KATRIBU Partylist turned over rescued juvenile eagle to DENR:Lumad “rescuer” and local leaders named eagle as “Katribu”

Davao City --- Leaders of Katribu Partylist turned over to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Crocodile Center a 1 year – old Hawk Eagle found by one of Katribu members yesterday (May 6).

Members of Katribu Partylist from Paquibato immediately reported to leaders of Katribu Partylist, who happened to be in the area, that a Hawk Eagle has been found and an informal turn-over program was held.

Leaders of Katribu in Paquibato symbolically baptized the eagle with the name “Katribu.” to signify the unity among the “bisaya” and lumad residents in Paquibato in defending eagles, their habitat and the environment as a whole. This, as problems on land disputes over NCIP-titled ancestral domains and DAR-stewardship certificates, and illegal logging prevail in the area.

Felix Natinggor, a resident of Brgy Mapula, Paquibato District found the young hawk eagle on his way to his farm in the interior part of Brgy Mapula, Paquibato District.

"Pag-agi nako sa may lati, naa'y dakong kahoy murag nahulog sa gisalagan ug tungod sa kainit nagapiyak unya mura pud misulay paglupad ang agila apan wala kay dili pa kini kadaog sa iyang lawas," Natinggor said. He then contacted his group KATRIBU Partylist to facilitate the safe return of the endangered specie to the proper authorities.

“We thank Natinggor for sharing and supporting our environmental advocacies, which is why he asked for our opinion about what is best to do for the eagle. We are glad to be an instrument in saving this young eagle and we are hoping for its survival,” said Diolito Diarog, KATRIBU Davao City Coordinator, as he received the eagle from its rescuer noting that on June 4 – 13, the country will be celebrating the Eagles’ Day.

Natinggor together with the local leaders suggested that if possible, the eagle should be named “katribu” for its contribution to the unity among the tribes in Paquibato and for its services in the depressed areas in Paquibato such as in Barangays Mapula, Tapak, Colosas, Lumiad, Salapawan and Malabog even way back before the group joined the electoral race.

“Maayo pud ang gisugyot sa nakakita aning agila ug niuyon usab ang mga lokal nga lideres sa komunidad nga panganlan ni og ‘katribu’ kay karon kining hitaboa dili lamang simpleng pagturn-over sa maong agila kundili usa usab kini ka higayon nga napamatud-an na sab nga dako ang papel sa mga lumad sa pagpanalipod sa kinaiyahan ug mao kini ang usa sa mga mayor nga duso sa KATRIBU,” said Diarog.

KATRIBU also urged the local authorities and the lumad communities in Paquibato to be more vigilant in protecting the remaining biodiversity of Paquibato against illegal commercial logging as these destructive projects pose threats to the survival of eagles and other species.

“We have turned over the young eagle to the DENR with an appeal for it to further intensify its efforts in protecting the environment and natural resources of Davao. As we know, lumads’ survival and existence depends on the sustainability of the land,” said Diarog.

Diarog recounted that last April 14, KATRIBU together with environmental groups facilitated a dialogue between the CENRO EAST – DENR and the lumad leaders in Paquibato on how to resolve the illegal logging problem in the area. In the meeting, the lumad leaders urged the CENRO to give them proper authorization papers to institutionalize their role as forest guards who can enact citizens’ arrest and other preemptive measures against illegal loggers.

As of the turnover, Katribu will be under the sanctuary of the Crocodile Center. Members of Katribu partylist has been allowed by the center to visit Katribu in his own cage in Crocodile Park.#

FOR REFERENCE:
Diolito Diarog
Davao City Coordinator
Katribu partylist