THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the Philippines now has 10 Wetlands of International Importance with the designation of the Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve (SWNR) in Zamboanga Sibugay and the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve (DCMR) in Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS).
The protection of wetlands helps provide drinking water, food, shelter, livelihoods, and flood control, in addition to serving as carbon sinks.
The Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty providing a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources, officially included SWNR and DCMR-SIPLAS to the list of wetlands of international importance, highlighting their significance not only to the Philippines but to the global community as well.
DENR said SWNR is surrounded by 9 municipalities in Zamboanga Sibugay that host thousands of migratory birds during migration season from September to March. It is also home to what is believed to be the largest colony of flying foxes as well as critically endangered marine turtle species.
DCMR-SIPLAS serves as an important community asset to the municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte and the entire island of Siargao as it has a mangrove cover of approximately 4,871 hectares which comprises more than half of the island’s total mangrove forest.
The DENR said at least eight percent of flora and 20 percent of fauna found in DCMR-SIPLAS are endemic to the Philippines and the Mindanao region, including the Philippine duck, Southern rufous hornbill, Mindanao hornbill and the Yellowish bulbul.
The agency said the wetland also supports food production, livelihood, and ecotourism activities, and protects nearby communities against storm surges. The Philippines’ other Wetlands of International Importance include the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu; Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro; Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan; Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur; Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area in Negros Occidental; and the Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands in Pampanga.
