About us

BACKGROUND
Members of the current Katala Foundation successfully
implemented the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program
(PCCP) since 1998 on Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan. The
frame condition of this endeavour was a Memorandum of All Photos © Katala Foundation Inc
Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau
(DENR-BMB) and the Katala Foundation which is renewed
every five years. PCCP is implemented in four sites in
Palawan namely in the municipalities of Dumaran, Narra,
Balabac, as well as within Puerto Princesa. A separate MOA
is forged with the Palawan Council for Sustainable
Development updated in 2012.
Katala Foundation Incorporated (KFI) is duly registered under
the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 19,
2002 under SEC No. CN200253626.

Its name Katala is derived from the local name of the Philippine cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia.
Katala as locally known, is endemic to the Philippines. Cockatoo population crashed drastically in the late 1980s, and betw
1,120 individuals are left in the wild; thus classified critically endangered by the World Conservation Union or the Int
Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Main threats of its survival are:
    - Poaching for pet trade
    - Habitat destruction
    - Direct persecution
Katala Foundation, Inc., a non-profit, non-stock, non-governmental organization, has been active in protecting and c
threatened endemic wildlife, particularly the Philippine Cockatoo,Palawan Forest Turtle, Palawan Pangolin,
Balabac Mouse-deer where the last strongholds of the respective species can be found.
Katala Foundation’s niche developed over the years of research, advocacy and development works in order to pr
conserve the biological diversity along with people. Its vision is to effect conservation of biological resources throu
community involvement - conserving with people. To attain this vision, Katala Foundation employs participatory and ec
approaches to all its programs and activities.
VISION AND MISION
KFI’s vision is to effect conservation of biological resources through active community involvement – conserving with peop
STRATEGIES AND APPROACHES
In particular, strategies are aimed to:
1. Capacitate and empower local partners and communities as effective conservation managers;
2. Increase level of knowledge on biodiversity conservation through intensive conservation education activities an
influencing positive attitudes and behaviours towards the environment;
3. Implement effective projects and programs to halt biodiversity decline;
4. Conduct scientific research along with local partners applying international standards and methodologies to fill up
gaps and recommend the most appropriate action for decision makers to lead;
5. Develop proactive leadership among local partners; and
6. Strengthen the organization through staff development.
ON-GOING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED
Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP), since 1998: Species conservation program aimed to conserve th
endangered Philippine cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia  from extinction through, e.g. nest protection, identification,
and management of key conservation sites, habitat restoration, conservation education, community involvement,
individual birds, translocation, conservation breeding for later re-introduction, etc. Its implementation is under the framew
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DENR-BMB and the KFI and PCSD and the KFI.
Key sponsors and partners: Loro Parque Fundacion (LPF), Chester Zoo, Zoologische Gesellschaft für Ar
Populationsschutz (ZGAP, incl. Fondsfuer Bedrohte Papageien and Strunden-Papageien-Stiftung), ZooParc de
and Conservation Association (Association Beauval Conservation et Recherche), UNDP-SGP5, Whitley Fund fo
Municipalities of Narra, Dumaran, and Balabac, Jewelmer Corporation, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Puerto Princesa, D
PCSDS.
Philippine Freshwater Turtle Conservation Project (PFTCP), since 2007:A MOA between KFI and BMB-DEN
Philippine Freshwater Turtle Conservation Program was signed in November 2006. This joint undertaking aims to
Philippine freshwater turtle populations and habitats, to conduct scientific research on biology and management of these t
its habitats and to educate and capacitate stakeholders for its conservation. Ex-situ conservation and conservation b
addressed at KIEBC in Narra. The MOA provides the legal basis to obtain confiscated turtles from recognized rescu
and/or to accommodate otherwise rescued turtles to the center. Current activities give special attention to the Palawan
critically endangered Palawan Forest Turtle Siebenrockiella leytensis (Pagong or Bakoko).
Key sponsors and partners (alphabetical):  Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Anonymous Donors, Turtle Conserva
Chelonian Research Association, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, North of England Zoologic
Chester Zoo, Rainforest Trust, Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF), Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), Wildlife Reserves Singapo
Zoologische Gesellschaftfür Arten- und Populationsschutz (ZGAP), DENR andPCSDS, and the Municipalities/City of
Bataraza, Brookes Point, Culion, Dumaran, El Nido, Narra, Puerto Princesa City, Rizal, Roxas, San Vicente, and Taytay.
Katala Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (KIEBC) (since 2006): The overall goal of KIEBC is c
Palawan’s biodiversity through establishment of an education, conservation and research institution in close vicinity to t
target species and ecosystems. Its specific objectives are: 1) To serve as a venue for conservation education with local p
