Philippine Eagle Week, June 4 to 10

DENR Central Luzon is one with other regions in the country in the celebration of the Philippine Eagle Week this June 4 to 10.

This year’s theme, “Kapayapaan at Kalayaan: Ang Agila at Mamamayan, May Kaugnayan,” reminds us of the shared link that we have with our precious haribon—thus, upholding public participation in the protection of our environment that provides habitat to our wildlife.

Here in Central Luzon, a juvenile Philippine eagle was rescued in 2016 and freed in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range (SMMR) in Aurora, confirming decades-long stories of sightings of the country’s national bird in the region. The rescued raptor was named “Agawid,” an Ilocano word meaning “to go home.” Its rescue and release coincided with the confirmation of former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu. Before it was released back into to the Sierra Madre mountains, Agawid was fitted with a radio transmitter to help monitor its movements.

The discovery of Agawid paved the way for a more intensive scrutiny and protection of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. In fact, since 2016, two more Philippine Eagle nesting sites have been found in the SMMR, portions of Gabaldon and Bongabon in Nueva Ecija.

SMMR, the mountain range that homes our country’s most valued raptor, also serves as Central Luzon’s primary shelter and shield against oncoming typhoons, further underscoring the relationship between the Filipino people and the Philippine Eagle.

Caring for our forests and mountains is caring for the Philippine Eagle and caring for ourselves.

Sama-sama, tulong-tulong sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan, dahil ikaw, ako, #TayoAngKalikasan! (DENR-CL)