Living Matter Than Just Polymer: Honoring the Endangered, Sustaining Rich Biodiversity

In today’s time, certain animals have become the faces of the Philippine currency. Notice how the three World War II (WWII) Martyrs—Jose Abad, Vicente Lim, and Josefa Llanes Escoba—were replaced by the Philippine eagle, or agila, the country's national bird.

For a blue banknote, it’s great as we honor our biodiversity, but if you ask me on a deeper level, it’s more than just polymer. It also reflects on how our current biodiversity is doing.

Across the Philippines, the latest polymer banknotes have been circulating since last year, highlighting certain endangered species such as sandaktans (Palawan peacock-pheasants), butandings (whale sharks), Visayan spotted deer, Visayan leopard cats, and Maliputo fish. Reported by Positive Space last year, the new banknotes promote not only security and sustainability but also artistry, appreciation, and the country's historic identity.

However, one remains unclear: Is appreciation all we have to preserve our endangered biodiversity? Are monetary, tangible things the only resolution towards creating action towards biodiversity?

In reality, a bird on a bill cannot fly if its habitat is wiped out, even though featuring them is a stride towards national pride, these species run the risk of becoming nothing more than historical relics if we merely regard them as "artistry" on polymer.

We, the community, need to address the systemic sub-issues that are currently depleting our ecosystems in order to get beyond simple appreciation. Reforestation reforms, for instance, aren’t as transformative as it seems. Because let’s face it, tree-planting initiatives focus on expeditious growth instead of researching the specific flora these fauna need.

Additionally, our megadiverse treasures are also being drained by the combination of the illicit wildlife trade, kaingin or Philippine farming practices, and inadequate regulation at local ports, which is frequently motivated by the financial desperation of communities without other sources of income. This just demonstrates that, due to our treatment of them and their habitat, our endangered species—regardless of flora or fauna—are at a genetic dead end.

We choose to ignore manmade actions. We choose to degrade and let biodiversity decline for the benefit of economic means.

If we choose to promote our biodiversity through sustainable money, we should also choose to promote action and awareness towards our treatment for us to save biodiversity while it’s still early. The focus must change from "planting trees" to "growing ecosystems." This entails giving priority to native tree species, such as Dipterocarps, which genuinely supply the food and habitat needed by our indigenous birds and mammals.

Not only that, but let’s remember to go back to our basic environmental etiquette. A macro influence is produced by micro behaviors like the 3Rs, appropriate disposal, and mindful consuming. The pollution and waste mismanagement that fill our waterways and choke the very Butandings and Maliputo we claim to commemorate on our bills are addressed by these easy-to-follow steps. We lessen the strain on our faltering ecosystems by lowering our reliance on single-use plastics and making sure our garbage doesn't wind up in natural environments.

Ultimately, beyond individual discipline, we need to push for and encourage structural changes that improve the financial situation for people who work in the field of conservation. Fighting to ensure that our endangered creatures have a place to return to is what truly honors them, not keeping their image in our wallets. We need to change from being passive consumers of artistry to proactive architects of a robust, dynamic environment.

Let's treat biodiversity with the respect it deserves: a priceless asset that currency cannot ever replace.