Asian Charm: JOINT ROTARY CLUB MEETING with FORMER AMBASSADOR LETICIA RAMOS SHAHANI

The Philippine Eagle in Davao City

The Philippine Eagle (pithecophaga jefferyi) is considered one of the largest eagles in the world. It has the countenance of regal majesty- snowy white plumes dappled with gray, a distinct crested head matched with a pair of sharp eyes and strong curved beak, a powerful eight- foot wingspan, and lethal preying claws. This majestic bird of prey has been saved from extinction and now a national symbol is sheltered at the Philippine Eagle Nature Center in Malagos. The Philippine Eagle Nature Center is a sanctuary for this endangered species. The center is primarily a breeding facility for the eagles but it is also a temporary habitat of different animals endemic in the region. Many species of indigenous flora, including the waling waling orchid, flourish in the park’s flawless natural beauty and rugged environment. The Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center in the Malagos rainforest in Calinan, 45 minutes away from downtown Davao.

Bat Sanctuary in Samal Island

or the Rousettus Amplexicaudatus. We’ve visited the Monfort Eco-Park last month which is located at Brgy. Tambo, Island Garden City of Samal. From there, we’ve learned the importance of bats in our ecosystem. Bats are important to the health of the rainforest: more than 70% of the trees in the rainforest currently exist because bats pollinate, distribute seeds and eat otherwise harmful insect pests. Bats are good pollinators, they pollinate flowers and spread seeds for fruits and they are the main reason on the abundance of Durian fruits in Davao City. Bat manure which is known as guano is one of Mother Nature’s most effective natural fertilizers. The Monfort Bat Cave was recognized by the Guiness World Records as the largest colony of fruit bats in the world by having 1.8 million Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bats. The Bat Sanctuary’s goal is to to conserve and protect the local bat species and habitat, to provide a place for ecologically safe and responsible bat research and to educate visitors and the local population through programs about the benefits of bats on the surrounding ecosystems. It is preserved and protected by its owner, Norma Monfort and by the local government.

Davao City - Pursuing the Gains in Literacy

For the third time, Davao City has won the prestigious National Literacy Award under the Highly Urbanized City category by the National Literacy Coordinating Council (NLCC), and the Department of Education (DepEd) last September 19, 2012 in Baguio City, and placed Davao City in the Hall of Fame. The city won the same award in 2008 and 2010. Under the same category, Pasay City placed second, followed by Butuan City, Tacloban City, Baguio City, and General Santos City. In the component city category, Balang City, Bataan won the award followed by Tabaco City, Tuguegarao City, Alaminos City, and Malaybalay City, while Plaridel, Bulacan won the municipality category. The Award best indicates the success of the city government's efforts in its untiring pursuit of excellence in literacy programs and projects to eliminate illiteracy in the city under its BAROG program (Barangay empowerment, Academe, Resources, Peace and Order and Governance) - a development thrust of the city government to further enhance the improved quality of life of everyone in Davao City. According to the 2010 census, 98.5 percent of the city’s population aged 10 years and over are considered literate. The population of 10 years old and above is 1.05 million or 73.06 percent of the city’s total population of 1,449,296.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

JOINT ROTARY CLUB MEETING with FORMER AMBASSADOR LETICIA RAMOS SHAHANI

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