The Department and Environment and Natural Resources and the Energy Development Corporation have signed a memorandum of agreement for the protection and conservation of six wildlife species in the country, including the Large Flying and Golden Crowned Flying Foxes in Negros island.

EDC has two geothermal power plants located in Bago City, Negros Occidental and Dauin in Negros Oriental.

Under the MOA, the EDC will initially provide P1.3 million for the first year of the implementation of the project.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the participation of EDC, the country's leading producer of geothermal energy, in DENR's “Adopt-A-Wildlife Species” program, will further boost their efforts to protect and conserve the country's wildlife and other biological resources, especially the endemic ones and those declared as endangered.

Aside from the Large Flying and Golden Crowned Flying Foxes that can be found in Negros Occidental and Oriental, Albay and Sorsogon, the other wildlife species covered by the agreement are those found in its various geothermal project sites, such as the Philippine Eagle in Mindanao and Leyte, Philippine Warty Pig and Philippine Brown Deer and the Philippine Eagle Owl in Albay and Sorsogon.

Instituted in June 2010 through DENR Administrative Order 16, the “Adopt-a-Wildlife” program seeks to provide an avenue for local government units, the private sector, nongovernment organizations, civil society groups and other entities, to participate in the national biodiversity conservation program for endangered species to prevent them from extinction.

The program is being implemented by DENR's Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau through a 5-year adoption scheme.

Richard Tantoco, EDC president, said “Wildlife conservation is an integral part of our biodiversity program in all our project sites.”

“The status of the flag species is our indicator of the health of the forest habitat and therefore, the sustenance of our water-based operation.  Our aim is the harmony of our geothermal operation with the natural cycle,” he said.

The DENR, on the other hand, will be responsible for the issuance of permits that may be needed for project-related activities, and also monitor and evaluate the implementation of the project. *GPB

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