DAVAO Light and Power Company Inc. (Davao Light) and Aboitiz Foundation officially turned over a P2 million prefabricated facility for the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS) Laboratory of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) on Friday, December 19, 2024, in Barangay Eden, Toril, Davao City.
According to Davao Light Chief Operating Officer (COO) Enriczar T. Tia, the incubation facility will play a crucial role in ensuring the successful hatching and preservation of the next generations of the critically endangered species.
“The laboratory will be instrumental in providing a safe and controlled environment for incubating Philippine Eagle eggs,” Tia said during the ceremonial turnover ceremony.
The facility will have special sleeping and resting areas for the staff members who will be taking care of the eagles in addition to the incubation rooms.
“The success of the breeding program depends on the crew having enough room and time to continue providing the eagles with the high level of care and attention that they require,” Tia said.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this vital cause and to work alongside PEF who is dedicated to the survival of the Philippine Eagle. Together, we take a meaningful step toward ensuring that our national bird continues to thrive as a symbol of our nation’s natural heritage,” he added.
Davao Light and Aboitiz Foundation have also donated P50,000 financial support to PEF to fund the recently developed software called the “Banog App”, an online application where environmental volunteers and forest guards known as “Bantay Bukid” will be trained on how to use online resources in protecting the upland water sources and forests.
Last November, the short-lived fate of Chick #30, the first Philippine eaglet hatched at the NBBS died due to respiratory distress.
PEF in a statement described Chick #30’s passing as a “solemn reminder of how delicate chick-rearing can be and how critically endangered species are particularly vulnerable.”
According to PEF, the 18-day-old male Philippine eaglet started exhibiting signs of respiratory illness including sneezing and difficulty breathing.
The foundation further stated that even though the chick received emergency assistance, his condition deteriorated. DEF