Last 28 June 2019, the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) and the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) soft launched its newest theme garden, the Butterfly Garden. The garden was previously an aviary according to For. Leilani A. Castillo, Head of the Forests and Watershed Division (FWD) Unit of MCME who gave a short description about the garden. According to For. Castillo, the conversion of the aviary to a butterfly garden was made possible through the support and funding of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB).
Highlighted during the soft launching was the release of different species of butterflies. A total of 75 butterflies were released by Dr. Roberto G. Visco, Director of MCME and its guests headed by Dr. Willie P. Abasolo, Dean of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) together with the CFNR Executive Committee namely Dr. Priscila C. Dolom, Director of Forestry Development Center; For. Roberto P. Cereno, Director of the Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability (TREES); Ms. Andriette S. Valdez, Head of the CFNR Library; and For. Juancho S. Balatibat, OIC of the CFNR College Secretary’s Office (CSO). Present also during the activity were representatives of Dr. Sofio B. Quintana, Director of ERDB namely For. Digno Garcia ad Mr. Kevin Philip Olaya. In full support also to the activity were the MCME staff.
The soft launching was also one of the activities in celebration of the MCME’s 21st Anniversary.
This additional attraction will surely invite more visitors to the garden. The Center is looking forward to the formal opening of the Butterfly Garden to the public.
Mae Belen L. Putian
Photos taken by: MSCanceran, AALimpiada
