AN ADDITIONAL 25 Bantay Bukid were deputized on Friday, July 11, to boost conservation and monitoring efforts in Mt. Apo National Park (MANP) with indigenous ecological skills.
The new batch of Protected Area field officers belonged to the unified Bagobo Tagabawa tribe, bringing the total number of active volunteer forest guards to 50.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI, through the MANP Protected Area Management Office, and the Philippine Eagle Foundation officially deputized the second batch of volunteers.
Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF director for operations, said the deputation of the forest guards emphasizes their role in taking care of the oldest nesting site of the Philippine Eagle.
Ibañez said there are 10 nesting territories in Mount Apo Key Biodiversity Area, all within ancestral domains.
“The Philippine Eagle conservation is already embedded in the tribe’s Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan, so they can appreciate the need to care for the biodiversity within their ancestral domain,” Ibañez said.
The responsibilities of these officers include keeping track of various flora and fauna, which serve as indicators of the ecosystem’s health.
He added that the Bantay Bukid underwent training in setting up camera traps to monitor the food of the Philippine eagle.
“Ang gusto naming ma-achieve kasama ng mga forest guards ay para din malaman kung ang patrolling ay nagreresulta sa pagdami ng mga pagkain ng Philippine Eagle,” he said.
Ibañez said the Bantay Bukid will also prevent illegal activities such as illegal logging, wildlife hunting, and other destructive activities that continue to threaten the lives of the Philippine Eagle.
According to PEF data, in 2020, there were a total of 20 Philippine Eagles rescued, the highest rescue rate in the history of PEF conservation efforts.
Of this number, seven were trapped, and seven were gunned down by marble guns. About 18 of these rescues are juvenile eagles.
Clint Michael Cleofe, MANP Protected Area superintendent OIC, said the involvement of the indigenous community is vital, as protecting the Philippine Eagle goes hand in hand with preserving the forests.
“Kay kung atoang mangong maprotektahan ang Philippine Eagle, maprotektahan pod nato ang lasang, maprotektahan pod nato ang protected area sa Mount Apo National Park,” Cleofe said.
The new batch will be strategically deployed to Barangay Sibulan and surrounding areas within the Toril District in Davao City. The volunteers will receive compensation to support their livelihood and sustain their efforts.
Funding will be sourced from the revenues generated by the MANP through its resource users to provide the park’s revenue back into the local community.
“Mas maayo pod nga kana nga income, atoa pod ibalik didto sa community alang, aron nga mahatagan og oportunidad sila nga duna pod silay alternatibo nga panginabuhian pinaagi aning patrolling nato sa atoang kalasangan,” Cleofe said.
The official said the deputation of Bantay Bukid will also contribute to the bid of Mount Apo to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
UNESCO looks at the participation of the local community, especially the indigenous peoples, in managing, protecting, and conserving Mount Apo.
“Now, if they see our deputized officers actively patrolling our mountain, this is a huge help or plus points for our evaluators who will be coming here to our area this August 2026,” he said.
The DENR aims to eventually achieve an ideal monitoring ratio of one ranger per 1,000 to 2,000 hectares to ensure comprehensive coverage of the protected area.
