Protected Areas in the

Overview

Republic Act 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 provides the legal framework for the establishment and management of protected areas in the Philippines. 

The Law defines protected areas as the identified portions of land and/or water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploration.

The establishment and management of protected areas are part of the international commitments signed by the Philippine Government such Convention on Biological Diversity, Ramsar Convention, World Heritage Convention, Convention on Migratory Species, and the ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

The NIPAS Act identified 202 initial components comprising of proclaimed national parks, game refuge and wildlife sanctuaries, nature reserves, wilderness areas, mangrove reserves, watershed reservations, fish sanctuaries, protected landscapes and seascapes, among others prior to the effectivity of the NIPAS Act. 

Philippine Clearing House Mechanism for Biodiversity:http://www.chm.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=180

Overview

The implementation of the NIPAS Act is currently on its 19th year. It is implemented originally through DENR Administrative Order No. 25, Series of 1992. The said DENR Administrative Order was amended pursuant to DAO 2008-26 dated 24 December 2008.  This Administrative Order sets the procedures for the establishment, administration, management and development of the System.

There are one hundred twelve (112) protected areas formally proclaimed by the President under the System covering 3.54 million hectares.

Seventy (70) out of the 112 are initial components with an area of 1.97 million hectares and forty-two (42) additional areas with an area of 1.57 million hectares. 

Of the 112 proclaimed protected areas:o 29 are marine protected areas with a total area of 1.37 million hectares.o 83 are terrestrial protected areas covering an area of 2.17 million hectares.

Philippine Clearing House Mechanism for Biodiversity:http://www.chm.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=180

some of the Protected Areas

Natural Parks

Location Albay

Nearest city

Legazpi City, Liga City,Tabaco City

Coordinates

13°15′24″N 123°41′6″ECoordinates: 13°15′24″N 123°41′6″E

Area 5,775.7 hectares (14,272 acres)

Established

July 20, 1938 (National park)November 21, 2000 (Natural park)

Governing body

Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines)

Mayon Volcano Natural Park

www.pinterest.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayon_Volcano_Natural_Park

Location near the middle of Sulu Sea

Coordinates 8°55’N 119°55’E

Area 97,030 hectares (239,800 acres)

Recognition

World Heritage Site by the (UNESCO) in December 1993 and falls under the protective management of the (DND) of the Philippines. It is under technical supervision by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and (DENR).

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

wonderfulworldreview.blogspot.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubbataha_Reef

Location Isabela,Philippines

Nearest city Ilagan

Coordinates

17°18′29″N 122°5′10″ECoordinats: 17°18′29″N 122°5′10″E

Area359,486 hectares (888,310 acres)

Established

September 7, 1979 (Wilderness area)March 10, 1997 (Natural park)

Governing body

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park

www.traveltothephilippines.info

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Sierra_Madre_Natural_Park

Location Bohol

Coordinates 9°55’N 124°10’E

Area 97,030 hectares (239,800 acres)

Established

June 18, 1988(National Geological Monument)July 1, 1997(Natural Monument)

Governing Body

National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Chocolate Hills Natural Monument

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_Hills

www.thousandwonders.net

Apo Reef Natural Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apo_Reef

Location Mindoro Strait

Coordinates

12.66167°N 120.4144°E

Geography

15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) west of the nearest coast of the Philippine island of Mindoro

Established

1980(Marine Park)1983(Tourism Zone and Marine Reserve)1996(Natural Park)en.wikipedia.org

some of the Protected Areas

Protected Landscapes

Highest point

Elevation 311 m (1,020 ft) 

Coordinate

14°0′7″N 120°59′34″ECoordinates: 14°0′7″N 120°59′34″E

Geography

LocationTalisay and San Nicolas, Batangas, Luzon, Philippines

Geology

Mountain type Complex volcano

Volcanic arc/belt Macolod Corridor

Last eruption

October to November 1977

Climbing

Easiest route

Daang Kastila[Spanish Trail]

Taal Volcano Protected Landscape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano

tvpl.denr.gov.ph

José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Rizal_Memorial_Protected_Landscape

