Government institutions and conservation organizations are joining forces to restore the critically endangered Philippine Eagle population in Leyte. This initiative comes more than a decade after Super Typhoon Yolanda caused widespread forest destruction in Eastern Visayas.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VIII, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have formalized their collaboration to enhance the protection of the Philippine Eagle and its forest habitat.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed during the Protected Area Management Board meeting at Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park in Burauen, Leyte, on May 7.
The agreement aims to bolster environmental law enforcement, raise public awareness, and support community-based conservation efforts in Eastern Visayas, where the eagle population has plummeted due to habitat loss.
Restoration Efforts Post-Yolanda
Conservationists report that the forests of Samar and Leyte were severely damaged during Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, leading to a notable decline in eagle sightings.
In response, restoration and monitoring initiatives have been implemented to create suitable nesting and hunting grounds for the Philippine Eagle.
Since 2024, PEF has successfully released six Philippine Eagles in Burauen, marking a significant step towards repopulating Leyte's forests.
Arturo Salazar, DENR Regional Executive Director, emphasized that protecting the Philippine Eagle also involves conserving forests and supporting local communities reliant on these ecosystems.
This partnership will strengthen our collective capacity to enforce environmental laws and engage the public in conservation efforts.
Arturo Salazar, DENR Regional Executive Director
The MOA outlines responsibilities: DENR will lead forest management initiatives, PEF will offer technical expertise in wildlife monitoring, and the PNP will enhance enforcement operations and security during conservation activities.
Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, PNP Regional Director, reaffirmed the police force's commitment to supporting environmental protection initiatives.
Dr. Jayson Ibanez, PEF's director for operations, expressed gratitude to all partners for their collaborative efforts to ensure the future of the Philippine Eagle in Eastern Visayas.
The agreement also highlights the importance of local government units and upland communities in sustaining long-term conservation and forest protection initiatives.