DAVAO — A landmark partnership launched on September 1, 2026, bringing together government agencies, conservationists, and Indigenous communities to secure the future of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. The initiative marks a shift from protecting a single species to safeguarding entire landscapes and the people who steward them.
A Gathering of Guardians
The Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos became a meeting ground for conservation leaders and Indigenous representatives. DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna joined the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and partners from universities to formally launch the program. The event underscored a shared commitment to wildlife protection.
Indigenous leaders from Davao and Caraga regions participated actively in the proceedings. Their presence signals a recognition that eagle conservation cannot succeed without the involvement of those who live alongside the birds. The partnership honors traditional knowledge passed down through generations.
The Urgent Call to Action
The situation demands immediate action. Only 392 pairs of Philippine Eagles remain in the wild across Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao. Habitat loss continues to shrink the forests these birds depend on. Avoidable deaths, particularly of young eagles, further threaten the species' survival.
Secretary Cuna stressed that there is no luxury of time. Every forest patch kept intact and every active nest safeguarded matters directly. The program aims to address these threats through coordinated planning and community engagement. The goal is to create lasting protection, not temporary measures.
Indigenous Peoples as True Partners
A core principle of the initiative is recognizing Indigenous communities as rights holders and knowledge holders. The project integrates customary governance with conservation science. Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Planning will guide decisions across priority areas.
The Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor serves as the project's focus. Enhancement of existing ancestral domain plans will strengthen community conservation efforts. Spatial planning and community-based monitoring will combine indigenous knowledge with modern techniques.
Datu Rodino Domogoy of the Manobo tribe expressed gratitude for the recognition. He called on all Indigenous communities nationwide to protect wildlife through action, not just words. His appeal highlights the central role IPs play in forest conservation.
Building a Future for Both People and Wildlife
The five-year initiative includes ambitious plans beyond immediate protection. The Philippine Eagle Center will be developed as an eco-cultural tourism destination and conservation academy. Stakeholder consultations will shape educational programs and visitor experiences.
Integration of indigenous knowledge into tourism products will create authentic cultural exchanges. Climate resilience planning ensures the center can withstand environmental changes. The academy will train future conservation leaders.
One Eagle, Many Landscapes
The program embodies a holistic approach to conservation. Protecting the Philippine Eagle means protecting the forests where it flies. It means supporting the ancestral domains where those forests remain. It means empowering the communities that have stewarded these lands for generations.
The collaboration represents a new model for wildlife protection in the Philippines. Government agencies, conservation groups, and Indigenous peoples working together create a stronger foundation. The shared goal is a future where both wildlife and human communities thrive.
