Award-winning migratory bird habitat set to expand into more areas

Metro Manila, Philippines – The operator of the award-winning biodiversity offset site for migratory birds in Malolos, Bulacan announced expansion plans for 2025.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Louie Lapeñas, biodiversity management manager of “Saribuhay sa Dampalit,” said a similar habitat will be constructed in Macabebe, Pampanga, and Hagonoy, Bulacan in February.

San Miguel Aerocity, Inc. (SMAI) launched the 47-sectare offset site in Brgy. Pamarawan in Malolos in February, a first of its kind in the country.

The site serves as a feeding habitat and stopover point for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

“We’re working in Pampanga around 77 hectares in Macabebe Pampanga. We’re also looking in Hagonoy, we’re working around 30 hectares,” said Lapeñas.

He said SMAI has established around 370 hectares of temporary habitats, with the goal of creating 400 to 800 hectares of feeding area for migratory birds.

The company earlier said the program shows its commitment to environmental protection while advancing critical infrastructure projects such as the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.

“We’re moving them away from the airport because of wildlife hazards,” Lapeñas said.

In November, SMAI was recognized as one of Asia-Pacific’s 25 Steward Leadership Excellence awardees for the“Saribuhay sa Dampalit” program.

Environmental managers

Aside from environmental protection, SMAI also vowed livelihood protection for those affected by the airport project.

Lapeñas said the group has so far employed over 60 locals from Bulacan, training them to become environmental managers.

“The hope is for these people in the community to take ownership of the program. More than the birds, we really prioritize the stomach of these people and we created offset sites in a way that we’re providing feeding habitat for these migratory birds but at the same time we provide food on the tables for these people,” he said.

Joel Javier, who used to be a sailor, told NewsWatch Plus how the program helped him provide for his family. He now assists in monitoring the feeding site.

“Kapag may alon walang dagat, maghihintay pa kami ng kalma ng dagat para lang makapag-hanapbuhay ulit,” he said.

[Translation: If the waves are big, we can’t sail. We need to wait for it to calm down so we can work]

Lapeñas said the company is eyeing to hire a hundred more workers from the community for upcoming programs in other biodiversity sites.

He said he is also hopeful that the project will boost eco-tourism in the area and create more opportunities for locals.

Take a look at the pioneer migratory bird habitat here.