TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) is set to conduct a two-day egret census on January 22 and January 23, 2025, in Barangays Bulo, Tuga, and Cabaritan, as part of the Asian Waterbird Census. This annual event, held from January to February, monitors waterbird populations and evaluates the state of wetlands across the region.
Sanny Paga, Ecosystem Management Specialist at CENRO, detailed the schedule for the census. On January 22, the initiative will kick off with an information, education and communication (IEC) campaign starting in Barangay Agbannawag after which the team will proceed to Barangay Bulo later that day to count egrets during their “fly-in” period. The census will resume at the boundary of Barangays Cabaritan and Tuga on January 23.
Monitoring data reveals a worrying decline in the egret population within the city, especially in the target barangays. Estimates indicate that approximately 3,000 Egrets remain in these areas, a sharp drop from 4,000 recorded in previous years.
Paga cited several factors contributing to the decline, including hunting, as some locals capture egrets for food. Other threats include the “kaingin” farming method, where forested areas are cleared for corn plantations, the conversion of rice fields into residential zones, and rapid commercial development.
To address these challenges, CENRO will also highlight the enforcement of Republic Act 9147, or The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act which seeks to regulate activities that endanger wildlife and aims to conserve species and habitats to maintain ecological balance.
Through the egret census, CENRO hopes to raise awareness about the threats to wildlife, promote sustainable practices, and secure the conservation of Tabuk’s natural resources for future generations. By Jesse Maguiya