Faith in Action

During the orientation in the National Museum of Natural History, the tour guide introduced us to the cloud rats in the Philippines and that they are endemic species exclusive to the Philippines only. She talked about what makes them stand out from regular rats and why they are considered unique. Additionally, she also mentioned this species is now endangered and emphasized the need to protect them. And after seeing the cloud rat display, I was able to witness it in real time. The display portrayed their coats as thick, colorful, and soft, and I remember the tour guide mentioning their calm and gentle nature. Therefore, I aim to direct my focus on the preservation of endemic species and the promotion of Philippine biodiversity. I was deeply saddened by the realization that they are an endangered species, along with many other endemic species in the Philippines. One of our country’s biggest strengths is our biodiversity and the fact that we are doing so little to protect and preserve these species is heartbreaking. The endangerment of cloud rats and endemic species in general calls for the need to focus and protect their biodiversity, because they maintain the natural balance of life on Earth. It affects rural farming communities and indigenous communities. Cloud rats play a crucial role in maintaining soil quality and dispersing seeds because of the fact that they are burrowing animals. When they dig for roots or bury seeds, they turn over compacted tropical earth material, which breaks up hard dirt. Without them, nearby farming communities will suffer because if soil becomes too compact, it leads to increased water runoff and soil erosion, negatively affecting their livelihood and soil.

We all live on Earth, and it’s no secret that everything is interconnected. This means that the issue of conservation failure and environmental neglect not only affects the endangered endemic species, but us as well. Nature is a domino effect. The DENR shared the importance of the cloud rat species, asserting that cloud rats consume tough vegetation and play a crucial role in regenerating our forests. If they go extinct, the natural reseeding of the Sierra Madre and other mountain ranges will slow down and directly compromise the stability of watersheds that supply clean freshwater to lowland Filipino communities. The Philippine Clearing House Mechanism and the International Union for Conservation of Nature have also expressed their concerns in the endangerment of cloud rats, that this species is a critical component in our largely agricultural country. In the context of other endemic species, endemic insect-eating species act as natural pest control agents. Without them, agricultural pests will thrive, forcing farmers to rely on toxic pesticides that could potentially degrade the soil and contaminate local food systems. Why are so many endemic species endangered? This is because of the lack of safe sanctuaries and proper care, and this is because of deforestation and hunting. There’s a high rate of deforestation and hunting because of the need to urbanize everything, and the lack of laws that prohibit hunting. The Foundation Philippine Environment stressed that one of the leading causes of species endangerment is habitat destruction via deforestation, because it leaves the species vulnerable to new and harsher living conditions, predation from other species, and inaccessibility to the resources they need to survive. Deforestation leads to many animals losing their homes, which means they won’t be able to survive the harsh conditions of the environment. They’ll also lose their source of food and basic shelter, which could lead to their extinction. According to National Geographic, 80% of Earth’s land animals live in forests, and if their habitat is destroyed, it creates a ripple effect because it leads to the endangerment and extinction of species like the cloud rat.

Luke 4:16-21 is connected to the care for biodiversity because it declares the year of the Lord’s favor or the Jubilee year. The Jubilee year is involved in protecting habitats from over-exploitation. It connects to nature through land restoration and resource management. This is connected to my advocacy because the act of deforestation goes against what the Jubilee year is aiming to protect. We are over-exploiting habitats for our own personal gain, because of the pursuit to advancement, and because of that, it leads to the displacement and endangerment of many species. The act of deforestation is the exact opposite of land restoration and resource management, in fact it is damaging to the land and the environment, and causes the depletion of natural resources. Multiple Church Teachings support the call of the Jubilee year and also call us to protect biodiversity, but the specific ones I’ll be focusing on are Magnifica Humanitas by Pope Leo XIV and Laudato Si by Pope Francis. These two encyclicals are connected to the idea and call of the Jubilee year because they too call for land restoration and protection of habitats. They too call for the preservation of environmental resources and the safeguarding of the species that live in it. Although Magnifica Humanitas focuses on artificial intelligence, we can extract teachings there that can be connected to preserving the environment and biodiversity. The fifth severe warning of Magnifica Humanitas can be connected to this issue because it concerns creation itself. A quote in the encyclical says, “The pursuit of technological advancement can therefore collide with humanity’s responsibility to care for the natural world.” Because we want to modernize everything, humans tend to increase the rate of deforestation. As a result, this gravely harms the cloud rats and other endemic species in the Philippines. Our pursuit of urbanization directly collides with the task we were given: to protect the environment. Laudato Si also addresses biodiversity loss, asserting that every species has a unique value in itself, meaning humans have no right to cause the permanent extinction of thousands of endemic and exotic species through selfish human activity. Environmental destruction and biodiversity collapse also harm poor and marginalized communities who depend directly on local ecosystems for survival. This directly goes against Jesus’ teaching, because He has made it clear to us in multiple lessons that we are merely stewards of God’s creation. God’s reign indicates this. Nature and Earth is a gift given to us, but we are not its owners. This means we have no right to neglect and degrade the environment.

