The “LPPWP@15 Mobile Photography Contest” for amateur photographers was recently launched to mark the country’s celebration of Earth Day.
Sen. Cynthia Villar lauded the launch of the competition, highlighting the theme of this year’s Earth Day celebration, which is “Invest on Planet Earth.”
Villar, the chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, noted the photo competition will capture the beauty and biodiversity at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP).
LPPWP, formerly known as Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), was included in the “List of Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. “
“It was then known as LPPCHEA. Now, we call it the Las Piñas Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP). It was proclaimed by the Philippine government a critical habitat on Earth Day 15 years ago (April 22, 2007) through Presidential Proclamation No. 1412,” Villar said.
Upon the enactment of the Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (E-NIPAS) Act on June 22, 2018, LPPWP was legislated as a National Protected Area.
Since then, Villar said, so many things have been happening at LPPWP, including threats of reclamation.
“But our resolve and commitment to keep the Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in our country thriving and safe from damages and threats is still strong,” she guaranteed.
“I am sure the photographers will find a lot of subjects or inspiration for their pictures in our wetland. The migratory and endemic birds, mangroves forest, the native trees, the now pristine shoreline, and of course its corner of the Manila Bay teeming with fish now,” also related the senator, a known environmental advocate.
The 175-hectare nature reserve LPPWP is located south of Manila Bay. It has 35 hectares of mangrove forest providing sanctuary to 82 bird species from China, Japan, and Siberia.
This last natural bastion in the metropolis, Villar also said, is home to three endangered or vulnerable bird species–Black-Winged Stilt, Chinese Egrets, and Philippine Duck.
The senator extolled that their collective efforts and actions have turned LPPWP into what it is now: a beautiful sanctuary and center of biodiversity in an urban setting.
“Truly, a rare find nowadays amidst the concrete jungle that our cities have turned into,” noted Villar.
She thanked their partners, especially the DENR National Capital Region and the LPPWP Protected Area Management Board, for the support and assistance in keeping LPPWP at the forefront of their activities and programs.