Ninety-four more areas which included popular tourism destinations as well as internationally-recognized critical zones were placed under “government protection” as mandated in the amended law on environmental protection signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Among the 94 new areas are three Ramsar Sites: the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, Agusan Marsh (Agusan del Sur) and Olango Island (Cebu).
Also protected now as national parks are popular tourist spots in the country including Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island in Bohol, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Mt. Mayon in Albay, Taal Volcano in Batangas, Hinulugang Taktak in Rizal, and Palaui Island in Cagayan.
Internationally-recognized areas are also included: the Asean Heritage Sites Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok (Camiguin) and Mount Iglit-Baco (Mindoro); and Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (Tawi-Tawi).
Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, was principal sponsor of Republic Act 11038 or the law expanding the National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS), signed into law by Duterte on June 22, 2018.
“We are very happy to come up with this legislation ensuring protection for more areas in our megadiverse country. This legislation is timely, given the heightened public clamor to protect and rehabilitate our popular tourist spots,” Villar said.
She noted that the Philippines’ rich biodiversity is a source of pride and joy for all of us Filipinos.
“We actively protect and strongly defend the breadth and depth of our territories to ensure that the future generation of Filipinos will still have the opportunity to take pride and find joy in our country’s rich biodiversity,” said Villar.