By Leene Camo
Every year, from June 4 to 10, the country celebrates Philippine Eagle Week in honor of and to educate the public about on conservation of our national bird and its natural habitat. Recognized as one of the world’s largest avian predators, it has sadly become a critically endangered because of deforestation.
For the past 10 years, one of these Philippine birds of prey has been a beacon of hope for conservationists. Her name is Pangarap, AboitizPower’s adopted and sponsored eagle and one of the few females left of her species who is eligible for breeding, now through artificial insemination.
AboitizPower’s sponsorship, which has amounted to around PHP1.5 million over the past decade, has helped Pangarap receive the necessary medication and care, as well as proper dieting and preparation for breeding through the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) at its Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City.
Pangarap celebrated her 21st hatchday earlier this year, on February 24, which was marked by a special event jointly led by AboitizPower and PEF. Over 50 students and guests came to the Center to witness and learn about the majestic species.
We are so thankful to Pangarap’s Ninongs and Ninangs from AboitizPower for their support over the past 10 years, and for making these kinds of experiences for the kids of our neighboring communities possible.
– Carla Salvacion, Education Administrator, Philippine Eagle Foundation
Today, Pangarap remains healthy and safe at the Center where sprig offering will soon commence. It is done by the PEF team to simulate a courtship ritual among eagles, which is especially important for mal-imprint eagles who need to establish a rapport with the animal keepers to prepare for insemination.
The breeding team is committed to improving the productivity of the male mal-imprints. PEF hopes that, in time, their female eagles, including Pangarap, can all undergo successful conjugal artificial insemination and lay the foundation for a new generation of majestic raptors.
Our support for the Philippine Eagle Foundation is a testament to AboitizPower’s commitment to conserving biodiversity and wildlife. At AboitizPower, we strive to live by our core value of responsibility — responsibility to our customers, responsibility to our communities, and responsibility to our environment.
– Emmanuel V. Rubio, President and CEO, AboitizPower
During Philippine Eagle Week, AboitizPower and PEF recognize the challenges that the Philippines’ national bird faces under its critical endangerment. There is a need for a wider understanding of the conservation efforts needed to preserve the jewel of the archipelago, in order for it to remain for generations to come.
