Buy merch, help save endangered species from extinction
You may be aware that the Philippine eagle, considered one of the rarest eagles in the world, is the national bird. You may have heard of the tamaraw (Mindoro dwarf buffalo), pawikan (sea turtle), and dugong, which is a marine mammal. But what about the Philippine pangolin and Philippine cockatoo?
The clock is ticking fast for these six most endangered species in the country, thus every conservation effort counts. This is possible through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s campaign called ‘Save from Extinction,” which has the support of wildlife conservation groups and advocates from the corporate world and the general public.
“Save from Extinction” is not only a mission initiated by the government agency, as pointed out by DENR secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga in her speech at the launch of the campaign’s second phase on May 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium. It also underscores the shared responsibility of citizens to protect the country’s natural heritage.
Yulo-Loyzaga then put the spotlight on the six animals that are in danger of being wiped out. She called them keystone species that “play essential roles in maintaining the health and balance of our ecosystems so that others, including human beings, may actually thrive.”
“Biodiversity loss is no longer a future risk,” she stressed. “It is a current crisis. We are losing forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other critical habitats faster than we can restore them and than they can regenerate on their own.”
Working together
The environment head added, “Our species are being pushed to the brink by illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking, pollution, and the growing impacts of climate change. And while we have seen some progress in some areas, it is clear that much more needs to be done. As the risks are complex, they cannot be addressed just by government.
“But we all need to work together across sectors and at all levels of our society. We are here today because we believe that conservation needs to embrace a new and more inclusive approach. One that makes it possible for everyone to see these threats with their own eyes and hopefully from their own hearts.”
“Save from Extinction” aims to raise P100 million through its corporate partners led by SM. The target sum will then be matched by DENR using its own funds to maximize the conservation efforts.
Its allies in safeguarding the six endangered animals are Forest Foundation Philippines, Katala Foundation, Philippine Eagle Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature–Philippines, D’Aboville Foundation, and the Zoological Society of London.
In line with the conservation campaign, SM strengthens the support it’s been giving since “Save from Extinction” was established in October 2024. It now has a new merchandise line featuring the images of the Philippine eagle, Philippine cockatoo, Philippine pangolin, pawikan, dugong, and tamaraw.
Aside from cuddly toys from Toy Kingdom, the merchandise line includes new shirt designs from Kultura and a children’s apparel line from SM Fashion. These are available in select Kultura and Toy Kingdom branches at the Podium, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM North EDSA, and SM Makati.
Proceeds from each purchase in the collection will directly support the conservation programs of the DENR and its partner nongovernmental organizations. And that’s how the general public can help save the six most endangered species in our country from being wiped out.
