Mindanao bank joins effort to save RP eagle

The most extensive rural banking network in Mindanao has joined the effort to save the endangered Philippine Eagle by adopting one eagle as its own. One Network Bank, the largest rural bank in the country, signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) committing to shoulder expenses for the upkeep of one captive-bred Philippine Eagle at simple ceremonies held in Davao City today.

Alex Buenaventura, president of One Network Bank, led bank officials on a visit to the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Baguio District to see their adopted eagle. Buenaventura announced that they have named the eagle "Mindanao" in honor of the countless Mindanao folk that One Network Bank has long been serving.

Launched only this year, One Network Bank is the consolidation of three rural banks: the Rural Bank of Panabo, ProBank and Network Bank. Forty-six branches all over Mindanao serve the needs of common people, a thrust that inspired the adoption of the eagle Mindanao. Buenaventura said it seems fitting to take care of a species that is very much a part of the lives of many of their clients who live in known eagle nesting areas. "This is our commitment to the environment, particularly to Mindanao," he said.

Mindanao hatched on Dec. 10, 2001 from the natural pairing of eagles Ka Brianne and Jag. The male juvenile eagle is the fifth of seven offsprings that the pair has produced at the Philippine Eagle Center. Standing nearly a meter tall with a seven-foot wingspan, Mindanao belongs to the breed of eagles that are considered among the largest in the world.

Though it is one of the most imposing birds in the air, the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga. Jeffery) is also among the most threatened. A recent administrative order released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources lists the Philippine Eagle as one of 24 critically-endangered wildlife species under the protection of Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.

The PEF attributes the decline of Philippine Eagle populations to hunting and widespread habitat destruction. PEF executive director Dennis Salvador said One Network Bank’s commitment to environmental protection is a big push towards getting more people involved in the fight to save the national bird.

"The Philippine Eagle stands to gain more friends through this partnership. Through One Network Bank’s presence among many of our fellowmen, we hope to be able to influence more people to care for our environment. We are happy One Network Bank’s clients made this investment."

For over 20 years, the foundation has undertaken steps to curtail the trend of diminishing eagle populations, engaging in both on site and off site conservation actions through its four programs in field research, conservation breeding, community-based initiatives and conservation education.