Philippine eagle has guardians in Leyte

BARANGAY MAHAGNAO, Burauen, Leyte – The Mamanwa tribe living in barangay Kagbana, this town, is helping protect the national bird.

Bernal Managbanag, the chief of the tribe, interviewed during the second Mahagnao outdoor festival held here recently, confirmed the presence of the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyii) in his barangay, saying that the big bird “can carry a wild piglet weighing 10 to 15 kilos.”

Managbanag said they observed that the eagle also eats snakes, monkeys, weasel and other animals.

The members of the Mamanwa participated in the festival that promoted environmental conservation, protection and ecotourism of the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park, here.

Managbanag said they recognize the bird as the Philippine eagle when personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, regional office (DENR), based in Tacloban City, this province, introduced to them the bird before Super Typhoon Yolanda hit in 2013.

Managbanag said they have been observing the presence of the bird in their area many years ago and there were people hunting the bird for food.

Managbanag said his tribe is protecting the bird on the request of the DENR.

DENR Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca told reporters that based on their initial assessment the Philippine eagle roams the forests in the Anonang-Lobi mountain ranges on the boundaries of the towns of BurauenJaro-Albuera and Ormoc City.

Sibbaluca said his men in the field are conducting further studies on how far the Philippine eagle ranges in the island of Leyte.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla said that when the confirmation about the existence of the Philippine eagle in his province reached him sometime in 2014, his office spread information for the protection of the bird and should not be harmed or shot as the bird is protected by law.

Petilla and Sibbaluca are appealing for support from the public, local government units, private organizations, stakeholders and other concerned government agencies to help preserve the Philippine Eagle.