Leading the charge to save endangered species

The Philippines, a biodiversity hotspot, faces a pressing conservation crisis. Six species, including the pangolin, Philippine eagle, tamaraw, Philippine turtle, cockatoo, and dugong, are teetering on the brink of extinction due to human activities like illegal hunting, poaching, and habitat destruction.

To address this urgent issue, a coalition of organizations, including SM Supermalls, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), BDO, Kultura, World Wide Fund For Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines), the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the Zoological Society of the Philippines, the Katala Foundation, the D’Aboville Foundation, and the Forest Foundation Philippines, has launched the “Save from Extinction” initiative.

 This collaborative effort, formally signed during the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, aims to raise awareness, generate funds, and mobilize volunteers protect these endangered species.

These include a donation drive, the option to donate through BDO ATM machines nationwide and donation boxes placed in various SM malls, the sale of Kultura merchandise with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the initiative, and an awareness campaign featuring the endangered species across SM malls and partner organization platforms.

To get involved, you can donate cash at SM Supermalls or BDO ATMs nationwide. Additionally, you can support the cause by purchasing Kultura merchandise, with proceeds going directly to the conservation efforts. If you’re passionate about spreading awareness, join the campaign and share information about these endangered species with your friends and family.

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Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga raised alarm bells on the plight of the six aforementioned species, emphasizing how much pride we take in them while also putting them on the endangered list.

SM Supermalls president Steven Tan echoed this sentiment, urging everyone to join the effort. “Every positive step we take, no matter how small, contributes to a greater impact. Together, let’s be the voice for wildlife and work towards a sustainable future where these incredible animals thrive,” he said.