Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

PHILIPPINE WETLANDS:
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

PHILIPPINE WETLANDS

CONTENT
Philippine Wetlands

Legal Bases (International

Policy Framework; National
Laws)

Conservation and
Management

Statistics
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

PHILIPPINE WETLANDS

THE PHILIPPINE
ARCHIPELAGO
The Philippines consists of more than 7600 islands and
is endowed with rich natural resources:
• One of the 17 megadiverse countries
• a naturally water-rich archipelago
• with eight (8) designated Ramsar sites
 PHILIPPINE WETLANDS

WHAT ARE
WETLANDS?
A wetland is defined as any land area
that is saturated or flooded with water,
either seasonally or permanently.
They can be either inland such as lakes,
aquifers and marshes or coastal, as
mangroves, estuaries and coral reefs.

(Source: Ramsar (2018). Wetlands: Discover an ecosystem important for life)

Legal Basis for the Definition
Ramsar Convention & Joint DENR-DA-
PCSD AO 2004-01 Wildlife Act IRR
“WETLANDS are areas of marsh, fen, peatland
or water, whether natural, or artificial,
permanent or temporary, with water that is
static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt,
including areas of marine water the depth of
which at low tide does not exceed six meters.”
“…may incorporate riparian and coastal zones
adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or
bodies of marine water deeper than six meters
at low tide lying within the wetlands.”
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Biodiversity Management Bureau
R.A. 11038
Expanded NIPAS Act
(mm) WETLANDs refer to a wide
variety of inland habitats such as
marshes, peatlands, floodplains,
rivers and lakes, and coastal areas
such as saltmarshes, mangroves,
intertidal mudflats and seagrass
beds, and also coral reefs and other
marine areas no deeper than six (6)
meters at low tide, as well as
human-made wetlands such as
dams, reservoirs, rice paddies and
wastewater treatment ponds and
lagoons
PHILIPPINE WETLANDS

INLAND WETLANDS
The Philippines has 358 inland wetlands on record –259
are lakes, 12 are marshes, 6 are swamps, 10 are
peatlands, and 11 are freshwater springs, while the rest
are parts of river systems.

The total biodiversity of Philippine wetlands is comprised

of 1,616 species of aquatic plants and 3,675 species of
aquatic fauna (DENR, 1997) including species that
originate in marine and brackish waters.
(National Report on wetlands in South China Sea - Philippines))

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES/AREAS
COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES/ AREAS
CORAL REEFS
• 796,000 hectares (territorial seas)
• 65,267 hectares within NIPAS MPAs
(8.2%)

MANGROVE FORESTS
• 303,373 hectares (territorial seas)
• 96,661 hectares within NIPAS
MPAs (31.9%)

SEAGRASS BEDS
• 490,920 hectares (territorial seas)
• 53,929 hectares within NIPAS MPAs
(11%)

~37,000 km coastline “6th longest in the world”

Source: 2017 Validated NAMRIA RS Data
Apex of the Coral Triangle “Center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

OTHER HABITATS

Beaches
• Important for Intertidal flats
nesting ground for • Important feeding
sea turtles habitat for
• Ph has one of the waterbirds /
best beaches in the prevents storm
world (Boracay, surge (e.g. Olango
Estuaries
Pagudpod, Mactan, Coastal Island Wildlife • Mixing area of freshwater
Panglao, Camiguin, El
Lagoons
• Fish nurseries and
Sanctuary) and saltwater
Nido, Pearl farm) • Important path for
for recreation (e.g.
(DOT website, 2019)
Apo Reef coastal migratory fishes (e.g. Ilog-

lagoon, most of Hilabangan estuary in

Coron lakes) Negros Occidental Coastal

Wetlands; mouth of
Cagayan River)
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

WHY CONSERVE OUR

PHILIPPINE
WETLANDS
Wetlands are important
Wetlands are a critical part of our environment. Wetlands provide
many benefits — from food and habitat of marine life, wildlife, and
endangered species, to water quality improvement, flood storage, and
erosion control.
 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FROM WETLANDS

Reference: Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. (2018). Global Wetland Outlook: State of the World’s Wetlands Biodiversity Management Bureau
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

