Haribon’s two biologists both participated in the Poster Presentations with their entries. Mr. Kevin Carlo Artiaga presented “Raptor observations in Mt. Susong Dalaga, San Luis, Aurora Province” authored by himself and Mr. Daniel Miguel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
J Kahlil Panopio giving a few words on his experience in the WCSP Symposium during the closing programme.
Last month, Haribon Foundation kept in touch with its roots in conservation science by participating in the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines (WCSP) 22nd Philippine Biodiversity Symposium on April 16-19, 2013. The WCSP Symposium is a scientific conference for Philippine wildlife and conservation research, mainly in the terrestrial field. This year’s symposium, which is themed Cultural and Biodiversity Values of Conservation Areas, was held in Central Mindanao University in Maramag, Bukidnon.
Haribon’s two biologists both participated in the Poster Presentations with their entries. Mr. Kevin Carlo Artiaga presented “Raptor observations in Mt. Susong Dalaga, San Luis, Aurora Province” authored by himself and Mr. Daniel Miguel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The poster presents raptors observed in a survey by DENR Region III’s Regional Eagle Watch Team (REWT), which Haribon participated in. The results were discussed in the context of conservation concerns for biodiversity near human communities.
Meanwhile, Mr. J Kahlil Panopio discussed “On the Conservation of Nationally Threatened Birds of the Philippine”, which brings attention to the need for updating the national list of threatened bird species, as well as for the lack of official protection to majority of the Important Bird Areas in the Philippines.
In connection with the theme, the keynote presentation of the symposium was presented by Dr. Mark Infield, director of Cultural Values and Conservation of Flora and Fauna International. His talk put forth some remarkable ideas on the dangers of placing too much emphasis on the economic value of the benefits of ecosystems to the point that their cultural values and significance forgotten.
Another noteworthy event was the decision of the WCSP General Assembly to support Katala Foundation Inc. (KFI) by making a resolution condemning the proposed coal-fired power plant in Narra, Palawan, just opposite to the Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS). The WCSP issued the resolution due to the plant’s threat to the population of the critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo in RIWS, as well as its other wildlife.
The new Haribon biologists posing with their posters
with their mentor, Haribon Ex-COO and WCSP
Board Member Emeritus, Mr. Blas Tabaranza Jr.
The WCSP Symposium has a great impact to biodiversity conservation in the Philippines, because it serves as the venue for scientists doing work in conservation of terrestrial ecosystems. Here, researchers are able to interact with colleagues in their field, and thus fosters collaborations that are of mutual benefit to the people involved. Young scientists also get to interact to the eminent researchers in their field, and have the opportunity to become inspired by role models.
As a research organization, it has always been Haribon’s stand that successful conservation actions need to be grounded on sound scientific evidence. Our participation in the symposium is a homage to this commitment.
