SAN JOSE, Antique – This province kicked off its Dulungan Month celebration in Barangay Flores, Culasi town.
“Dulungan” or the Rufous-headed hornbill – adapted as Antique’s provincial bird – is a critically endangered species that can only be found in Negros and Panay islands.
The celebration began on Aug. 3 as mandated under Provincial Ordinance 2020-208 authored by provincial board member Jesselito Pio Sumande Jr.
Through the Dulungan Month, the provincial government aims to increase awareness and understanding, including the biology, ecology and cultural values related to the existence of the endangered species, Sumande said.
According to him, some 100 provincial and national government employees along with representatives of non-government organizations and the academe took part in the celebration.
A tree-planting activity was conducted as a part of the kickoff activities.
Sumande said the dulungan is mostly found in Culasi and its neighboring town of Sebaste.
“There are around 600 of them in the two municipalities,” he added.
This was based on the 2017-2019 study conducted by the Haribon Foundation, an organization that advocates biodiversity conservation.
Sumande said the foundation would spearhead the holding of free webinars on the conservation of the dulungan for three Fridays starting August 14. (With a report from PNA/PN)
