Dave Albao, executive director of Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc.
Cover Dave Albao, executive director of Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc (Photo: Aeson Baldevia)

The executive director of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc describes their approach to conservation and the biggest challenges they face at work

At Danjugan Island, a marine and wildlife sanctuary located in Negros Occidental, Philippines, sustainability is not executed as a vanity project but a way of life. Run by Dave Albao’s non-profit NGO Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc (PRRCFI), the modest refuge's biodiversity was once threatened and its marine life overfished but it is now being steadily rehabilitated.

The 43-hectare island is also a haven for human visitors to come and learn about nature and connect with it. After all, it's Albao's belief that only when wildlife and humans live in harmony can there be a sustainable future.

“Our mission is to inspire people to take action for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through four strategic areas: experiential learning, collaborative research, enabling communities, and nurturing partnerships,” says the executive director of PRRCFI. 

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Danjugan (Photo: Ron Coe)
Above Danjugan Island. (Photo: Ron Coe)

By taking a community-first approach to its conservation efforts, PRRCFI cultivates in people a sense of individual responsibility. “We strive to be mindful, invoking the ecological principle of interconnectedness, and in parallel, we make sure our projects are inclusive and authentic.”

We speak to Albao to find out more about the mission and work of their organisation.

PRRCFI employs an experiential and community-based approach to conservation. How does this approach manifest in your operations and projects?
[As Sengalese environmentalist] Baba Dioum said at an IUCN [International Union for Conservation of Nature] General Assembly, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”

Our ecotourism and environmental education programmes are centred around providing an experience of deep connection with nature, so we minimise all distractions such as television and the Internet. Every natural phenomenon and wildlife interaction is an opportunity to inspire, share and teach. Our projects outside of Danjugan follow the same approaches in experiential learning.

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Dave Albao, executive director of Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc.
Above PRRFCI leads with an experiential and community-based approach

Conservation is a practical need. If we drink water, breathe air, and eat food, we need conservation

- Dave Albao -

Why do you choose to implement this experiential and community-based approach?
Empathy is at the core of our experiential and community-based approach. Understanding the needs of the communities we serve would make conservation relevant to them. If they understand and care for the cause, it will be easier to mobilise them for collective action.

How would you define the concept of conservation?
Conservation, to me, is a practical need. If we drink water, breathe air, and eat food, we need conservation. It entails a deep understanding of ecology, but also of community. Not only are we protecting species and habitats in conservation, but we are also building a society that is collectively conscious that the Earth is our life support.

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'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 4 A shark spotted in the waters surrounding Danjugan Island
Photo 2 of 4 Sea turtle. (Photo: Kaila Ledesma)
Photo 3 of 4 Octopus. (Photo: Kaila Ledesma)
Photo 4 of 4 Stork-billed kingfisher. (Photo: Nathalie Maggay)

What do you think is the Philippines' biggest conservation priority?
The biggest priority should be weaving conservation into the policies and actions that address people’s need to be healthy and safe. If we connect conservation to our nutrition, and to protection from typhoons and pandemics, more people will be on board.

How would you evaluate the existing conservation efforts across the Philippines?
It has been said that the Philippines has the best environmental laws in the world, but the country lacks the discipline of implementation. The building blocks of conservation in the Philippines have long been founded, and there is so much we can be proud of in terms of keeping our natural and cultural heritage alive. But due to our thirst for infrastructure and urbanisation defining our views on development, our ecosystems remain threatened, especially with the effects of climate change and resource abuse at the West Philippine Sea.

Conservation is highly political, which is why we remain the most unsafe country in Asia for environmentalists.

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Danjugan Sanctuary (Photo: Jackson Groves)
Above Danjugan Island. (Photo: Jackson Groves)

What is the biggest roadblock you face as a conservationist? How are you working to overcome it?
Political roadblocks are usually the biggest for conservationists to handle. Alongside that, getting funding and community buy-in also pose challenges. But I keep firm with our positions especially when economic and environmental pros and cons are being weighed, and I believe in listening to all sectors without prejudice. I'm also mindful of my words and actions to avoid any misunderstandings.

What are the strengths of the conservation efforts in the Philippines? What might other environmentalists take away from it and apply in their own contexts?
Despite occasional disagreements in approach or opinion, I feel that conservationists in the Philippines respect and support each other. A lot of Filipino conservation initiatives have strong and creative communications and visibility. We often make humorous realisations that conservation biologists also work as social media strategists, since they also need to communicate and apply their findings through the different channels that our stakeholders use.

What do you wish more people understood about your field of work? And how can more people better support local conservation efforts?
Conservation and environmentalism should not be romanticised causes. There are sustainability dilemmas in everyday life. The general public can support conservation in the Philippines by first and foremost managing trash at home, reducing food waste, and conserving energy, water and materials. Being conscious about these day-to-day matters will build a culture and future of sustainability for Filipinos.


See more honourees from the Sustainability category of the Gen.T List 2021.

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