youth, national and international visitors as main target groups. 2) To develop and implement protocols for rescue, con
breeding, habitat restoration, and eventually reintroduction of selected highly threatened wild species of Palawan, like
Cockatoo or Philippine freshwater turtles. 3) To create an institution for research on applied ecology and biodiversity con
with focus on threatened species management, priority area conservation, and restoration. Another component within KI
to establish an arboretum and forest restoration site in Katala Institute. This will contribute to the ex-situ conservation
threatened plant species in Palawan, and will at the same time create a gene pool for rare species and a source of seeds
forest restoration projects on the island.
Key sponsors and partners:  Loro Parque Fundacion (LPF), Chester Zoo, Zoologische Gesellschaft für Ar
Populationsschutz (ZGAP, incl. FondsFuerBedrohtePapageien and Strunden-Papageien-Stiftung), Zoo Landau, Wro
ZooParc de Beauval and Conservation Association (Association Beauval Conservation et Recherche)
Wildlife Reserves Singapore, European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Shellshock Campaign and t
Conservation Fund (TCF), Herpetological Society of Germany (DGHT), anonymous donors, DENR, PCSDS.
Katala Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (KIEBC) (since 2006):  This program addresses the co
needs of the Palawan endemic Pangolin Manis culionensis. An initial study on the trade of the species in Southern Pal
conducted in collaboration with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia in 2008. Studies on the “Phylogeny and Taxonomic Status of the
Pangolin” and on "Conservation Status of the Palawan pangolin Manis culionensis” followed. In 2017, KFI was issue
Clearance for the entire program aimed at conserving Palawan Pangolin populations and their habitats; conducting
research on the biology, ecology and management of the Palawan Pangolin and its habitats, and socio economic frame c
leading to threats and strategies for conservation; and educating and capacitating stakeholders PPCP on natural
management and conservation, rehabilitation/restoration of species habitats, and environmental awareness.
Key sponsors and partners: Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund, anonymous donors, IUCN SSC Pangolin
Group, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Philippines, IUCN Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), TRAF
Municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Roxas, Dumaran, San Vicente, Dumaran, Taytay and the City of Puerto Princesa, PC
DENR.
Palawan Deer Research and Conservation Program (PDRCP): This is joint project of the PCSDS and the KFI to p
conserve the two endemic ungulate species to the Palawan Faunal Region: Calamian Deer Axis calamianensis and th
Mouse Deer Tragulus nigricans. Calamian Deer inhabit mostly dry woodland and forest-grassland mosaics of the Calam
group. The deer could serve as flagship species for these highly threatened lowland vegetation formations including a
flora and fauna. The Balabac Mouse Deer is likewise restricted to lowland forests of the Balabac group of islands, where
recorded from Balabac, Ramos and Bugsuk. Both species are currently listed as “Endangered” (IUCN, 2016), due to ongo
persecution mainly for bushmeat, habitat destruction and degradation, combined with their very small ranges. The main o
the first phase of the proposed program was to provide updated information on population and distribution of the two targ
to inform future conservation interventions. This information was generated through conduct of hunter interviews and by p
surveys in selected representative sites. The second phase of the program continues parts of the research component, bu
implementation, most important of all the establishment of a captive population for Calamian deer as assurance against
danger of extinction in the wild, but also conservation education campaigns and assessments for potential reintroduction s
Key sponsors and partners: North of England Zoological Society/Zoological Gardens Chester (NEZS), Zoologische Gese
Arten- und Populationsschutz (ZGAP), Wroclaw Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Phoenix Zoo, Zoo Lan
Pfalz, Municipalities of Balabac, Busuanga, Coron, and Culion, Provincial Government of Palawan, LGU Narra,
Corporation, anonymous donors, PCSDS and DENR.
Forest rehabilitation and protection (since 2007): Activities focus on the protection and rehabilitation of former o
tropical forest areas with the aim of sequestering carbon and of creating or preserving habitats of threatened wildlife spec
Philippines and hence contribute to the conservation of climate and biological diversity. KFI enters into long-term agreem
local communities in order to facilitate rehabilitation of degraded or long-term persistence of existing forests in the Phi
mutual agreement with the donor. Project approaches include: a) Selection of suitable areas based on the potential f
sequestration or the actual carbon stock and the value for biodiversity conservation; b) Management of the acquired
Acquisition of mature forests – in case the forests are in danger of conversion or degradation in a short or middle term
deforestation”); d) Monitoring of acquired areas; e) Forest inventories after the intervention to assess standing crop and
carbon in the living biomass; d) Assessment of selected groups of plants and animals with focus on occurrence of t
species. Efforts also include the establishment of a Critical Habitat in Dumaran Island in an area that is of global con
concern and an importation watershed for Dumaran.
Key sponsors and partners: Zoo Landau in der Pfalz; Stadtholding Landau, Germany, World Association of Zoos and A
La Ola Leisure Bath, Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, anonymous donors.
 

