By Ruth Palo, Manila Times
DAVAO CITY: The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) was chosen as the beneficiary of MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions) convention set on March 1-3 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier here.
The city is hosting this year's MiceCon after three years of being postponed.
The PEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the endangered Philippine eagle and its rainforest habitat.
The Philippine eagle, among the four symbolic icons of Davao City, is a strong symbol apt for this year's MiceCon attached in its logo.
Kennedy Kapulong, the former co-chairman of Davao MiceCon 2023, said that the "majestic" Philippine eagle symbolizes the city's "resilience and strength."
Kapulong said that selecting PEF as the beneficiary is in line with the Department of Tourism's (DoT) advocacy for sustainable tourism.
"Likewise, DoT's sustainability efforts and advocacy can be mirrored with the successful initiatives of the PEF to save the national bird. When I was asked for a CSR partner, PEF was the top choice," he said in a statement Friday.
Ann Pelingon, MiceCon Davao's head for corporate social responsibility (CSR), also believes that the foundation matches what MiceCon aims to achieve — resiliency from the ever-changing times.
"Like Davao City, we are known for being resilient. For how many years, the Philippine eagle has been resilient for how many years. It's symbolic and it's just right that the Philippine Eagle Foundation be our beneficiary," she said.
The pandemic, she said, had hugely affected the PEF's operation. Now with the threat of the avian flu, Pelingon said that the center needs financial help.
She said the MiceCon wants to contribute to the foundation's conservation effort of sustaining the population of eagles not only in the city but for the entire country.
"The center really needs funding, especially in ensuring the preservation of the raptor and other endangered animals being sheltered in the center," Pelingon said.
Proceeds from the convention's registration will go to the PEF. In addition, Pelingon said they are also eyeing the delegates to be the center's potential donors.
"At least the delegates, aside from being potential donors, could also help spread the word in the center's conservation efforts," she said.
With MiceCon's goal of having a sustainable tourism industry, Pelingon said the convention is a great avenue for this advocacy.
Pelingon, a former PEF volunteer, believed in the importance of preserving the eagles, which is an indicator of a healthy environment.
She also hoped that many would heed the call for more volunteers in the foundation.
Carla Salvacion, PEF conservation education program team leader, said they are thankful that MiceCon selected the foundation as its beneficiary.
"MiceCon is a huge help not only in raising awareness but also in raising funds for the center to continue its run," she said.
With the theme "MICEConverge: Blaze New Trails," the three-day conference will serve as a gateway to provide more business opportunities and strengthen ties with domestic and international stakeholders.
It is a hybrid event expected to bring in 500 in-person delegates and up to 2,000 online participants from here and abroad.
Highlights of the event include the MICE Youth Challenge and Power Dressing and Glam Makeup Sessions and Workshops where Davao's finest tourism and product services will be on full display with the sub-themes, "Celebrating Nature," "Celebrating Diversity" and "Celebrating Travel and Technology."
