#ProtectedAreasForAProtectedFuture
Pilot episode featured frontliners of biodiversity conservation
The pilot episode of PA Talk #ProtectedAreasforAProtectedFuture streamed live at 10:00 AM of June 22, Monday – the 2nd anniversary of the enactment of R.A. No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018. The program was hosted by Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, who co-authored the ENIPAS Act when she was still a Senator. It was organized by the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-BMB) in partnership with the Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda and the Climate Change Commission (CCC).
Asst. Secretary Ricardo L. Calderon, DENR Assistant Secretary for Climate Change and concurrent Director of the DENR-BMB, provided an overview of national parks and the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, representative of the Lone District of Antique and House Deputy Speaker, emphasized the milestone accomplished by the ENIPAS Act. Prior to its enactment, there were only 13 legislated protected areas in the Philippines. In 2018, the ENIPAS Act legislated 94 additional protected areas, bringing the total number of legislated protected areas in the country to 107 which are classified as national park under the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Of the 107 legislated protected areas, six were featured in the pilot episode of PA Talk #ProtectedAreasforAProtectedFuture. The program featured the biological and social importance of these protected areas highlighting the stories of the men and women who manage and protect them, as narrated by the Regional Executive Directors (RED) and the Protected Area Superintendents (PASus).
Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS)
Asst. Secretary/RED Ruth M. Tawantawan presented the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and designated as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP). She explained the uniqueness of the pygmy forests – stunted trees that resulted from growing over a highly mineralized soil – and the rare and threatened species found in the protected area, such as several species of pitcher plant and the majestic Philippine eagle, one of the largest eagles in the world. She also shared that illegal mining and poachers threat the beauty of MHRWS. Meanwhile, CENRO/PASu Martiniano Rotol shared the various technologies, such as camera traps, implemented in order to upscale the monitoring of MHWRS biodiversity, along with the committed “bantay gubat”/forest rangers that patrol regularly to the protect the area.
RED Tawantawan and PASu Rotol also affirmed the benefits of its recognition as an AHP and World Heritage Site. They stressed that it boosted the local tourism, increased its revenues, and helped the declaration of the adjacent Pujada Bay as a protected area. Deputy Speaker Legarda commended the establishment of the Science Museum in MHRWS, and suggested that the other 106 legislated PAs should establish a similar facility to showcase the biodiversity and the cultural heritage of protected areas. She also recommended that this should be done in partnership with other agencies such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the National Museum of the Philippines.
Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP)
RED Ma. Lourdes Ferrer of DENR MIMAROPA introduced to the viewers the sanctuary of the critically endangered tamaraw, Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, which is also designated as an ASEAN Heritage Park. PASu Robert Duquil explained that in order to maintain the integrity of MIBNP, coordination among the MIBNP Management Board, Management Office, and the stakeholders, especially the Indigenous Peoples within the PA, is vital. PASu Duquil highlighted the increase in tamaraw count, from 154 tamaraws in the year 2000 to 480 in 2019. Deputy Speaker Legarda recommended the mapping and collection information about the IPs living in the PA so that their cultural heritage, and their contribution to PA management, are documented.
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park (BTLNP)
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park was presented by RED Paquito Melicor, Jr. PENRO/PASu Nestor M. Canda also proudly shared the breath-taking sceneries of the PA and its 427 species of flora and fauna. He also highlighted that Negros Island is second to Palawan in terms of biodiversity. RED Paquito Melicor, Jr. assured that the BTLNP is almost safe from illegal loggers and poachers due to the rough terrain of the Twin Lakes. The protected area also has intersecting geologic faults. But BTLNP is not taking chances in protecting the area. PASu Canda related how they mobilized and organized the land claimants into People’s Organizations so the locals serve as forest wardens and stewards. In fact, the Peoples organizations are now the ones operating the ecotourism activities in BTLNP. Recognizing the impact of tourism on the environment, Deputy Speaker Legarda highlighted the importance of strict implementation of carrying capacity in the protected area, as well as the banning of single-use plastics and enforcement of RA 9003 on solid waste management.
Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape (PPLS)
Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape was introduced by RED Gwendolyn Bambalan. PPLS is one of the largest PAs in the Cagayan Valley region and is also home to the Philippine Eagle. PASu Tito M. Mangantulao shared personal stories on the management of the protected area. One of the challenges he encountered is how to effectively enforce the laws on forest protection due to limited manpower. It is a good thing therefore that the local community is active and supportive in stopping illegal activities within the protected area. PASu Mangantulao also highlighted the archaeological significance of PPLS. Callao Cave inside the PPLS as this is where Homo luzonensis, a species of human found to predate the Homo sapiens found in Palawan. Deputy Speaker Legarda reiterated her recommendation to include the mapping of culture and archaeology in protected areas in partnership with other government agencies to complement biodiversity conservation.
Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP)
RED Antonio A. Abawag introduced Mt. Isarog Natural Park as “Vulcan de Agua” because of the abundant water it supplies. He mentioned that around 35 towns in Camarines Sur benefit from its water resources. Meanwhile, PASu Vivencio M. Cabanayan, Jr. discussed the various threats faced by Mt. Isarog Natural Park, such as continuous wildlife hunting, illegal cutting of trees, forest fires on summers, and migration, which poses the most serious threat to the protected area. But MINP is active in engaging partners in biodiversity conservation. Volunteers from the 23 surrounding barangays, called the Mt. Isarog Guardians, provide assistance in protecting Mt. Isarog. Because of the water resources provided by the protected area, Deputy Speaker Legarda asked if the issuance of Special-Use Agreements in Protected Areas (SAPA) will help in the conservation of protected areas. She cautioned that while fees can be collected through SAPA, the DENR should be careful in its issuance as there are benefits and risks. In response, ASec. Calderon emphasized that SAPA applications are carefully studied and reviewed to ensure adherence with the provisions of RA 11038 and that these are consistence with the Protected Area Management Plans before they are approved.
Siargao Island Protected Landscape & Seascape (SIPLAS)
Lastly, Siargao Island Protected Landscape & Seascape, dubbed not only as the surfing capital of the Philippines but also a Key Biodiversity Area, Important Bird Area, and the third largest Marine Protected Area in the country, was introduced by RED Hadja Didaw Piang-Brahim. Due to its waves and enchanting beauty, SIPLAS is a must-go-to place for many tourists, whose influx might pose a threat to the ecological integrity of the area. To address this, PASu Joseph E. Langanlangan shared that carrying capacity studies are being done to limit and lessen the negative impact of visitors to the islands. Meanwhile, RED Piang-Brahim shared that a climate-proofed management plan for SIPLAS has already been approved. This management plan guides the activities that are being implemented in SIPLAS. Recognizing the potential positive impacts of the Climate Change School in the area, Deputy Speaker Legarda urged SIPLAS to share with other PAs how they established and managed the same.
Climate Change in Protected Area Management
An integral part of managing protected areas is mitigating and reducing the negative impacts of climate change to biodiversity. Dr. Rex Cruz of the Climate Change Commission provided his insights on how the changing climate is linked to changes in ecosystems. He recommended several strategies to mitigate its impacts, such as (1) promoting science-based management of forests and science-informed policies and (2) establishing networks of learning ecosystems and watersheds in strategic locations as mesocosm for research and capability building programs.
With the hope that everyone who have watched the pilot episode of the PA Talk will have a deeper appreciation of our protected areas and the hard work of the people in the frontlines, Deputy Speaker Legarda encouraged Local Government Units and the public to support the efforts aimed at ensuring that these ecosystems will continue to survive and thrive.
PA Talk #ProtectedAreasForAProtectedFuture is a monthly online series that aims to promote public participation/involvement in the management and protection of protected areas by highlighting the features of protected areas and by showcasing the various facets of PA management through the Regional Executive Directors and stories from the Protected Area Superintendents and other stakeholders.