MANILA, Philippines – Two wetlands in Mindanao, one in the Caraga region and another in the Zamboanga Peninsula, have been added to the Ramsar Convention’s list of wetlands of international importance.
The inclusion of the two wetlands increased the number of Ramsar sites in Mindanao to 3 and the national total to 10.
The Ramsar Convention, a 1971 international treaty adopted in Ramsar, Iran, seeks to conserve and promote the sustainable use of wetlands worldwide. The treaty encourages countries to protect wetlands vital for biodiversity, climate regulation, and water resources.
The Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve in Zamboanga Sibugay and the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve in Siargao Island are now the country’s 9th and 10th Ramsar sites, respectively, said the nongovernment organization Wetlands International in the Philippines in a statement on Tuesday, December 3.
The initial announcement was made during the just-held 10th Asian Wetland Symposium in Metro Manila from November 25 to 28, days after the Ramsar Convention officially added the Zamboanga Sibugay and Siargao reserves to the List of Wetlands of International Importance.
The symposium, organized by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Ramsar Regional Center-East Asia, and other international groups, stressed the growing urgency of preserving wetland ecosystems as climate change intensifies.
The Zamboanga Sibugay wetland, designated Ramsar Site No. 2552, is a haven for migratory birds. During migration season, from September to March, it provides shelter to a variety of species, including the endangered Far Eastern curlew.
The wetland also hosts marine turtles such as the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle, as well as a significant colony of flying foxes, including the endangered Golden-crowned flying fox.
Meanwhile, the Siagao reserve, designated Ramsar Site No. 2553, spans 4,871 hectares of mangrove forest, covering more than half of Siargao Island’s total mangrove area.
Home to unique species such as the Philippine duck and the Southern rufous hornbill, the mangrove ecosystem also plays a crucial role in protecting the island from coastal erosion and storm surges.
Annadel Cabanban, country manager of Wetlands International Philippines, said, “Wetlands are direly threatened in the Philippines, so this recognition is a step forward in the push to include wetlands at the forefront of our country’s policies.”
The nonprofit organization said the designation of the two wetlands brings the total number of Ramsar sites in the country to 10.
The eight other wetlands on the list are as follows:
Amy Lecciones, executive director of the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, celebrated the announcement “as it accelerates our advocacy to protect these wetlands from the threats surrounding these vulnerable ecosystems.”
Lecciones added, “Wetlands serve both nature and communities, and thus need clear and science-driven policies for their wise use and conservation.” – Rappler.com
