PHILIPPINE WILD PIGS ARE FACING EXTINCTION

PHILIPPINE WILD PIGS ARE FACING EXTINCTION Who cares about Philippine wild pigs going extinct? After all, they are just pigs, right? We no longer depend on them for food, and we now rely on imported breeds for our pork. Besides, we have already destroyed their natural habitats—so what is there left to save? But do you know that all wildlife plays a crucial role in ecosystems? If one species becomes extinct, it affects the ecosystem of its habitat. When an ecosystem is disturbed, it disrupts the ecological balance of a community or region. If that balance is destroyed, it could worsen climate change. The Philippines is home to several species of wild pigs, but only four of them are well-documented: the Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons), the Philippine Warty Pig (Sus philippensis), Oliver’s Warty Pig (Sus oliveri), and the Palawan Bearded Pig (Sus ahoenobarbus). Sadly, all four are either endangered or nearing extinction. What can we do to save them? Does anyone even care? As a nation, we are already guilty of allowing hundreds of species to go extinct. Isn’t it our moral duty now to save whatever species we can—even if they are “just pigs”? Shouldn’t we be ashamed that we have failed to protect so many of our endemic species? What right do we have to call ourselves stewards of God’s creation if we cannot take care of the creatures entrusted to us? The task of conserving and saving our endemic wildlife should not fall solely on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). This should now become a national effort, a modern-day "bayanihan" movement. Each province that hosts endemic wildlife should have a local wildlife conservation office, supported by its own people-powered movement. Right now, three provinces—Samar, Leyte, and Palawan—are known to be the remaining strongholds of wild pig populations. However, other provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao must also be identified. The national government should provide special funds to support host provinces in conservation efforts. Moreover, we should empower Indigenous Tribal Peoples (ITPs) as guardians of these endemic species, since these animals are primarily found in their ancestral lands. Stronger wildlife protection laws must be enforced, with harsher penalties for those who hunt and kill these animals. The Department of Agriculture (DA) should monitor the illegal trade of wild pig meat. Wildlife conservation must also be integrated into the school curriculum, and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) should be mandated to conduct further research into conservation technologies. Local Government Units (LGUs) must play a more active role by mandating their veterinarians to care for endemic wildlife. Existing conservation programs must be properly funded and protected from budget cuts. Additionally, the government should be required to release regular reports on the growth or decline of endemic wild pig populations. The battle to save Philippine wild pigs is part of a larger fight to preserve our country’s rich biodiversity. If we lose them, we lose more than just another species—we weaken the ecosystems that sustain us all. The time to act is now, before it is too late. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 03-14-2025