How familiar are we with the species found in our province Bukidnon, Philippines? Isn’t it ironic that we, Filipinos, are more familiar with the species found in other countries (lion, kangaroo, elephant, etc…)? This was the feeling of awkwardness that most of the crowd felt during the Monthly Convocation of the provincial government of Bukidnon attended by Provincial Governor Alex P. Calingasan with the department heads and employees of the provincial capitol.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Officer Forester Felix S. Mirasol, PhD was able to open our eyes with this reality when he displayed pictures of the birds found in Bukidnon and made us identify them one by one. Because most of us were not able to identify them correctly, he encouraged and challenged us to be familiar with the endangered species found here in our forests.

How many of us have seen the pictures of the birds Bagobo Babbler, Sun Bird, Flying Foxes? Some of us only recognized the small bird “maya” and the rest made us frown and surprised because it’s our first time to glance pictures of the birds found in the mountains of Bukidnon.

Accordingly, there are 125 species found in Mt. Kitanglad, at Barangay Intavas, Impasugong town and almost one-half of it is identified as endangered. This mountain is also the home of the Philippine Eagle (considered as the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length). But, have u seen the Philippine Eagle personally? I assumed that most of us were not able to see it yet. Foreigners from all over the world visited the province just to come up close and personal with this bird.

Dr. Mirasol claimed that PENRO doubled its effort in safeguarding the Protected Areas and Wildlife in Bukidnon. He enumerated these areas such as the Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Kalatungan, Mt. Tago, Mt. Pantaron, Mt. Tangkulan, Mt. Kimangkil together with the caves within this province.

Dr. Mirasol hoped that one of these days, we will explore and enjoy the beautiful province of Bukidnon for us not to be a stranger in our own home.

With this regard, Dr. Mirasol extended his big thanks to Provincial Governor Alex P. Calingasan and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, Jr. in their support for the programs and projects of the PENRO for our environment.