"NEGROS Wildlife Month 2008 was an outstanding success," said Dr. Joanne Justo, curator of the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation's Biodiversity Conservation Center (NFEFI-BCC) in Bacolod which organized the program.
 
"And it sent a very important message to Negrenses that our local wildlife is in serious danger and we have to act now to protect and conserve the diverse, colorful and remarkable endemic wildlife of the island," she added.

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Speaking last Friday at the final event at the West Negros University to mark this celebration of local wildlife, NFEFI president Paul Lizares and Dr. Justo expressed appreciation of everyone involved, especially the many students who took part and the organizations which gave the program much-needed financial support.
 
Main feature of the final day was the second Negros Island Wildlife quiz bowl held at the WNU. Occidental teams defended their crowns having taken first, second and third places over Oriental teams last year in Dumaguete.
 
Occidental took first and second places again. Winners were Anne Marie Amit and April Rose Torres from Sum-ag National High School. Second place went to Janine Elisa Espina and Dyan May Villanueva from St. Rose of Lima School. In third place were Paulin Vinna Ocat and Jeanette Grace Marie Dagoy from San Pedro Academy in Dumaguete City.
 
Winner of Wednesday's extemporaneous speech competition on environmental issues also held at the WNU was Orlen Kaye Zafra of La Consolacion College Bacolod-IS, followed by Rivi-Anne Feria from La Castellana High School in second place. Jecille Demonteverde from Domingo Lacson National High School took third spot.
 
First place in the wildlife essay writing contest, also at WNU, went to Lucellie Santibañez from WNU-IS. In second place was Donnah Kay Fuentespina from Sum-ag National High School. Alyssa Diaz from LCC-IS was in third place.
 
The 2008 Negros Wildlife Month was supported by GTZ, an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development, the Provincial Governor’s Office and Robinsons Place Bacolod.
 
It was organized by NFEFI in collaboration with the Governor’s office through the Provincial Environment Management Office; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; La Consolacion College-Bacolod; West Negros University and the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Education Program.

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(December 2, 2008 issue)
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