Conservation advocates and biodiversity experts convened in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, on November 28-29, 2024, for a pivotal Action Planning Workshop focused on protecting and conserving the critically endangered Philippine Tamaraw.
The workshop, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Tamaraw Conservation Program (DENR-TCP), focused on the essential role of communication strategies in protecting the Philippine Tamaraw and its habitat. The event brought together experts and advocates of biodiversity policies and initiatives whose collaborative efforts aim to improve Tamaraw habitat management and conservation.
The workshop laid the groundwork for drafting a Tamaraw-focused communication plan. The participants developed the plan by evaluating legal frameworks, management practices, and local policies tied to conservation efforts. Key sessions included developing a roadmap to improve local policies, identifying target audiences, crafting tailored messages, and selecting appropriate communication channels.
Mr. Ernesto Tañada, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), opened the workshop by highlighting the significance of the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) and communication strategies in addressing conservation and protection challenges.
Meanwhile, a joint project of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), titled “Analyzing the Effectiveness of Awareness Interventions for the Protection and Conservation of the Philippine Tamaraw,” presented its initial findings and activities. This project aims to evaluate environmental policies related to Tamaraw conservation and protection, including assessing legal frameworks and integrating economic value-based approaches in local governance.
Promoting the use of research and development results, the event further solidified DOST-PCAARRD’s pivotal role in shaping science-based policies and fostering collaboration among conservation advocates.
Professor Mariboy Ysibido of Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC) presented best practices for developing a comprehensive communication plan for the effective dissemination of environmental policies and conservation efforts.
Moving forward, the drafted communication plan will guide ongoing and future programs, ensuring that Tamaraw conservation remains a priority. It also aims to improve public understanding and government commitment to Tamaraw protection efforts.
As the Philippine Tamaraw, a symbol of the country’s unique biodiversity, faces mounting threats, this initiative serves as a reminder of the power of informed communication and collective action in securing its survival.