KFI OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES:

President
Joel G. Jimenez
Juan Miguel F. Zubiri Vice President
Glesselle Batin Secretary
Fr. Roberto M. Ebisa, SVD Treasurer
Adelito D. Posas, MD FPCP FPCCP Press Relations
Indira Dayang L. Widmann Chief Executive/Operations Officer
Deborah Villafuerte - van den Beukel Trustee
 

FOUNDING MEMBERS:

Indira Dayang "Yanyan" Lacerna - Widmann

Finished Mass Communication from the University of San Jose Recoletos

Environmental Studies at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Ph
Diploma in Conservation Education at Kent University, UK; eight years of
experience in bilateral GTZ (German-Philippine) development project; and sin
managing the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Programme, founding mem
serving as Chief Operations Officer of the Katala Foundation since incorporation in

   
Peter Widmann

Graduated in Biology at the University Hohenheim, Germany. In the past

years, worked in projects related to biodiversity conservation, mostly in trop
(Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, China). Co-founder and vice-president of th
Foundation. Programme leader of the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program
1998 to 2007. Currently working as adviser for Wildlife Management and Con
Biology at the Tanjungpura University in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
   
Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri

Graduated Agri-Business Management at the University of the Philippines in Los B

age 39, is the youngest to be elected as Senate Majority Leader since the First Co
1946 and after World War II; served the 3 rd District of Bukidnon for nine years
11thCongress in 1998.; father of the Biofuels Act of 2006; “father” of the New Co
Code or RA 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008; founded the Philipp
Foundation and Katala Foundation; and served as a Governor of the Philippine
Red Cross and active member of the Red Cross Youth Committee and Concerne
of the Philippines.
   
 Sabine Schoppe

Graduated in Biology in 1990 and PhD in Biology in 1993 at the Justus Liebig Un
Giessen. Working in wildlife conservation since 1994: Ornithological surveys in
Negros, Philippines (1994), community-based coastal resource management
Philippines (1995-1999), guest professor in aquatic and marine biology at the
Philippines University, Palawan, Philippines (1999-2005), freshwater turtle trade c
of Traffic Southeast Asia in Malaysia and Indonesia (2006), and since February
manager of the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program. Project directo
Philippine Freshwater Turtle Conservation Program. Founding member of KFI a
December 2008 serving as Secretary of the Foundation.
   