Terrestrial Freshwater Marin

STATUS AND TRENDS 125 e

TRENDS IN FRESHWATER, MARINE,

100
AND TERRESTRIAL LIVING
PLANET INDICES, 1970-2000 75

50
• 35% of the world’s wetlands have been
lost since 1970. 25

• Wetlands are disappearing three times

0
faster than forests. 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
• Wetland dependent plants, species and
animals are at risk of extinction
• Human wellbeing, livelihoods and the
Source: World Wide Fund for Nature and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre
health of the planet are threatened
THREATS
DRIVERS OF WETLAND
LOSS AND DEGRADATION

• Habitat destruction
• Overexploitation and
unsustainable utilization
• Invasive Alien Species
• Pollution
• Poaching and illegal trade
• Incompatible tourism activities
• Overlapping and conflicting
policies
• Drought
• Climate Change
 Laws and policies are critical in the conservation and management
PHILIPPINE WETLANDS of Philippine Wetlands.

LEGAL BASES AND FRAMEWORKS

CONSERVE PHILIPPINE WETLANDS

MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS

 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

 “The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Biodiversity Management Bureau

especially as Waterfowl Habitat”

 Intergovernmental treaty on wetlands
 Provides the framework for the conservation and wise use
 172 Contracting Parties (member countries)
 First modern global environmental agreement
 Named after Ramsar in Iran, where the Convention was adopted in 1971

Bodies of the Ramsar Convention

- Conference of Contracting Parties (COP)
- Standing Committee
- Scientific and Technical Review Panel
- Secretariat

National Level Implementation

- National Administrative Authority
- Head, NAA
- Ramsar National Focal Point
- STRP Focal Point
- CEPA GO and NGO Focal Points
- National Wetland Committee

Mission:
“The conservation and wise use of wetlands through local and national
actions, and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving
sustainable development
throughout the world.”
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

Accession by the Philippines on

8 July 1994, which became
effective on 8 November 1994
Wise use of wetlands
"the maintenance of their ecological character,
achieved through the implementation of ecosystem
approaches, within the context of sustainable
development."

Responsibilities of Contracting Parties

 wise use of wetlands
 nominate wetlands of international importance
 international cooperation
 submission of national report
 dues

National Administrative Authority: Biodiversity Management Bureau – DENR

Philippine-authored Ramsar Resolution

• Ramsar Resolution XII.13 Wetlands and Disaster Risk Reduction – adopted during COP12 in 2015
• Ramsar Resolution XIII.20 Promoting the conservation and wise-use of intertidal wetlands and
ecologically-associated habitats – adopted during COP13 in October 2018
 Ramsar Regional Initiatives in Asia-Oceania

Central
Asia RRC - East
Asia

Indo-
Burma
East Asian-Australasian
South Asia Flyway
19 in total, 5 in Asia
• support the implementation of the
Convention in geographic regions
through international cooperation to
address wetland issues of common
concern
Ramsar International Organization Partners (IOPs)

• provide invaluable support for the work of the Convention, by providing expert
technical advice, field level implementation assistance, and financial support
Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016-2024

Vision: “Wetlands are conserved, wisely used,

restored and their benefits are recognized and
valued by all”

• The Plan lays out a new vision under the

Convention mission, four overall goals and 19
specific targets

• designed to support the efforts of

Contracting Parties, partners and other
stakeholders in preventing, stopping and
reversing the global decline of wetlands
 PHILIPPINE Las Pinas-Paranaque
Wetland Park, Metro Manila

RAMSAR SITES
Photo by RICHARD A. REYES (Inquirer.net)

Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal

Wetlands, Pampanga

Puerto Princesa Subterranean Naujan Lake National Park,

River NP, Palawan Oriental Mindoro

Photo by Djop Tabaranza, MBCFI

Tubbataha Reefs Natural

Park, Palawan

Agusan Marsh Wildlife

Negros Occidental Coastal Wetland Sanctuary, Agusan del Sur

Photo by ERWIN MASCARIÑAS

Conservation Area, Negros Occidental

Photo courtesy of DENR

Photo by NILO ARRIBAS, JR.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Olango Island Wildlife
Biodiversity Management Bureau
Agusan Marsh Wildlife
Sanctuary
Ramsar Site No. 1009 | 12 Nov 1999 |
Agusan del Sur
• 14, 836 hectares
• complex of freshwater marshes and
watercourses with numerous shallow
lakes and ponds in the upper basin of
the Agusan River and its tributaries,
which rise in the hills of eastern
Mindanao
• Holds the remaining unique and intact
peat swamp forest in the country
estimated to store 22.9 million tons of carbon within its
5,487 hectare peatland
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

