Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) BINHI program introduced its flora and fauna flagship species in Bacon, Sorsogon and Manito, Albay
EDC Bacman Forester Neil Miras revealed that Mapilig and the Golden-crowned Flying Fox or Kabog were the EDC Bacman’s flora and fauna flagship species, respectively.
“For the flora, yung mga puno namin, we have the mapilig and on the fauna naman, which is yung mga animals we have the golden-crowned flying fox,” said EDC Bacman Forester Neil Miras.
Flora Flagship Species: Mapilig
Mapilig or known for its scientific name Xanthostemon Bracteatus Merr is said as one of the iron wood species and belongs to the family of Myrtaceae, that is known as a group of hardest producing trees.
The good quality and rarity of Mapilig’s wood are the few reasons why it was chosen as the flora flagship species of the said program.
Also, Mapilig is an endemic species in Manito, Albay specially in Barangay Nagotgot in Inang Maharang, where the BINHI program used it for establishing arboreta.
BINHI discovered Mapilig in a storm phenomenon, where the flora species Mapilig produces flowers when it is in a state of stress.
“By history, hindi alam ng mga tao na ito pala ang Mapilig. But then again, through the efforts in our BINHI program, we discovered na ito pala yung Mapilig which is andito lang sa site.”
Fauna Flagship Species: Kabog
Kabog or the Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox is the fauna flagship species of the EDC BINHI program in Bacman. This is a species of megabat that are endemic not only in Manito, Albay but also distributed all over the Philippines.
Kabog are considered as endangered species and its population was estimated around more or less 2,000 in the Geothermal area of EDC. . This is why it was chosen as the fauna flagship species of the BINHI team – to conserve and protect the remaining species of its kind. .
The said species cohabitates with another class of flying fox, which is the Pteropus Vampyrus.
“So whenever pupunta sa ibang areas na may flying foxes, normally ang ma-oobserve natin ay they are the ones na always na magkasama or thriving in a certain habitat or community.”
The Kabog plays significant roles in the environment, serving as pollinators that help in pollinating trees and reforesting the Bacman area.
“Flying fox is a Frugivore , ibig sabihin noon ang kinakain nila is more on fruits so whenever they eat the fruit, may mga nasasama na seed wherein natatransfer nila yun sa iba’t ibang lugar.”
Started in 2008, the BINHI program of EDC focuses on reforesting the denuded areas and implements Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring Program (BCMP) where it sought to protect and conserve wildlife and biodiversity.
Newly Launched Vegetative Material Reproduction or VMR
EDC BINHI in Bacman recently launched a Vegetative Material Reproduction or VMR which is an advanced technology that mimics the natural forest and skips the traditional way of propagating seeds.
Through this high-tech facility, it is able to clone the plant, then enters in a rooting chamber where the propagation process will happen.
“Normally, when we try to propagate or magpadami ng seedlings, we go out doon sa mga forest, magcollect ng mga seeds, and kumuha ng wildlings. But with the vmr now, we can shorten the process. We can propagate yung mga halaman o mga puno with that technology.”
The seedlings from the propagation are used in reforesting the Bacman and distributed to the stakeholders or any agencies that request for the said seedlings.
Photos: EDC