The Department of Tourism (DOT) committed to assist in the rehabilitation of the Philippine Eagle Foundation Center (PEFC) where it turned over P5 million as a start-up fund for the center’s improvement.DOT Secretary Joseph Ace Durano made the announcement during the opening of the Mindanao Travel and Tour Expo 2007 at SM City Davao Entertainment Plaza.

He said with the influx of tourists happening in our country there is a need to look at the supply side.

He said the DOT is helping develop the products and the tourism department considered the PEFC a unique destination of Davao.

The center houses endangered Philippine Eagle and the Foundation which is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization initiated the protection of the bird and using the eagle as its flagship for conservation it has been able to undertake direct actions that benefit the species, other wildlife and the people who share its rainforest and habitat with the eagle.

Along with the rehabilitation of the PEFC that DOT supports is the development of the Mt. Apo eco-tourism park.

Durano said they had been talking with governors and mayors of provinces and municipalities surrounding Mt. Apo to take concrete steps in the development of eco-tourism as this will attract tourists and at the same time initiate economic activities in the area.