Endangered “Lawi” released back into wild in Barlig, Mt. Province

Mt. Province, Philippines – Barlig local officials and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office - Paracelis personnel freed on Feb. 01 a captured eagle back to the wild.

The recent ceremonial release held at the Eagle Structure, between the boundaries of Lias Silangan village and Chupac, Barlig is already the third time the locals have had to free endangered birds.

Back in 2005, two eagles of different species were simultaneously released at the same site, courtesy of then barangay chief Romeo Coffin. They were named "Changyasan" and "Fialikia" in honor of the place where they were found. The event brought conception to the construction of the Eagle Structure, informed Barlig LGU.

The third specie has been in the care of Merilyn and Edward Fogayong, the Punong Barangay of Gawana, Barlig two weeks before it was released. The couple wondered as to why the livestock on their farm at Sitio Chatol, Barangay Lingoy are decreasing. It was such a surprise for them when they caught the eagle devouring their caged chicken. It was later trapped in a net, giving them the opportunity to catch and tend the bird.

Knowing that the creature is endangered and it would be financially challenging to raise such, the village chief then reported the capture of what they call “Lawi” (eagle) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, thus its release.

During said ceremony, Ecosystems Management Specialist I Venancio Banawa explained Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, the legal basis for the mandatory release of wildlife creatures.

In her talk, EMS II Vilma Verna Bucatan lauded Fogayong’s initiative in reporting the eagle to appropriate authorities.

"This is a testament to the active wildlife presence and conducive habitat in the Municipality and this decision is commendable. Eagles only mate with one partner in their lifetime, thus, as we release this eagle, we are not depriving it of the opportunity to find its partner for possible reproduction," she stated.

The third eagle specie freed in the locality is still being validated by CENRO-Paracelis.

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