Ramsar Site Designation

in the Philippines
Field Validation for the Proposed Designation of the
Cadiz Wetlands Nature Reserve as a Ramsar Site
22-23 April 2024
The Ramsar Convention
(Convention on Wetlands)
• Intergovernmental treaty on
wetlands; Provides the
framework for wetland
conservation and wise use
• The only global environmental
treaty that deals with a
particular ecosystem, the
Named after
Ramsar in Iran, where the
Convention was adopted in
1971
• 172 Parties (member
countries)
 The “3-implementation pillars”

The sustainable Designation and

use of wetlands and
their resources to
benefit humankind.
• Wetland inventory Wise Use of
Wetlands
• Legislation
• Wetland CEPA
conservation management
of priority wetlands as
Wetlands of International
Ramsar Importance
Sites (Ramsar Sites).
> 2,500 sites wordwide.

International
cooperation

International cooperation for shared

wetlands and their resources, e.g.
water, migratory species.
The Ramsar Sites

2,514 Sites covering 257,257,413 hectares

In the 172 Ramsar Contracting Parties across the world
Objectives of the Ramsar List:
• To establish national networks of Ramsar Sites in each
Contracting Party which fully represent the diversity of
wetlands and their key ecological and hydrological functions.
• To contribute to maintaining global biological diversity
through the designation and management of appropriate
wetland sites.
• To foster cooperation among Contracting Parties, the
Convention’s International Organization Partners, and local
stakeholders in the selection, designation, and management
of Ramsar Sites.
• To use the Ramsar Site network as a tool to promote national,
supranational/ regional, and international cooperation in
relation to complementary environment treaties.
 • Ramsar Site managers reported that
designation has helped maintain the conservation
status of the wetlands

Benefits of • Benefits of Designation include:

Ramsar Site ‐ Increased awareness about the site’s importance

Designation ‐ Increased cross-sectoral participation by relevant

stakeholders in the management and wise use of the
site
‐ Increased conservation support through funding and
capacity building support (both domestic and
international)
‐ Enhanced opportunities for promoting scientific research
and ecotourism.
 Manage their Sites in such a way that the ecological
character of the wetland is maintained within the
context of the overall wise use of wetlands
• Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) and map;
• Wetland assessments (not only biological and hydrological
components, but also socio-economic status of any IPs and local
communities and on the wetland ecosystem values and services)
Responsibilities
• Wetland management plan and broad-based management
of Ramsar Sites body; local community engagement;
• RIS update every 6 years; Report on changes in ecological
character (RIS or urgent report);
• Regular monitoring of status (health) of the wetland; Evaluate
management effectiveness (R-METT);
• Implementation of CEPA Program (Communication, Education,
Participation and Public Awareness) including establishment of
Wetland Education/Information Centers and World Wetlands Day
celebration
 Criteria for Identifying
Wetlands of International
Importance are based on:
• Representative, rare, or
unique wetland types
The Philippine
• Important ecological
Ramsar Sites communities
• Wide range of wetland
dependent species like
waterbirds, fish, and other
taxa

© Tommy Schultz
 The Philippine Ramsar Sites

Naujan Lake National Park,

Sasmuan Pampanga
Oriental Mindoro
Coastal Wetlands, Manila
Bay

Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat

and Ecotourism Area, Metro Manila

Olango Island Wildlife

Sanctuary, Cebu

Puerto Princesa Subterranean

River NP, Palawan

Agusan Marsh Wildlife

Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park, Negros Occidental Coastal Wetland Sanctuary, Agusan del Sur
Palawan Conservation Area, Negros Occidental

The Ramsar Site Designation
Process
Diagram ©Lew Young; Adopted from:
RRC-EA. (2017). The Designation and
Management of Ramsar Sites – A
practitioner’s guide.
Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance
A. Sites containing representative, rare or unique wetland types
Criterion 1: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it
contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural
wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.
B. Sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity Criteria based
on species and ecological communities
Criterion 2: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports
vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological
communities.
Criterion 3: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports
populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological
diversity of a particular biogeographic region.
Criterion 4: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports
plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge
during adverse conditions

