World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Emmanuel “Manny” L. Pacquiao is advocating the conservation of the Philippine Tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world.
Pacquiao pledged yesterday P100,000 for the conservation and breeding of the Philippine Tarsier at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City.
“Paano pa natin maipagmamalaki ang ating likas na yaman kung mawawala na ang mga ito dahil sa ilegal na mga gawain? Tulad na lang ng tarsier sa Bohol. Pag di natin inalagaan ay baka mawala (How can we give pride of our natural resources if it will only vanish due to illegal activities? Just like the Tarsier in Bohol. If we do not take care of it, it will vanish),” Pacquiao said.
The endemic species, considered to be one of the smallest primates in the world, is only four to six inches or 15 centimeters in height and weighs around 117 to 134 grams. Three Tarsier species can be found in Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and some parts of Mindanao.
DENR Secretary Jose “Lito” L. Atienza Jr. said the P100,000 fund will go to the national Tarsier conservation program.
During Pacquiao?s visit to the DENR last October, shortly after winning his match against Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, he pledged an initial P100,000 for the conservation of the Philippine Eagle.
Pacquiao initiated the undertaking in line with the thrust of the DENR?s Task Force Luwas Kinaiyahan. It is headed by Pacquiao.
He said that Luwas Kinaiyahan, which means “Ligtas Kalikasan” or “Save Nature” is derived from the local dialect.
Atienza said the task force was launched before Pacquaio left for training to the United States last November.
“The task force led by a volunteer group will be guarding logging activities and transport of logs in Mindanao. Manny (Pacquiao), as head of the task force, is his advocacy and manner of volunteerism, considering his natural role as a leader. He was also tasked to head because he has the capability to mobilize public action against illegal logging as a personality. Fight against illegal loggers is very, very effective,” Atienza said.
Pacquiao said his work with the task force would save the residents of Mindanao from the continuing destruction of the forest.
“Kapag wala tayong ginawa, ang mga maliliit na mamamayan ang mahihirapan. Tulad na lang sa Surigao, Davao Oriental, at Cotabato, malalakas ang logging dyan kaya kailangan natin bantayan (If we do not act, those common people will suffer the most. Just like in Surigao, Davao Oriental, and Cotabato, logging is rampant there which we have to look after),” Pacquiao said, adding that he personally visits areas in Mindanao where illegal logging activities are reportedly being conducted.
