Campaigns

Awareness

Mass Media has been an important ally in the push for conservation awareness in the province and in the country. ABS-CBN through its programs Magandang Gabi Bayan and The Explorers mediated towards nationwide exposure for the cockatoos and the island of Rasa. A German television crew and a private French producer has amde a 26-minute documentary with an English, German and French versions.

The PCCP also harnessed the power of radio programs to reach out even to the far flung barrios of Palawan. This awareness program started in 1994 from January to August with a 1-hour talk about the importance of the Katala.

In coordination with other environmental groups like Fauna and Flora International, "Only in the Philippines" posters in three languages (English, Filipino, Cebuano) featuring the Katala were disseminated throughout the archipelago.

Today, tapping the enormous reach of the world wide web, the website of the PCCP and the Philippine Cockatoo is launched. The awareness program goes on.

Eleborate on the weekly radio program.

Awareness illustrated Posters

Education

Education is the key component of any conservation strategy. The solution must begin with the problem. Several education campaigns were conducted to inform local people and students about the plight of the cockatoo and what can be done to salvage the remaining chance for them to survive.

Teachers being prime movers and students being future movers were the target of the drive. Special attention is given to schoolchildren in the elementary and high school levels because they are particularly receptive to the conservation messsage and parents are perhaps more likely to be influenced by the enthusiasm of their own children.

The educational campaign also extends to the people of Narra since they are the stakeholders of the island and they yield the most profound influence on the island.

Education illustrated Educational leaflet

Sagip Katala Movement

The educational campaigns gave birth to the Sagip Katala Movement - a coming together of students, ex-poachers, municipal representatives, and town stakeholders. The movement serves as the official carrier of the PCCP and will push for the protection of the island and surrounding seas. The movement also aims to spread the fire of conservation to the the nearby towns and villages. Aside from these tasks, the group actively participates in the alternative livelihood projects meant to lessen the pressure on the island and its inhabitants.

The focus on education has bear fruit and we believe the seeds must again be re-planted.

Ecotourism

The opportunity for the locals to show you their place and earn from it at the same time is an exciting prospect for them. It enables them to have a different perspective on their lives and livelihood. Visitors coming to their town help them realize the value of their land and everything on it.

Properly guided and regulated ecotourism lessens greatly the pressure on the island and its inhabitants and steers the townfolk away from environmentally unfriendly practices.

We invite you, the next time you visit Palawan, to squeeze Isla Rasa in Narra into your itinerary. There are no five-star amenities other than the nurturing of mother nature.