LAS PIÑAS-PARAÑAQUE CRITICAL HABITAT ECOTOURISM AREA

Covering around 175 hectares of wetland ecosystem, LPPCHEA consists of two (2)
islands—Freedom Island and Long Island—with mangroves, ponds and lagoons,
mudflats, salt swamps, and mixed beach forest all over. Established in 2007 thru
Presidential Proclamation No. 1412 as amended, LPPCHEA is the first critical
habitat to be declared in the country and is one of the Protected areas as
defined by Section 4 of RA 11038, the expanded NIPAS act.

Things we can do:

1. Bird Watching.
Wild birds are the main fascination of LPPCHEA. At any given day, guests
are sure to find birds nesting, feeding or flying around in the open.
LPPCHEA serves as a haven for our feathered buddies. Currently, there
are around 82 wild bird species found in LPPCHEA, 41 of which are
migratory.

2. Visit the Mangrove Forest.

Another attraction in LPPCHEA is its mangrove forest – the thickest and
most diverse among the remaining mangrove areas within Manila
Bay. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees adapted to living in salt and
brackish water conditions. These trees act as a shelter, spawning, and
feeding grounds for birds and sea animals. It serves as protection for the
coastal communities of Las Piñas and Parañaque.

3. Trek to the 3 connecting ponds of Freedom Island, Lagoons and

Mudflats.
The mudflats of LPPCHEA are an attraction to a specific set of visitors, the
scientific researchers. A trek to the three connecting ponds of Freedom
Island is also a must, as each hosts a particular wild bird and mangrove
species. The Common Moorhen, Philippine Duck, and White-Collared
Kingfisher, for example, are known residents of the lagoons.
The salt marshes of LPPCHEA are also worth visiting. Noted for its
uncommon ecosystem, salt marshes play an important role in the aquatic
food web. Salt marshes also help in protecting shorelines from erosion by
buffering wave action and trapping sediments.

4. Take part in the coastal clean up and tree planting activities.

Contact details:

Conservation and Development Division (02) 435-2509.

QUESTIONS:

NATURAL RESOURCES AND FEATURES

1. What are the natural resources in the area?

2. What are the endangered species in the area?
3. What are the scenic attractions?
4. What are the critical areas needing protection?

PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT

1. What are the zoning categories in the protected areas?
2. Is there a protected area management plan?
3. Is there adequate staffing in the protected area management office?
4. What are the threats in the area?
5. What are the impacts of the visitors in the area?
6. Are there studies conducted in the area? If yes, who are doing the research?
7. How is the area being monitored?
8. What are the conservation efforts?

VISITOR PATTERNS, ACTIVITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE

1. What are the visitor attractions in the area?
2. How accessible is the site?
3. What are the visitor activities in the area?
4. What are the visitor statistics?
5. Have visitor surveys been conducted?
6. How much fees are paid for entrance and how are the funds utilized?
7. What facilities and infrastructure are available and what are the conditions of
these?
8. What are the IEC (Information, Education and Communication) programs of
nature interpretation programs in the area?
9. Are there tour guides?

TOURISM PLANS AND POLICIES

1. Does the protected area management plan have a chapter on ecotourism?

2. What are the existing tourism plans for the area?
3. What are the development plans of the LGUs?

COMMUNITIES

1. Are there communities inside and adjacent to the protected are?

2. What are their economic activities?
3. Are they involved in the tourism activities in the area?
4. What are the business in or adjacent to the protected are?

PARTNERSHIPS
 1. Are there existing partnerships with NGOs, POs, local communities, private
sector or the academe?
2. What kind of agreements are there?
3. Are there partnerships with government agencies? Particularly the DENR and
DOT
4. Are these partnerships successful

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS

1. What are the marketing efforts of the protected area management?

2. Is the protected area well known or does it need more promotion?
3. What are the promotion activities done by the LGUs, NGOs or government
agencies?
4. What IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials are
available?

OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

1. What new opportunities can be used to enhance ecotourism in the ares?

2. What are the threats to promoting ecotourism in the area?