Report on the Protected Areas and Wildlife Resources in the Philippines

7.1 Summary of Protected Areas in the Philippines

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

● Located in the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage

Site known for its diverse marine life and pristine coral reefs.

● It serves as a protected area to conserve critically endangered marine species such as sea

turtles, sharks, and over 350 species of coral.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

● Home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and

one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

● The park protects a diverse range of ecosystems, including limestone karst landscapes,

tropical rainforests, and a unique underground river system.

Mount Apo Natural Park

● Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, is located within this protected area in

Mindanao.

● It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key biodiversity area, harboring

endemic species of flora and fauna.

Chocolate Hills

● Located in Bohol Province, the Chocolate Hills are a geological formation consisting of

thousands of cone-shaped hills.

● Recognized as a National Geological Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it

is one of the most iconic and unique landscapes in the Philippines.

Mimbilisan Protected Landscape

● Situated in Misamis Occidental on the island of Mindanao, Mount Malindang Range

Natural Park, also known as Mimbilisan, is a protected area rich in biodiversity.

● It encompasses diverse ecosystems, including montane forests, mossy forests, and

mangrove forests, providing habitat for numerous endemic species of plants and animals.

7.2 List of Proclaimed and Declared Protected Areas under NIPAS

Samar Island Natural Park

● Encompassing significant portions of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, this protected

area is characterized by its rugged terrain, diverse forests, and rich biodiversity.

● It provides habitat for numerous endemic species of plants and animals and supports

important ecosystem services such as water regulation and soil conservation.

Taal Volcano Protected Landscape

● Situated in Batangas, this protected landscape encompasses the Taal Volcano and its

surrounding areas.

● It is recognized for its geological significance and unique ecosystems, including crater

lakes and endemic flora and fauna.

Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park

● Located in Bukidnon, this protected area is known for its diverse flora and fauna,

including endemic species such as the Philippine eagle and the tarsier.

● It serves as a critical watershed area and is recognized as an important biodiversity

hotspot in Mindanao.

Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

 ● Located in Davao Oriental, this wildlife sanctuary is known for its unique pygmy forest

and the presence of the Philippine eagle.

● It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to various endemic

species of flora and fauna.

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

● Located in Agusan del Sur, this wildlife sanctuary is the largest wetland ecosystem in the

Philippines.

● It is home to a wide variety of bird species, including migratory birds, and supports the

livelihoods of indigenous communities dependent on its resources.

Bataan Natural Park

● Situated in the province of Bataan, this national park features diverse ecosystems,

including forests, grasslands, and coastal areas.

● It provides habitat for endemic and migratory bird species and serves as an important area

for biodiversity conservation.

References

1. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/653/

2. Tubbataha Management Office. (n.d.). Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

https://tubbatahareefs.org/

3. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National

Park. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/652/

4. Puerto Princesa Underground River Official Website. (n.d.). https://www.puerto-

undergroundriver.com/

5. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Mount Apo Natural Park.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1004/

6. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (n.d.). Sierra Madre Protected

Landscape. https://www.denr.gov.ph/component/k2/item/1373-denr-bares-plan-to-revive-

sierra-madre-protected-landscape

7. Philippine Department of Tourism. (n.d.). Chocolate Hills.

https://tourism.gov.ph/destinations/chocolate-hills

8. - UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Chocolate Hills Natural Monument.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/677/

9. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Mount Malindang Range Natural Park.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1403/

10. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (n.d.). Mount Malindang Range

Natural Park. https://r13.denr.gov.ph/index.php/86-region-xiii-profile/225-mimbilisan-

malindang-range-natural-park
11. Philippine Clearing House Mechanism. (n.d.). 107 Protected Areas Proclaimed under the

ENIPAS. https://www.philchm.ph/107-protected-areas-proclaimed-under-the-enipas/