal—which are known to be part of the eagles’ habitat range. A total of 398 individuals, including barangay officials and community members, participated in the educational campaign, which aimed to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and conserving the Philippine Eagle.

The sessions covered critical topics, including the eagles’ conservation status, their role in maintaining ecological balance, and the legal framework surrounding wildlife protection, specifically Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Participants were particularly informed about the illegal acts and penalties related to wildlife harm, such as poaching and habitat destruction, underscoring the critical need for community cooperation in preserving the Philippine Eagle’s habitat. To enhance understanding and engagement, IEC materials were distributed to the participants, while signages were installed in key locations across the three barangays to warn the public of potential legal consequences for violating wildlife protection laws.

The activity was part of a broader initiative between PENRO Cotabato, CENRO Matalam, and LGU Magpet to establish Local Conservation Areas (LCAs) across several barangays in the municipality. The conservation initiative aims to create a safe environment where the Philippine Eagle can thrive and ensure the long-term protection of the species.