DENR and SM partner to save critically endangered PHL species
(L-R) Hubert D’Aboville - President and Executive Director, D’Aboville Foundation and Demo Farm, Inc.; Mary Edwina D. Garchitorena - Country Director, Zoological Society of London-CMRP Philippines, Inc.; Dennis Joseph Ilustre Salvador - Executive Director, The Philippine Eagle Conservation Program Foundation; Steven T. Tan - President, SM Supermalls; Hanna Carinna Sy - Assistant Vice President for Special Events and Tenant Marketing, SM Supermalls; Hon. Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga - Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Sarah Jessica Navarro - First Vice President, BDO; Katherine Custodio – Executive Director, World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines; Indira Dayang Lacerna-Widmann – Program Director, KATALA Foundation.
SM Supermalls has teamed up with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and some of the nation’s most respected organizations, each with expertise in wildlife conservation, to protect six critically-endangered animals found in the Philippines. The campaign -- launched in partnership with Kultura, Banco De Oro Unibank, Inc. (BDO), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP), the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the D’Aboville Foundation (DAF), the Philippine Eagle Conservation Program Foundation (PEF), and KATALA Foundation -- aims to raise both awareness and funds to safeguard these species and the communities that depend on them.
Hans Sy and Hanna Carinna Sy with His Excellency Kamal Kishore, Head of the UNDRR and Hon. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of UNDRR Regional Office for Asia Pacific, during the Save From Extinction MOU signing event
The DENR and SM Supermalls are working with the following organizations for the conservation of these species:
The Dugong, a gentle marine mammal often seen in the waters surrounding the Philippines, and the Philippine Turtle, including several endangered sea turtle species, are supported by Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Foundation Incorporated (KKPFI)/WWF-PH,
The Philippine Cockatoo, also known as the red-vented cockatoo and native to the country’s forests, is protected by the KATALA Foundation,
The Philippine Eagle, the country’s national bird known for its majestic size and critically low population, is conserved by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, and
The Tamaraw, a dwarf buffalo found only on the island of Mindoro, is looked after by the D’Aboville Foundation (DAF), and
The Pangolin, a critically endangered scaly mammal from Palawan, is championed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
As part of the “Save From Extinction” campaign, SM Supermalls will provide key platforms to promote awareness through posters, videos, and fundraising booths in its malls. Participating malls include SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Makati, SM Aura, and SM Mall of Asia, starting October 18. These booths will feature exclusive merchandise from Kultura, with proceeds supporting conservation efforts.
