The Philippine duck (Anas luzonica), a beautiful waterfowl endemic to the Philippines, is quietly slipping away. Illegal hunting and the rapid transformation of wetlands into farms and aquaculture facilities are pushing this vulnerable species closer to extinction. But what if the very communities surrounding these birds could help turn the tide?

A recent study in the Maguindanao provinces set out to discover just that—whether local people are willing to pay for the conservation of this native duck and what influences their decision to contribute.

Source: Encyclopedia Scientific Infographics (https://encyclopedia.pub/image/3584)

A Price for Conservation

Using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), researchers surveyed 500 residents in the region to understand their willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation efforts. The average amount respondents were willing to pay annually? Just USD 0.60. It may seem small, but when scaled across households in Maguindanao, this could generate a potential USD 134,000 annually—enough to fund real conservation action on the ground.

What Drives People to Pay?

Several key factors influenced the WTP:

• Positive attitudes toward the Philippine duck were strongly linked to greater support.

• Higher knowledge about the duck’s ecology and its endangered status also increased WTP.

• Women, pet owners, and individuals with higher income showed the greatest willingness to contribute.

These findings suggest that education and awareness campaigns—especially those that foster empathy and connection—could go a long way in galvanizing public support for conservation.

Why This Matters

The plight of the Philippine duck is not an isolated case. Globally, habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation are accelerating biodiversity loss at an alarming rate. Wetlands, where these ducks thrive, are among the most threatened ecosystems—over 87% have been lost globally since the 1700s.

What makes this study so important is its focus on community involvement. While national and international agencies, like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), WWF-Philippines, and local NGOs, play major roles in wildlife protection, long-term success hinges on public participation and funding.

From Awareness to Action

Despite legal protections and designated critical habitats across the country, enforcement remains patchy. And in regions like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, duck populations remain understudied and underprotected.

This research sends a hopeful message: people do care. They just need the right information and opportunities to get involved. By understanding the public’s attitudes and capacity to give, conservation efforts can be tailored to tap into this support—and ensure that the Philippine duck has a fighting chance to thrive once again.

For more information about this topic, you can view the online video entitled "Determining the Conservation Value of the Philippine Duck".