The Ramsar Site Designation
Process
Diagram ©Lew Young; Adopted from:
RRC-EA. (2017). The Designation and
Management of Ramsar Sites – A
practitioner’s guide.
Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance
B. Sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity Criteria based on
species and ecological communities
Criterion 5: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly
supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
Criterion 6: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly
supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
Criterion 7: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports a
significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history
stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland
benefits and/ or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity.
Criterion 8: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it is an
important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path
on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend.
Criterion 9: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly
supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-
dependent non-avian animal species.
 The Ramsar Site Designation Process
Step 1. Nomination of proposed Ramsar
Site*

Step 2. Field validation

Step 3. Evaluation of documentary

requirements

Step 4. Issuance of Designation Letter

*Documentary Requirements
• Proof of Intent and Commitment from
the Local Management Body/ies
• Duly accomplished Ramsar Information
Sheet (RIS)
• Site Maps (jpg and shapefiles)
• Endorsements
 The Ramsar Site Designation Process
Proponent Ramsar Administrative Authority Ramsar Convention Bureau
PENRO/CENRO/ DENR Regional BMB DENR Office of Ramsar Regional Ramsar Secretary
PA Mgt Office Office the Secretary Staff General
(Asia-Oceania)

Submits intent to Provides initial

have Ramsar Site Provides initial review Sends password
and an initial review and on online RIS
Ramsar endorsement to Registers the Site
Information BMB to RSIS; Requests
Sheet (offline) Ramsar for access
Provides to online RIS
allocation for
detailed Reviews Provides initial
Conducts assessment and requirements reviews of online
detailed consultations (including online RIS
assessment of RIS)
probable Ramsar
Site Review Issues the
requirements and Endorses to OSec designation letter Reviews the
endorse to OSec, completed online Issues the
Submits Certificate of
complete through BMB RIS
Ramsar Site
nomination
requirements Endorses to
Site is included in
Submits Final RIS Ramsar SecGen
the Ramsar List
to Ramsar
 Draft LGU/PAMB Resolution
on Nomination to Ramsar List
WHEREAS, the _______(name of wetland)____ is one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines which
features _________________;
WHEREAS, (mention other importance or recognition of the Wetland Area, if any)…;
WHEREAS, the Convention on Wetlands or Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for
national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources of which the
Philippines is one of the member countries;
WHEREAS, inclusion of the _______(name of wetland)____ on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance , also known
as being a Ramsar Site, will develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important to the conservation of
global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and
benefits/services;
WHEREAS, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), is
the National Administrative Authority of the Ramsar Convention that shall nominate _______(name of wetland)____ as Ramsar Site
to the Convention Secretariat;
WHEREAS, this August Body respectfully recommends the nomination of ____ (name of wetland)____as a Ramsar Site to the
Convention on Wetlands;
WHEREAS, upon designation as Ramsar Site, as a commitment to the Ramsar Convention, the PAMB/Local Government/s of ______
shall commit to take steps necessary to ensure the wise use of the _______ (name of wetland)____ and the maintenance of its
ecological character in accordance with the principles of the Convention;
BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, to recommend to the BMB of the DENR, the nomination of _______(name of wetland)____
as Ramsar Site to the Convention on Wetlands.
RESOLVED Further, that copies of this Resolution be furnished to the ______________, for their information.
 Online
Ramsar
Information
Sheet
 Online
Ramsar REFERENCES

Information FOR EXISTING RAMSAR SITES:

RSIS Login Instructions

Sheet
https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/rsis_instructions_e.pdf
Using the Ramsar Sites Information Service
https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/rsis_tutorial_e_1.pdf

• https://rsis.ramsar.org/
FOR NEW RAMSAR SITE DESIGNATIONS:
• http://www.ramsar.org/ Blank offline RIS Word Form for New Designations
document/strategic- https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/blank_offline_ris_word_form.docx
framework-and- How to use the offline RIS Word Form
guidelines-rsis https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/how_to_use_the_offline_ris_word_form.pdf
RSIS Video Tutorials
https://www.ramsar.org/news/launch-of-rsis-video-tutorial
RSIS Training Manual
http://www.ramsar.org/document/using-the-ramsar-sites-information-service
Ramsar Site Map
Thank you po!
Biodiversity Management Bureau
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center
Diliman, 1100 Quezon City
T. +(63 2) 9246031-35
F. +(63 2) 9240109
www.bmb.gov.ph
bmb@bmb.gov.ph
cawed@bmb.gov.ph