A proposal to declare Barangay Tambobong in Baguio District, Davao City, as a Philippine Eagle Critical Habitat is being pushed to protect the endangered species. The proposed site spans approximately 2,964 hectares along the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, an area known for confirmed sightings and nesting activities of the Philippine Eagle.
Importance of the Proposed Habitat
The area features intact forest ecosystems, river systems, and a high diversity of endemic species. It also holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Obu Manuvu Indigenous community. Recently, a young eaglet named "Tuglivon" hatched at an ancient nest site within the proposed habitat. The Obu Manuvu community named the eaglet through a traditional ritual; in their stories, Tuglivon is an ancient bird that helped form the first land after a great flood.
Legal Framework and Zoning
Dr. Franklyn R. Buenaflor, chief of the DENR-Davao Conservation and Development Division, noted that despite concerns from the barangay captain about residents in the area, DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2007-02 provides guidelines for establishing critical habitats with a harmonized framework for sustainable use and zoning. Similar to protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas), a Critical Habitat Management Plan (CHMP) is required. This plan includes zoning classifications such as core zones, strict protection zones, and multiple-use zones, where some Indigenous practices are allowed.
Role of Indigenous Communities
Dr. Jayson Ibañez, director for operations of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), emphasized that Indigenous communities are not threats but protectors of wildlife. "The residents of Tambobong are not threats to wildlife — they are its protectors, serving as eagle-friendly stewards of this Critical Habitat," he said on April 22. The Obu Manuvu have a long history of living in harmony with nature, making them important partners in conservation.
Committee Hearing and Next Steps
The proposal was discussed during a committee hearing of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on April 15, 2026, with participation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) and other stakeholders. Following committee approval, it will be forwarded to the plenary and, if approved by the 21st City Council, adopted as a city ordinance. The joint effort involves the Indigenous Obu Manuvu of Tambobong, the Philippine Eagle Foundation, DENR-Davao, and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) Davao City.
Conservation and Cultural Significance
PEF stated that the committee's approval affirms the government's recognition of the area's long-existing nesting site and ancestral domain. Ibañez noted that declaring Tambobong a critical habitat strengthens protection through legal recognition and community support. The PEF supported the initiative through mapping, biodiversity assessments, and aligning Indigenous and government conservation goals. He called on the 21st Davao City Council to support the declaration to protect both the Philippine Eagle and the cultural significance of the area to the Obu Manuvu.
Indigenous Stewardship
Datu Lipatuan Joel Unad Sr. of the Obu Manuvu Unified Ancestral Domain of Elders and Leaders stressed the importance of an ordinance to establish areas vital for the eagle's survival and environmental conservation. The Obu Manuvu have already declared the area as "Kuruwonnan Alihowan to Atollun Kahubbarran" ("a natural area cared for by three clans"). Unad explained that the tribe treats the ancestral domain as a treasure and is responsible for its care. The ordinance would provide police power to limit access to the area.
Currently, around 100 to 200 families live within the proposed critical habitat, with adjacent communities involved in monitoring. The proposal will help the community identify its responsibilities, such as assisting in Philippine Eagle conservation and environmental protection.
