The city government of Mati in Davao Oriental and the Philippine Eagle Foundation Inc. (PEF) revisited an agreement for the protection of Philippine eagles that inhabit the vast Mt. Hamiguitan Range bordering Mati and the towns of San Isidro and Governor Generoso.

In a meeting at the office of Mayor Michelle Rabat on Wednesday, the mayor expressed her willingness to resume the agreement with PEF, which was stopped back in 2016, after a shooting incident that led to the death of eagle Pamana in August 2015.

The meeting aims to revisit and renew the previous contract based on the activities conducted by PEF, and the reactivation of the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary Management Council (PESMC).

PEF Director for Research and Conservation Jayson Ibanez presented the status of the project located in Barangay Cabuaya, City of Mati.

In 1993, an immature Philippine Eagle crash-landed by the shore of Cabuaya in Mati City. The bird was rescued and turned over to the PEF and was named “Kalayaan”.

By 2005, a Philippine eagle nest was discovered and has since been monitored and observed.

A seven thousand-hectare Philippine Eagle Sanctuary was then established through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 365, series of 2005.

In 2014, the Mt. Hamiguitan Range was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (PNA)