Sustainability Partners

Haribon Foundation stands with the leading scientists from Silliman University to urge local and national government authorities to oppose and abandon the proposed 174-hectare “Smart” city reclamation project along the shores of the renowned university town in Negros Oriental.

The move to authorize the 174-hectare “Smart” city reclamation project without public consultation ignited an uproar among Dumaguete’s constituents most specially, its scientists. In a press release dated 11 July 2021 and signed by its current president, Dr. Betty McCann, two former presidents Dr. Angel Alcala and Dr. Ben Malayang III, its marine scientists Dr. Hilconida Calumpong, Dr. Rene Abesamis, Dr. Enrique Oracion, Dr. Janet Estacion, and Dr. Robert Guinoo, the group indicated that the proposed reclamation project will bury the biodiversity-rich coastal habitats of Dumaguete, impacting 63% of the 58ha of seagrass beds and 61% of the 60ha of coral reefs. These are equivalent to 1,047 and 1540 basketball courts respectively.

Dr. Angel Alcala, national scientist and former Haribon Board of Trustee and scientific advisor, led the marine protected areas (MPAs) movement in the Philippines. This movement started in Dumaguete City during his stint as the lead marine scientist in the Silliman University Marine Laboratory. Dr. Alcala and his team established the first community-based MPA, known today as Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, and became one of the most successful MPAs in terms of tourism and fisheries management. It continues to be a beacon of hope as one of the 228 Key Biodiversity Areas in the country (PH0164).

The Talarak Foundation Inc. is a conservation organisation based on Negros Island of the West Visayas. Talarak started maintaining and breeding some of the most endangered species endemic to the region, before moving into reforestation, site conservation and wild translocations for these species.

The primary goal of the foundation is to conserve and restore the native wildlife of Negros through; captive breeding, conservation education, research, public and political engagement, and releases of captive bred animals back into their natural habitats.