3 PHILIPPINE NATURAL PARKS NOW PART OF ASEAN HERITAGE PARKS

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has welcomed the inclusion of three Philippine natural wonders among the five newest Asean Heritage Parks, as announced by the Asean Center for Biodiversity.
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, and Apo Reef Natural Park are now included in the five newest natural wonders included in the 62-item ASEAN Heritage Parks list (AHP) of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.

Apo Reef Natural Park, the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, and Balinsasayao Twin Lakes have been included in the ASEAN Heritage Parks list (Photo courtesy of Climate Change Commission of the Philippines)
This latest milestone brings the total number of Philippine Asean Heritage Parks to 14, with unique habitats that serve as sanctuaries for endangered species and vital resources for local communities.
The Apo Reef Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro, is the largest contiguous coral reef system in the Philippines and the second-largest in the world stretching over 27,000 hectares in the MIMAROPA region.
It is home to more than 482 fish species and 63 coral genera, along with rare marine invertebrates and iconic species, such as dugongs and whale sharks.
On the other hand, the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary located in the province of Tawi-Tawi, is the "only major nesting habitat" of green sea turtles in Asean and the 11th-largest nesting site globally, plays a pivotal role in conserving this endangered species.
It houses 281 flora species and 414,529 nests of Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles recorded for the past 29 years with an average of 13,817 per year. Various national and international legal frameworks recognized its critical importance for biodiversity conservation, ensuring its long-term protection.
Meanwhile, Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Negros Oriental with its mountainous landscape and diverse ecosystems, serves as the habitat of both endangered and endemic species in the Philippines.
It is also home to 325 fern species, 237 tree species, 27 mammalian fauna, and 209 resident and migrant birds, of which 14 species are globally threatened like the Negros shrew, Visayan spotted deer, Visayan leopard cat, the Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat, the Visayan warty pig, and the Philippine endemic species golden-crowned flying fox.
The Department of Tourism welcomed the latest recognition saying it "underscores the unparalleled natural beauty and ecological significance of these sites, reaffirming the Philippines' leadership in biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism."
Joining the three Philippine national parks are Laos' Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area and Nam Poui National Protected Area.
According to ACB, being part of the network "provides protected areas with opportunities to: share good practices and experiences on protected area management, participate in regional capacity development and awareness-raising activities, engage with potential regional and international conservation partners, and get assistance in enhancing protected area management operations."
Source: GMA Integrated News
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