Deborah "Debbie" Villafuerte - van den Beukel

Finished BS Environmental Science from the Palawan State University and acqu
in MS Extension Systems Management at the Western Philippines University; six
working experience as Administrative and Conservation Education Officer in the P
Cockatoo Conservation Programme (PCCP); scholar, Global Darwin Sc
Programme hosted by the Field Studies Council in UK; contributes in making e
and publicity materials, fund raising and research; continuously working
Netherlands-based KF website developer; acquired certificates on Web De
Publication courses; a member of International Webmasters Association; KFI's
Member and served as Secretary from 2001 to 2008.
   

Siegfred "Fred" H. Diaz

Finished BS Agricultural Engineering and a graduate of Advance ROTC from the

National Agricultural College (WPU). Acquired units in MS Extension
Management at Western Philippines University. Worked in Government offices (D
LGU-Narra) and 4 years as Environmental Officer in a mining firm based
Palawan; 3 years working experience in Bilateral GTZ (German-Philippines) Dev
Project in Palawan. Late of 1998 started working with the Philippine
Conservation Program, now as PCCP – Field Operations Officer & KFI's founding
 

PCCP/ KIEBC/ PDRCP TEAM:

Program Director
Indira Dayang L. Widmann
Peter Widmann Co-Director/ Science Director
Sheen Hanjin Arib Administrative Assistant
Rene Abdulhamed Antonio Science Research Specialist
Mary Chris P. Nierves Program Development Officer
Joshuael C. Nuñez Science Research Assistant
Anna Rose L. Agullo Education Coordinator
Angeles Guion-Satioquia KIEBC Main Keeper
Michael Plazos Field Officer Dumaran
Kevin Tinay Community Organizer
 

PCCP Wildlife Wardens/SDENROs/Volunteers:

Narra: Edwin Batac, Bernito Basio, Danilo Villaruz, Lucito Dangis, Mario Batac, Reynaldo Alvelar, Veronica Marcelo
 Tejero, Lorna Magturo and Elizabeth Nillos
Dumaran: Eddie Derecho, Angelo Paduga, Orlando Balmonte, Nestor Arzaga, Maximo Pineda, Rodrigo Feria
Pandanan-Balabac: Ismael Dela Cruz, Jhony Casam, Intol Tingkisan, Saipol Panggal, and Ernesto Ogbok
IPPF: Wiliam Deig, Henry Ongo, Garry Bohare, and Eduardo Madriṅan

PTCP/ PANGOLIN TEAM:

Program Director
Dr. Sabine Schoppe
Diverlile Acosta Program Officer
Shiella Mae Jungco Administrative Assistant
Genelle Lagrada Field Operations Officer
John Rey Lagrosa Field Coordinator
Jonalyn B. Lavega Field Coordinator
Dexter Alvarado Research Assistant
Monica Galgallano Community Organizer
Eudelyn Gabuco KIEBC Assistant Keeper
Roseline Mesicampo Education Officer
Ronelito Esuma Research Assistant
 

PFTCP Wildlife Enforcement Officers:

Dumarao, Roxas: Darwin Factor, Gerry Cabildo, David Factor, Winifredo Madeja, Joel Gambalan, Joel Cervantes, Anto
Richie G. Evina
Sandoval, Roxas: Alimar B. Bayot
Mendoza, Roxas: Ric L. Gabuco, Alfredo G. Ferrariz, Modesto B. Torres, Anastacio P. Galache Jr., Loreto V. Baronda Jr.
Jardin, Nelson B. Adon, Ramito D. Gabuco

Read the history of the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program►

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