GABALDON, Nueva Ecija – A triangular mountain in the tri-boundaries of this town with San Luis and Dingalan in Aurora was launched as a protected sanctuary for “Gab-e,” a bird that symbolizes the nation’s strength and power, and his family as the country celebrated its 116th anniversary of independence.
Preceded by the laying of wreaths by local officials, led by Mayor Rolando Bue and the community on the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at the municipal compound, the activity saw people from various sectors oriented on Mt. Mingan and its bio-diversity by the Haribon Foundation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Ma. Belinda Dela Paz, chief executive officer of Haribon, said that Mt. Mingan is a habitat not only to monkey- eating eagle Gab-e but to many animal species discovered after three months of study by Haribon, DENR and town representatives.
“Ang bundok ng Mingan ay tinaguriang sentro ng endemism ng mammals sa buong Luzon. Ang ibig sabihin ay ang mga mammals o hayop na nagpapasuso na endemic o dito lamang matatagpuan sa Pilipinas ay may pinakamaraming uri na matatagpuan sa bundok ng Mingan,” Dela Paz told the residents who also celebrated the municipality’s 64th founding anniversary.
She cited apomys minganensis (mouse) and the shrew rat or archboldomys as among those species that live in Mingan. “Maaring mga daga lamang sila pero ang dagang Pinoy ay sinasabing malinis dahil kinakain lamang nila ay mga tanim at uod at hindi tirang pagkain na gaya ng mga dagang siyudad na kasamang dumating sa Pilipinas ng mga Kastila,” she explained.
Bue said the presence of monkey-eating eagles in Mingan testifies to the sound condition of the mountain which is located in the middle of Sierra Madre. “This means we still have places to protect, places that protect us,” he said.
He vowed to create program to keep the mountain from destructive activities. Gab-e was first officially sighted by the team on March 24, 2014 fl ying parallel to Mingan River, according to J Kahlil Panopio, wildlife biologist from Haribon.
On the rainy morning of March 26, the eagle was seen resting on a branch of a tanguile tree, apparently drying its feathers. On March 23, it was seen from a short distance by observers and finally on March 28, the team found a pair of eagles flying over Mingan, one of which was carrying a monkey.
“Ang Haring ibon ay simbolo ng ating kalayaan at kasarinlan. Ito ang pinakamalaking agila sa buong mundo, siya ay tapat sa kanyang kabiyak at mapagkalinga sa anak. Matayog ang kanyang lipad, magiting at katangi-tangi dahil dito lamang ito matatagpouan sa Pilipinas,” Dela Paz said.
