[As Prepared]

[Greetings]

Today’s launch of the Philippine pangolin research study is a fitting way to celebrate World Wildlife Day and the recently observed World Pangolin Day.

At USAID, we believe that conservation of our world’s natural resources is development. Similarly, combating wildlife trafficking is an international development issue because it fosters security and promotes rule of law. Drawing from decades of conservation work, USAID believes that responsible stewardship of our natural resources, including wildlife, is critical pursuing a sustainable path to development that enriches natural capital instead of depleting it.

In the Philippines, USAID is implementing Protect Wildlife, a five-year, 1.2 billion peso project to help preserve the country’s precious biodiversity. Through this project, USAID collaborates with scientists, researchers and academia to use the best science available and come up with innovative, evidence-based solutions to address conservation and development challenges.

With the launch of this study, I hope that the Philippines’ very own species of pangolin will be elevated to an iconic wildlife. It represents the Filipinos’ resilient and enduring spirit — very much like the tough exterior that makes the pangolin unique.

This research comes at an opportune time when there is an increasing clamor among conservationists to rally for the pangolin, an endangered species that is the world’s most trafficked mammal.

We at USAID are excited to work with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and our other partners in Palawan to pursue this study. The research you do will help us better understand one of the least-studied species of pangolin. The research will build upon existing knowledge — pioneered by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Katala Foundation and other groups — and guide evidence-based policies and actions for protecting the pangolin.

We hope that this partnership will help us achieve positive conservation results for this species and promote an approach to conservation that is rooted in sound science and innovative approaches..

Across the world, USAID has been tapping into innovations to address poaching, trafficking and other conservation challenges. These innovations include mobile applications, DNA forensics, geographic information system mapping tools and new technologies. I believe that soon enough, innovation can also emanate from Palawan as we continuously collaborate with local universities and dedicated researchers, scientists and experts to come up with solutions that are responsive to local conservation needs.

As I close, I would like to commend in advance the Philippine pangolin research team for the incredible work that I know you will produce in this endeavor. Your contribution to conserving the Philippine pangolin is an important piece in a much broader picture, wherein we advance in development that is responsible and sustainable, so that future generations may thrive from this beautiful country’s precious resources.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!