The decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to replace the images of wartime heroes Josefa Llanes Escoda, Jose Abad Santos and Vicente Lim with the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) on the P1,000 bill stirred controversy due to the incorrect spelling of the scientific name and the propriety of taking out the images of national heroes who fought against the Japanese occupation of the country during World War II.
The removal of Filipino heroes from the bill has raised suspicions that heroism is being deliberately obliterated from historical memory, which has been a recurring theme apparently being allowed by the current dispensation.
On the other hand, as conservationists who would rather look at the bright side of the controversy believe that the image of the Philippine eagle on the P1,000 bill can help raise awareness, they would like to see more meaningful government action toward the protection of the critically endangered national bird.
Printing the eagle on money “will probably help promote recognition and awareness of our national bird. Now, whether that translates into active involvement and participation in the conservation effort for the species is something we have yet to see,” said Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).
According to Salvador, the foundation that operates the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos village, undertaking the captive breeding of the raptors as well as rehabilitating those victimized by human activities and rescued from communities was not consulted by the BSP regarding its decision to feature the eagle on the P1,000 bill.
The PEF has been running a conservation program for the national bird since 1987. In 1992, its captive-breeding work resulted in the hatching of eagles Pagasa and then Pagkakaisa, a breakthrough in eagle conservation.
PEF called for vigorous efforts to enforce environmental laws and conduct community education to raise awareness about the ecological importance of the raptor, drawing support for its protection. Perhaps now that the BSP has replaced three Filipino heroes with the Philippine eagle on the P1,000 bill, maybe their appeal for more forest guards will be considered.
Whatever the reasons putting the Philippine eagle on the P1,000 bill, it is already done and government now has to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to protecting our majestic but critically endangered national bird.*
