BANGA, SOUTH COTABATO — The Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer– Forest and Inland Water Management Division (OPENRO – FID) has officially identified a Local Conservation Area (LCA) for the Blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) in Sitio Upper Riverside, Barangay San Jose, Banga, South Cotabato.
The identification and monitoring efforts are conducted in partnership with the local officials of Barangay San Jose and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Banga. A joint site validation was carried out on June 20, 2023, by personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII, DENR CENRO Banga, MENRO Banga, and OPENRO South Cotabato. During the validation, Mr. Ronald Lacanaria of DENR Region XII confirmed the presence of the Blue-tailed bee-eater species in the area.
The Blue-tailed bee-eater is a slender, vibrantly colored bird, known for its green body, blue tail, black eye stripe, and yellow and brown throat. This species is commonly found in open habitats near water across South and Southeast Asia and is observed breeding seasonally in localized areas. In South Cotabato, the birds are primarily seen nesting on cliffs along the Safali River in Barangay San Jose.
LCAs are biodiversity conservation sites managed by local government units (LGUs) outside the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Barangay San Jose officials, with technical support from OPENRO – FID, are currently working on drafting an ordinance to formalize the conservation area and ensure the protection of the species’ habitat. The proposed ordinance aims to guarantee the full participation of community stakeholders and the sustainability of conservation efforts.
Recent monitoring activities revealed a healthy population of Blue-tailed bee-eaters in the area. However, flooding from the Safali River poses a threat to their nesting sites. To mitigate the impact, local officials and residents, supported by the provincial and municipal governments, have installed an indigenous bamboo dike to stabilize the riverbanks and prevent further habitat destruction.
OPENRO South Cotabato continues to provide technical assistance to ensure the preservation of this important local biodiversity.
