Insular Foundation supports the release of Philippine Eagles in Leyte

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Insular Foundation supports the release of Philippine Eagles in Leyte

InLife President and CEO and Insular Foundation Vice Chairman Raoul Littaua (rightmost) activates the transmitter of Philippine Eagle named Uswag. The eagle was fitted with a solar-powered GPS/GSM tracker for remote monitoring. 

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Photo from the Philippine Eagle Foundation

Insular Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Insular Life (InLife), supported the milestone release of critically endangered Philippine Eagles in Leyte.

InLife President and CEO and Insular Foundation Vice Chairman Raoul Littaua said supporting the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s (PEF) research and conservation efforts resonates with the company’s mission to provide A Lifetime for Good. He noted that InLife and Insular Foundation are proud supporters of nationwide efforts to prevent the Philippine Eagle from becoming extinct. 

The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) lead the reintroduction (conservation translocation) of two Philippine Eagles named “Carlito” rescued in 2022, and “Uswag” rescued in 2023, to a prime habitat in Burauen, Leyte. The event was attended by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy to the Philippines Kathlyn Gonzales, Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund Chief Executive Officer Dr. Munir Virani, InLife President and CEO and Insular Foundation Vice Chairman Raoul Littaua, and PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador.
Photo from the Philippine Eagle Foundation

“The reintroduction of the Philippine Eagles in Leyte is the successful culmination of the research and feasibility studies that the Insular Foundation funded from 2018 to 2020. By reintroducing Uswag and Carlito to Leyte, we are effectively expanding their habitat, thereby significantly improving the chances of the Philippine Eagle’s survival for future generations,” said Littaua who is also a Trustee of the PEF.  

Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF’s Research and Conservation Director, said returning the Philippine Eagles to Leyte will help keep the health of the forest ecosystems.  

“We treasure the partnership we have with Insular Life. Providing multi-year support helps us a lot because we cannot deliver these outputs in just one or two years. This is a long-time project and we need long-time partners,” he said. 

Last month, the Insular Foundation signed an agreement for a P2-million donation to PEF for conservation and reforestation efforts and community projects to support the Philippine Eagle Translocation Project in Leyte. 

The Insular Foundation started to support PEF in 2011 through a P1-million grant for research and conservation. Further, the Foundation donated P3 million for research and conservation efforts, including education and public awareness campaigns in schools and communities near Philippine Eagle habitats in Samar and Leyte from 2018 to 2020. The Foundation also supported the National Breeding Sanctuary Toril, Davao City.  

The company used the Eagle as its symbol when it was established in 1910. InLife maintains its affinity with the Philippine Eagle as its icon and brand identity that deeply connects with its Filipino heritage. Like the national bird, InLife stands as a far-sighted guardian, loyal partner, and dependable nurturer of Filipinos.

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