The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSDS) through the ECAN Education and Extension Division (EEED) and District Management Division (DMD)-North, in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Roxas, Roxas ECAN Board, Katala Foundation Incorporated (KFI), and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) conducted IEC campaigns, Quiz Bee and Cosplay activities in line with the celebration of the Municipal Pangolin Day, in Roxas, Palawan, on February 17, 2022.
A total of 104 Roxas residents attended the event, including members of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, junior and senior high school students from various barangays in the municipality, officials from Barangays I, II, III, IV, V, and San Miguel, and residents from New Cuyo, Iraan, Taradungan, San Isidro, Dumarao, Minara, Rizal, and Tumarbong.
The notable persons and resource speakers during the event are Municipal Administrator Vic Lagera, LGU Roxas, Hon. Maria Angela Sabando, Member, Provincial Board of Palawan, Wilfredo Magdayao, Chairman, Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Environment, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Gil Valledor, Dr. Sabine Schoppe of Katala Foundation, Inc. (KFI), Mr. Edilberto “Edong” Magpayo of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), DMD-North staff Mr. Eduardo Cabrera, and PCSDS-EEED staff Ms. Rachell Ann Cariño and Mr. Robin James Sabuero.
Municipal Administrator Vic Lagera emphasized how the youth could help save the Pangolins in his opening message. In addition, Mr. Wilfredo Magdayao, Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Environment chairman, also urged the youth to band together to save the Pangolins and recognize them as the municipality’s flagship species.
Furthermore, 1st District Board Member Maria Angela Sabando stressed that the Pangolin has been designated as the municipality’s flagship species because these wildlife species protect their cashew trees from termites. She went on to say that they are also important in keeping their title as the Cashew Capital of Palawan.
The program entailed discussion on Pangolin’s role and importance in the environment, RA 7611 (SEP Law), RA 9147 (Wildlife Act), the distinction between PCSD and PCSDS, the need to refrain from using single-use plastics, and practicing the 10 Rs of sustainable living ( Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Refill, Repair, Repurpose, Regift, Rethink, Recover, and Restore), as well as Quiz Bee and Cosplay competition.
The event was organized to raise youth awareness of the importance of Pangolins to the environment and to instill in them the importance of their participation in protecting their municipality’s flagship species.