THE country’s leading carrier, Cebu Pacific believes that everyone can and should be able to fly—not just humans, but also birds.
To mark Philippine Eagle Week last month, the carrier announced it has agreed to adopt 19-year-old Mindanao for another year. The captive-bred predator, now officially retired from breeding, will pivot to his new role as conservation education ambassador as soon as he is trained to fly on cue.
One of the male birds on display at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao, Mindanao is among the facility’s most photographed residents, a perfect example of the national bird’s majestic presence. The Philippine Eagle is a highly endangered species, with only 400 pairs remaining in the wild.
Cebu Pacific has been supporting Mindanao since 2015. The airline has committed to provide for Mindanao’s food, shelter maintenance, keeper care and veterinary care for another year.
“The renewal of our partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation [PEF] signifies our commitment to keep doing our part in taking care of our planet in line with our sustainability journey. We are happy to continue being keepers of our home through our continued adoption of Philippine Eagle Mindanao amid this pandemic,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for Marketing and Customer Experience.
“Helping the Eagles Survive the Pandemic is Helping Ourselves” is the theme of this year’s Philippine Eagle Week. Organizers hope to highlight how the apex predator maintains the delicate balance in our ecosystem.
“Cebu Pacific’s decision to continue the partnership with us despite such a tough time for the airline industry is a much-needed boost to our work amid the Covid-19 crisis,” says Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.