2 more PH nature reserves tagged of ‘international importance’

MANILA, Philippines — Two of the country’s nature reserves were added to the list of ”Wetlands of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty on conservation adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and came into force in 1975.

The Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve in Zamboanga Sibugay and the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, were listed as the Philippines’ ninth and 10th Ramsar Sites, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced on Thursday.

READ: Pampanga wetland named site of ‘international importance’

Designated as Ramsar Site No. 2252, the Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve is home to five waterbird species, the largest colony of flying foxes in the country, and several marine turtle species.

Meanwhile, the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve, or Ramsar Site No. 2553, is a source of food, livelihood, ecotourism activities, and protection from storm surges for nearby communities.

READ: National policy to protect wetlands pushed

The two sites join a list of eight more Philippine Ramsar Sites:

• Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu (Ramsar Site No. 656)


• Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro (Ramsar Site No. 1008)


• Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan (Ramsar Site No. 1010)


• Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur (Ramsar Site No. 1009)


• Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan (Ramsar Site No. 2084)


• Las Pinas-Parañaque Wetland Park in Metro Manila (Ramsar Site No. 2124)


• Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area in Negros Occidental (Ramsar Site No. 2271)


• Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands in Pampanga (Ramsar Site No. 2445)

Representatives of the Zamboanga Sibugay and Surigao del Norte provinces accepted the awards during the 10th Asian Wetland Symposium last November 25 to 28 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria in Quezon City.

(2024/12/12-22:14)