MANILA, Philippines — The mighty Philippine eagle soaring like the king of the skies. The musical Philippine cockatoo making its characteristic bleating call. The gentle pawikan swimming quietly in the waters of Palawan. The resilient tamaraw carefully toiling. The curious dugong gracefully swimming in the oceans, the ripple of its body making people think there really are mermaids. The quiet Philippine pangolin so peaceful that poachers come and take them away.
These are just some of the most majestic and enthralling animals that can only be found in the Philippines. More than just symbols of Philippine heritage, these animals, just like all other creatures on earth, are guardians of the ecosystem, playing a crucial role in protecting the country’s ecological balance and contributing significantly to maintaining the circle of life.
Unfortunately, these awesome creatures are also some of the most critically endangered animals, and they could become extinct soon if no human intervention is made to reverse it.
Taking matters into their own hands and opening the opportunity for everyone to contribute his share to save these endangered species in the Philippines, SM and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched the Save from Extinction campaign in October 2024.
The initiative sought to raise awareness of the need to protect these endangered animals. With BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) as a major partner, SM and the DENR recently launched the second phase of the campaign.
The target is to raise P100 million in funds, to be matched by another P100 million from the DENR for the conservation of these six species — the Philippine eagle, Philippine cockatoo, pawikan, tamaraw, dugong, and pangolin — through non-government organizations, such as the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, Philippine Eagle Foundation, Zoological Society of London, D’Aboville Foundation, and Katala Foundation.
Apart from the donation drive, SM has unveiled a special collection of plushies, clothing and tote bags representing the six critically endangered species.
The means is to donate money to raise the funds needed to save these endangered species from extinction.
The bank is now accepting donations in ways convenient to donors. Here are ways to donate to the Save From Extinction campaign:
Through BDO ATM, insert your debit card and select ‘More’ among the transaction categories. Choose ‘Make a Donation’ and then ‘Save From Extinction.’ Donate any amount.
Through a BDO branch, head for a Service Assist Machine and start a transaction. Select ‘Pay Bills,’ then choose ‘Pay Bills by Cash.’ Search ‘Forest Philippines Foundation,’ input your details, and take your queue number. Pay at the counter.
Donations can also be made through its online website, app, or pay app. Select ‘Pay Bills’ and search ‘Forest Philippines Foundation’ as the biller. Accomplish the needed fields and enter the amount to be donated.
Current crisis
“Biodiversity loss is no longer a future risk. It is a current crisis. We are losing forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other critical habitats faster than we can restore them,” said an official from the DENR. “As the risks are complex, they cannot be addressed just by the government. We all need to work together across sectors and at all levels of our society.”
“We are bringing in new tools and platforms that will make it easier for people to do their share and contribute directly,” noted the DENR official.
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