They come from all over the country and around the globe — from Batanes to Zamboanga, and from Australia, United States, Guam, Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium — and they have one common goal: to discuss the state of biodiversity research and conservation in the Philippines.
Over 200 delegates convened at Silliman University for the four-day Philippine Biodiversity Symposium that began April 11. The delegates represented the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines, the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, NGOs, research institutions, and the academe.
Prompted by its theme Celebrating 20 Years, Preparing for Future Challenges, the four-day symposium reviewed the status of the country’s biodiversity over the past two decades, the growth and contribution of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and planning and networking to continue to advance wildlife research and conservation in the Philippines.
Former Environment Secretary Dr. Angel Alcala noted that only a few faculty members in selected higher education institutions were involved in biodiversity research in the early 1990s. “There is probably no question that WCSP has, through its annual symposia, contributed to the increasing number of teachers in HEIs who have been conducting research on biodiversity, and are involved to varying extent in conservation activities,” he said.
The annual symposium started 20 years ago when a group of 26 wildlife conservation practitioners met in Silliman to discuss conservation issues, and plot out collaborative researcher and conservation efforts. That fateful meeting turned out to be the first of yearly conferences with the number of participants growing each year.
WCSP said in its statement that the growing participation in the annual symposium demonstrates the increasing interest in biodiversity in the Philippines.
Sponsors of this year’s symposium included Flora and Fauna International, Conservation International, Bat Conservation International, the University of Kansas, The Field Museum of Natural History, and the province of Negros Oriental, and the office of 1st District Cong. Josie Limkaichong.
During the symposium, it was cited that Negros Oriental makes an excellent venue for this year’s symposium with its rich biodiversity that has been the target of conservation efforts from DENR and the local government through the Provincial Wildlife Conservation Council. (RMN/PIA-7)