SMC rolls out bird feeding program in Bulacan

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. rolled out a sprawling feeding initiative for migratory birds in the country’s first ever biodiversity offset program (BOP) in Bulacan, where it is building a P740-billion airport complex and metropolis.

Through San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI), the group inaugurated the Saribuhay sa Dampalit project in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos, Bulacan. The pilot BOP will cover 40 hectares (ha) with plans to expand to 800 ha of offset sites across various areas, the conglomerate said in a statement over the weekend.

The project is aligned with the environmental and social standards of the International Finance Corp. Moreover, it has established a vital feeding habitat for a record number of visiting migratory birds, the statement showed.

“The Saribuhay sa Dampalit project is an integrative approach to development that respects and enhances the natural environment alongside our infrastructure objectives,” said SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang. “We firmly believe that progress and nature can coexist, benefiting both the ecosystem and the local community. We thank everyone involved—from our partners in government, environmental groups and local community members for helping make this possible ,” he added.

The launch was also attended by Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Undersecretary Augusto dela Pena, Undersecretary Ignatius Rodriguez, Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts and representatives from SMAI.

In the statement, Loyzaga hailed the project as the “first and the largest scale biodiversity offset project in the country.”

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Meanwhile, SMAI said it has implemented a variety of scientifically based actions to guarantee that the newly formed habitats are tailored to the precise requirements of the wildlife they are designed to safeguard.

More importantly, the BOP project has engaged local residents affected by the Bulacan Airport project, providing employment and raising awareness about the importance of preserving migratory shorebirds, the statement showed.