The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Philippines

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

PHILIPPINES / FILIPINAS

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for the Philippines on 8 November 1994. The Philippines presently has 4 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 68,404 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary. 12/11/99; Mindanao; 14,836 ha; 08º17’N 125º53’E. A vast 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. Some parts of the marsh have been converted into fishponds and rice paddies. The site acts as storage for rain water and reduces the downstream flow of flood water into Butuan City and other population centers. The Marsh supports the largest expanses left in the Philippines of seven habitat types and includes a very large area of swamp forest and a peat swamp forest not found anywhere else in the country. High silt loads caused by deforestation and other activities in the catchment are a continuing problem. The Marsh is sparsely populated because of seasonal flooding, and the population are 1) permanent residents of the Marsh who live in floating houses, 2) people who live within the Marsh in the dry seasons and move to the peripheries during the flood season, and 3) people who live permanently on the peripheries and move into the marsh on a daily basis. Trapping of crocodiles for sale on commercial farms is an important activity. Ramsar site no. 1009. Most recent RIS information: 1999.

Naujan Lake National Park. 12/11/99; Oriental Mindoro; 14,568 ha; 13º10’N 121º11’E. The 5th largest lake in the Philippines (14km by 7km), volcanic in origin, receives water from local run-off with no major effluents. The lake has 14 species of fish, 5 of them migratory, and is an important feeding or wintering area for large numbers of ducks and other waterbirds such as herons, egrets, rails, and bitterns. The rare Plain swamphen (Amaurornis olivaceous) is also found, as well as an endemic species of freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis). Naujan Lake enjoys a humid tropical climate with evenly distributed annual rainfall. Most of the people in the area depend upon the lake for their livelihood, particularly through fishing; the population is composed of the Mangyans, indigenous people of Mindoro including the Tadyawan tribe in the area of the lake, and the "damuong" or non-Mangyans. Fishing is the principle occupation and source of income, but the lake also provides water for drinking, laundry, bathing,and irrigation; moreover, the lake possesses great beauty and has potential for tourism. Ramsar site no. 1008. Most recent RIS information: 1999.

Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. 01/07/94; Cebu; 5,800 ha; 10º16’N 124º03’E. Wildlife Sanctuary; Shorebird Network Site. A low-lying island surrounded by extensive intertidal sandflats, mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs and islets. One of the most important areas in the country for significant numbers of migratory waterbirds, providing habitat for staging, wintering, roosting and feeding birds. Over 10,000 shorebirds have been recorded at one time, with total numbers approaching 50,000. The most important site in the Philippines for the rare waterbird species Asiatic Dowitcher. Inhabitants are dependent on coastal resources: harvesting sea urchins, fish and commercial shells, for their livelihood. Other economic activities include farming corn, cassava and coconut, and raising livestock. Ramsar site no. 656. Most recent RIS information: 1994.

Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park. 12/11/99; Sulu Sea; 33,200 ha; 08º52’N 119º52’E. World Heritage site. Located in the middle of the Central Sulu Sea about 150km southeast of Puerto Princesa City. The Tubbataha reefs are well-known amongst fishermen in the southern Philippines and scuba divers around the world. Considered the largest coral reef atoll in the Philippines, harboring a diversity of marine life equal to or greater than any such area in the world. Some 46 coral genera and more than 300 coral species have been recorded, as well as at least 40 families and 379 species of fish. Sea turtles, sharks, tuna, dolphins, and jackfish are also found in the reefs. No permanent residents are found within the Park, but indigenous inhabitants of Cagayancillo periodically visit the reefs to collect the eggs of nesting birds such as boobies, and scuba diving, snorkeling, and sport fishing are popular activities despite the relative inaccessibility of the area. There has been considerable damage in recent years because of rampant use of destructive fishing using dynamite and cyanide. Ramsar site no. 1010. Most recent RIS information: 1999.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 7 February 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.