After reflecting and connecting this issue in a theological lens, I further learned the importance of biodiversity protection and how we must do what we can to safeguard endemic species at risk by reducing the rate of deforestation and promoting the need for biodiversity. In the short-term, a direct and fast approach to solving this problem would be to plant more trees indigenous to the species in that ecosystem and to call on others to do the same. For the long-term, I will propose a solution to my barangay which is an alternative solution instead of cutting down trees. In my barangay, tree roots are often cut down due to the cracks they form on concrete roads and sidewalks. In response to this, an alternative would be to remove the damaged concrete instead the damaged concrete, and replace it with flexible and permeable rubber paving or gravel grids around the base of the tree, which will allow the roots to absorb rainwater and expand without disrupting the pavement, and shows that it does not need to be cut down. Another main reason for deforestation is due to the fact that the tree itself is dead or dying; however, cutting this down would be a mistake because an endemic species called the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, seen in all parts of the Philippines, is heavily dependent on the branches of these dead trees as a means of carving out safe nesting cavities for shelter and food. To cut down these dead trees also entails that the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker would have a harder time foraging and does not promote biodiversity protection. Therefore, my proposal includes the cease of cutting down dead trees and instead transporting all the dead trees in one part of the community for the endemic bird. Lastly, I urge my community to replace non-native garden flowers with Philippine native flowering plants such as the melendres, salingbobog, and tayabak, because these plants have the exact nectar and pollen that local insects need to feed. These solutions show how deforestation not only affects trees, but the animals that rely on these trees to live. I will also urge the government to create stricter laws that prohibit hunting, with more severe punishments towards those who hunt animals for their own gain.

My advocacy is to protect Philippine biodiversity by reducing the rate of deforestation and creating programs that create a safer environment for endemic species at risk. My action plan aligns with SDGs 11, 13, and 15. SDG No. 11, “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, focuses on inclusive and sustainable urban planning and management. My plan to replace concrete with rubber paving or gravel grids that surround the base of the tree contributes to this because it provides a more sustainable substitute instead of felling. This also directly aligns with SDG No.13, “Climate Action”, because it prevents deforestation and therefore helps protect life on land, which aligns with SDG No. 15. This also aligns with the Theresian markings of being critically aware of the environment, and the creative response to the cry for justice and fullness of life, because the rubber pavings and transfer of dead trees to secluded areas contribute to protecting the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker. This also aligns with the vision and mission of STCQC, specifically the deep passion and integrity of oneness with creation, because through this action plan, we are protecting our country’s biodiversity and preserving the environment. Based on these standards, I will evaluate the effectiveness of the action plan by checking on the materials that will be used before its implementation, to ensure that these materials are indeed sustainable and not damaging to the environment. Additionally, I will check on the rubber paving and gravel grids bi-weekly to ensure that it is doing its intended purpose and to hire arborists and environmentalists to do a monthly assessment on the trees’ condition after the addition of rubber paving and gravel grids.

The protection of the environment is a deeply important topic and even though multiple advocacies are dedicated to preserving it, it remains a rampant issue that still needs to be solved. Nature is breathtaking, beneficial, and teeming with life, at least it’s supposed to be. And the fact that it’s not because many species are endangered or worse: extinct, is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed. Our biodiversity is something our country should be proud of and instead, we’re actively destroying it and killing the species that are actually helping us. Therefore, we must work together towards protecting it and ensuring that it does not get swept over by the pursuit towards technological advancement. Through this immersion and throughout the journey, I was able to realize and develop a deeper sense of mission as Theresian and as a student leader. I am grateful for this opportunity to recognize a deep issue in our country and create a structured action plan aligned with Jesus’ teachings through the Pastoral Cycle and the IDEAL framework. I learned that true leadership is done through honest service driven by a deep compassion for the environment. As a Theresian and as a human being, it is therefore my responsibility given to me by God to continue advocating not only for the environment, but also for its inhabitants. Because our biodiversity and environment is worth protecting, it’s worth putting effort into. Without these endemic species and the environment, where will we be?