Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga underscored the importance of digital technology for wildlife protection and conservation during the World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2024 celebration held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. Loyzaga said with wildlife crimes becoming sophisticated and well-engineered, the DENR has used digital technologies such as the eCITESPH which promotes paperless transactions to ensure legal wildlife trade and WildALERT or Wildlife Agency and Citizen Law Enforcement Reporting Tool to help forest rangers and law enforcement agencies fight wildlife trafficking. Recently, the DENR and the Philippine Space Agency have also collaborated on the application of space technology, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning in mapping mangrove areas in the country.

Loyzaga emphasized that while new technologies have their use, their values lie on the values of those that are applying the digital technologies for their specific targets and goals. The theme of WWD 2024 is “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.” ###