New Specie of Owl Discovered in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

A photo taken in February and released by the Biodiversity Conservation Programme (BCP) shows one of the ten new species of owl -- Ninox-Reyi -- found in Tawi-Tawi, on the southern island of Mindanao. Scientists and birdwatchers discovered the ten new owl species in the Philippines, using advanced recording equipment that can distinguish between their hoots. - (photo courtesy of AFP with the following news article @ http://www.afp.com/en/news/topstories/new-owl-species-discovered-philippines )

Tawi-Tawi's geographical location makes it difficult for local and foreign tourists alike to experience and explore.  It being located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, makes it even harder to be considered a vacation destination because of the rampant news of aggression and security issues.  Unknown to many, however, is the fact that Tawi-Tawi is an untamed group of paradise islands. 

Dr. Filemon G. Romero, Tawi-Tawi's very own environmental scientist said in a statement, "It is not only our marine waters that contain new records in science. We are also proud to be the home of the Sulu bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba menagei), Blue-winged racquet-tail (Prioniturus verticali Strigidae), Mantanani scops-owl (Otus mantananensis), Sulu hornbill (Anthracoceros montani), Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), rufous-lored kingfisher (Todirhamphus winchelli) and the Tawitawi brown-dove (Phapitreron cinereiceps). We also have the endemic species of rat (meaning only found in Tawi-Tawi (Muridae Rattus tawitawiensis) and new species of pig (Sus spp. nov.). Tawi-Tawi Island also supports a population of slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) - Kokam, a Sundaic primate that is not found elsewhere in the Philippines (Heaney 1986). We also have the critically endangered Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) in Languyan and Panglima Sugala."

 

Youth for Nature Launches Pilot School for Project Implementation

In the hopes of inspiring young leaders to dream more, learn more and do more for Tawi-Tawi's environment, Youth for Nature has sealed an agreement with Notre Dame of Bongao to be its pilot school for the Project.

Terri Gonzales, Community Solutions Program Leader and Notre Dame's Directress and Principal Sister Maria Diane Fe T. Gillesania, OND met on January 8th 2013 and agreed to have an environmental project relating to the involvement and participation of the students from 7th and 8th Grades.  Sister Diana expressed interest in having an in-campus interactive activity wherein the students can learn how to reduce waste, recycle and reuse those that can still be saved and for the students to actively involve themselves in disseminating the knowledge and information to their homes and respective communities off campus.

Twenty-five (25) student leaders will form part of the core group who will undergo a capacity-building training and workshop on Volunteerism, Personal Leadership, Advocacy, Effective Communication and Team Building, as well as a separate workshop on innovative and interactive Information and Education Campaigns (IEC) methods on environmental conservation including a session on zero-waste project.  It will be held on February 25th and 26th with the help of Notre Dame Alumni Association.  The training and workshop will be a joint effort of Notre Dame Faculty, Alumni and friends and supporters of the CSP Leader.  

The Core Group will thereafter organize Youth for Nature within the school campus and encourage as many members to help them plan out their "Pay-it-Forward" Action Plan.
Terri is currently in talks with other schools in Bongao, capital town of Tawi-Tawi Province in the Philippines, for a possible collaboration for the implementation of this Project.

About Tawi-Tawi

HISTORICALLY, Tawi-Tawi was previously part of the province of Sulu. On September 11, 1973, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302, the new province of Tawi-Tawi was officially created, separating from Sulu. The seat of the provincial government was established in Bongao, the capital Municipality of the Province.



Tawi-Tawi occupies the Southernmost frontier of the Philippines bounded on the northwest part by Sulu Sea, and on the south is the eastern part of Celebes Sea.  Tawi-Tawi is peopled by 4 Cultural Communities: Tausug, Sama, Bajau and Jama Mapun. The Capital town is Bongao (pronounced Bung-gao).  The name of Tawi-Tawi is a projection of the Malay word "jauh" meaning "far." Prehistoric travelers from the Asian mainland would repeat the word as "jaui-jaui" to mean "far away" because of the distance of the islands from the continent of Asia. The word "Tawi-Tawi" was picked up to later become the official name of the province. 

Caring for the Future, Caring for Nature

Let's help Tawi-Tawi's natural resources. Be an agent of change. Be a youth for nature!

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