CONSERVATION

NATIONAL
COMMITMENTS
Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022
Chapter 20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and
Healthy Environment

Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and

Action Plan 2015-2028
Thematic sectors include:
• Coastal and Marine
• Inland Wetlands
 National Wetland Action Plans

(2019-2024)

1993 - 2010 2011-2016 “By 2024, all priority inland wetlands are
healthy, valued, continuously providing
essential ecosystems services and sustainably
managed and enjoyed by empowered
stakeholders.”
 NATIONAL GOAL:
Promote the sustainable management and wise use of peatlands
through awareness raising, capacity building and enhanced
inter-agency and multisectoral cooperation for the
conservation of biodiversity, the benefit of the local community
and climate change mitigation.

OBJECTIVES
1. To raise awareness of peatlands at the national and local
level.
2. To build capacity in relevant agencies/institutions on
peatland management
3. To protect existing peatlands with high functional and
conservation values
4. To set up appropriate institutional framework and
enhance cooperation in the management of peatlands.
5. To develop sustainable use strategies in peatlands for
local livelihood.

DAO 2022-06 Guidelines for Sustainable Development

Planning and Management of Peatlands (signed March 15, 2022)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

SOME WATER AND WETLANDS-RELATED LAWS

1986 Philippine Constitution Legal Protection from conversion or Legal Basis
destruction
RA 8371 (IPRA)
Mangrove swamps Fisheries Code, Forestry Code
RA 8550 (Fisheries Code )
RA 10654 (amended Fisheries Code)
Coral reefs Fisheries Code
RA 7586 (NIPAS Act)
RA 11038 (ENIPAS Act) Wet caves Caves Act
RA 9147 (Wildlife Act)
RA 9072 (Cave Act) Wetlands declared as Protected Areas ENIPAS Act
RA 7160 (Local Government Code)
Wetlands declared as Marine Protected Areas Fisheries Code
RA 7611 (SEP for Palawan Act)
RA 9275 (Clean Water Act)
Wetlands designated as Critical Habitats Wildlife Act
RA 9729 (Climate Change Act)
PD 1067 (Water Code ) Swamps and marshes Water Code
EO 111 (Ecotourism)
EO 578 (Policy on Biodiversity and Verde Is.) Riverbeds, sand bars, tidal flats Water Code
EO 533 (Integrated Coastal Mgt.)
Wetlands identified as ECAs or for ECP PEISS
EO 816 (RBCO creation)
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

WETLAND CONSERVATION

POLICIES IN THE PIPELINE

House Bill No. 2504 House Bill No.
Senate Bill No. 124 3055
“ An Act Establishing a National Wetland Policy, Senate Bill No. 523
“ An Act to Conserve, Protect and Sustainably Manage
Peatlands and its Resources, and for other Purposes”
Providing Mechanism for its Institutionalization, and
Appropriating Funds Therefor ”
(National Peatland and Peatland Resources Management,
Conservation and Protection Act of 2022)
(Wetlands Conservation Act)

HBN3055 Introduced by:

HBN2504 Introduced by:
Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores,
Rep. Dante Sotelo Garcia,
2nd District of Bukidnon
2nd District La Union

SBN 523 Introduced by:

SBN124 Introduced by:
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar
PHILIPPINE WETLANDS
Conservation measures and management programs being

CONSERVATION AND implemented

MANAGEMENT
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

Inland Wetland Conservation Management Program

PROFILING & KNOWLEDGE RECOGNITION AND

ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES MECHANISM

INVENTORY & MANAGEMENT CAPACITY BUILDING

MAPPING AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
 W
E
CONSERVATION OF PHILIPPINE INLAND T
L
WETLANDS A
N
D

S
T
A
Management Scheme T
- Protected Area
- Critical Habitat U
- Local Conservation
Area S
- ICCA etc.
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

DENR/PAWB/BMB-initiated wetland policies/guidelines

POLICIES ON PHILIPPINE WETLAND CONSERVATION

DMC 1997-17 Criteria for the Identification of Wetlands Critical for Biodiversity Conservation