Location Zamboanga del Norte,Philippines

Nearest city Dapitan

Coordinates

8°40′2″N 123°25′0″ECoordinates: 8°40′2″N 123°25′0″E

Area 439 hectares (1,080 acres)

Established

September 3, 1940 (National park)April 23, 2000 (Protected landscape)

Governing body

National Historical CommissionDepartment of Environment and Natural Resourcesen.wikipedia.org

Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Marikina_River_Basin_Protected_Landscape

Location Rizal, Philippines

Nearest city Antipolo

Coordinates

14°40′16″N 121°12′50″ECoordinates: 14°40′16″N 121°12′50″E

Area 26,125.64 hectares (64,557.9 acres)

Established

July 26, 1904 (Watershed reservation)November 24, 2011 (Protected landscape)

Governing body

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

en.wikipedia.org

Mount Mantalingajan Protected Landscape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Mantalingajan

Highest point

Elevation 2,085 m (6,841 ft)Coordinate

8°49′06″N 117°40′11″E

Prominence 2,085 m (6,841 ft)

Listing UltraGeography

Location Palawan

Country Philippines

Region MIMAROPA

Province PalawanMunicipality Brooke’s Point

Parent Rage

Mantalingahan Range

lakbaybuhay.com

Mount Matutum Protected Landscape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Matutum

Highest point

Elevation 2,286 m (7,500 ft)

Coordinate6°26′00″N 125°06′30″ECoordinates: 6°26′00″N 125°06′30″E

Prominence 1,950 m (6,400 ft)

Listing • Active volcano• Ultra

Geography

Location MindanaoCountry PhilippinesRegion SOCCSKSARGENProvince South CotabatoMunicipality Tupi

Parent Rage

Hamiguitan Mountain Range

Geography

Mountain type Stratovolcano

Volcanic arc/belt Cotabato Arc

Last eruption 1911

jpgmag.com

some of the Protected Areas

Protected Landscapes and Seascapes

Location Batanes

Coordinates

20°35’N 121°54’E

Area 213,578.00 ha(527,762.7 acres)

Established 1994

Governing Body

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_the_Philippines

jeykbulawan.wordpress.com

Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siargao

Geography

Coordinate

9°54′18″N126°4′0″ECoordinates: 9°54′18″N 126°4′0″E

Adjacent bodies of water

Philippine Sea

Administration

Region CARAGA

Province Surigao del Norte

www.pinterest.com

Mounts Palay-Palay–Mataas-na-Gulod Protected Landscape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mounts_Palay-Palay%E2%80%93Mataas-na-Gulod_Protected_Landscape

Location Cavite and Batangas,Philippines

Nearest city Tagaytay

Coordinates

14°12′56″N 120°39′11″ECoordinates: 14°12′56″N 120°39′11″E

Area 3,973.13 hectares (9,817.8 acres)

Established

October 26, 1976 (National park)June 27, 2007 (Protected landscape)

Governing body

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

some of the Protected Areas

Watershed Forest Reserves

Angat Watershed Forest Reserve

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=9719

Location Philippines, Region III

Central coordinates

121o 2.00' East  14o 57.00' North

IBA criteria A1, A2

Area 6,600 ha

Altitude 490 - 920m

Year of IBA assessment

2001

IBAs – Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas

www.mb.com.ph

Loboc Watershed Forest Reserve

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_the_Philippines

Location Bohol, Philippines

Area 19,410.00 ha(47,963.2 acres)

Established

December 23, 1953

boholandcebubiodiversity.wordpress.com

Allah Valley Watershed Forest Reserve

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_the_Philippines

Location South Cotabato, Philippines

Area 92,450.00 ha(228,448.9 acres)

Established 1985

en.wikipedia.org

some of the Protected Areas

Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary Managed Resource Protected Areas

Olango Island Bird Sanctuary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_the_Philippines

Location Cebu, Philippines

Area920.00 ha(2,273.4 acres)

Established 1992

anaemerenciana013.wordpress.com

Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_the_Philippines

Location Davao Oriental, Philippines

Area6,834.00 ha(16,887.2 acres)

Established 2004

www.pinoymountaineer.com

El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_the_Philippines

Location Palawan, Philippines

Area89,134.76 ha(220,256.8 acres)

Established 1998

www.shore2shore-travel-services.com