BMB TB No. 2016-10 Outline of Cave/Wetland Management Plans

DAO 2016-26 Guidelines for the Implementation of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management
Program (CMEMP)

BMB TB No. 2018-06 Prescribing the Forms for Inland Wetland Inventory and Profiling

BMB TB No. 2019-06 Inland Wetlands and Terrestrial Caves: Technical Guide on Biodiversity Assessment and
Monitoring System

BMB TB 2020-06 Guide to Design and Installation of Ramsar Site Markers and Signs

DAO 2021-34 Guidelines for the Establishment and Implementation of the Cave Management,
Protection, and Conservation Program (CMPCP)

DAO 2022-06 Guidelines for Sustainable Development Planning and Management of Peatlands
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

WETLAND MANAGEMENT

WETLAND INVENTORY
PUBLICATIONS

Wetland inventory reports are compiled into a national

database and are published in the Atlas of Inland Wetlands.

The first edition was published in 2014 covering Luzon only.

The second edition was then published in 2016, covering
inland wetlands nationwide.
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

PHILIPPINE WETLANDS

ASSESSMENT AND
MANAGEMENT
29%

15.6%

As of December 2021, from the 358

inventoried wetlands, 104 wetlands have
already been assessed and 56 wetlands
has a management plan
 PAs WITH INLAND WETLANDS
PAs with Wetlands
Protected Areas
Features
Initial Component 124 52
Proclaimed 13 6
Legislated 107 44
TOTAL 244 (+ 6) 102
Examples of NIPAS areas which features wetlands
• Tinuy-An Falls Protected Landscape,
• Naujan Lake National Park, • Mainit Hotspring Protected Landscape,
• Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, • Lake Lanao Watershed Reservation,
• Puerto Princesa Underground River, • Lake Buluan GRWS,
• Taal Volcano Protected Landscape, • Lake Danao Natural Park
• Buhi Wildlife Sanctuary,
• Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

STRENGTHENING OF CONSERVATION MEASURES

WETLANDS AS BIRD TOURISM SITE

PPSRNP ⬥ Rasa Island ⬥ Hundred Island ⬥ Bangrin Marine PA,

Bais Bay ⬥ Balanga City, Tortugas ⬥ Candaba Marsh ⬥ LPPCHEA ⬥

Olango Island WS ⬥ Lake Manguao, Palawan ⬥ Bicol River Estuary

⬥ Balinsasayao Twin Lakes ⬥ Agusan Marsh

(Xinhua/ MANILA BULLETIN)

WETLANDS AS CRITICAL HABITAT

• Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (Pres.

Proc. 1412)

• Cabusao Wetland Critical Habitat, Camarines Sur (DAO 2011-10)

• Malasi Tree Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Isabela (DAO 2012-01)

 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

OTHER INITIATIVES AND CURRENT EFFORTS

NATIONAL POLICY STRENGTHENING OF STAKEHOLDER
CAPACITY-BUILDING
AND PROGRAM ON CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT AND
AND CEPA
WETLANDS MEASURES PARTNERSHIP

• harmonization of different • continuous CEPA and • designation of • DA-BFAR and DENR-

mandates and policies concerted efforts on additional Local BMB convergence
• creation of inter-agency wetland management Conservation Areas, initiative
working group or committee • National trainings NIPAS, Critical Habitat, • private sector
• national policy and • Support to biodiversity Ramsar Sites etc. partnerships
framework on Philippine symposium (PBCFI, • encourage citizen
wetlands PSFS, SCPW etc) science and
volunteerism
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP

Boracay Adopt-a-Wetland Peatlands Conservation SMARTSEAS PH

partnerships
with Energy Development Corp.
(EDC), Aboitiz Equity Ventures
Inc., San Miguel Corp. (SMC),
Boracay tubi System Inc. (BTSI),
JG Summit Holdings Inc.
three-year partnership between
DENR and PLDT-Smart group for
the protection, conservation, and
restoration of Caimpugan and
other peatlands in AMWS
(Strengthening Marine Protected Areas
to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity
Areas in the Philippines) Project to
accelerate the establishment of marine
protected areas (MPAs) and MPA
networks (MPANs)
 www.ramsar.org

Wetlands
CEPA
Program
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Biodiversity Management Bureau

bmb@bmb.gov.ph

www.bmb.gov.ph

632- 8920-4486

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center,

Diliman, 1100 Quezon City

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