List of protected areas of the Philippines

The Philippine Archipelago.

This is a list of protected areas of the Philippines administered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Biodiversity Management Bureau under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. As of 2012, there are 240 protected areas in the Philippines covering a total area of 35,700 square kilometers – 11.9% of the Philippines' total land area.[1]

History

The first important legislation that formed the basis of the current system of national parks and protected areas in the Philippines is the Philippine Commission Act No. 648 enacted in 1903 by the US Congress. This act authorized the Civil Governor to "reserve for civil public purposes, and from sale or settlement, any part of the public domain not appropriated by law for special public purposes." [2]

A total of eight national reserves had been established in July 26, 1904 pursuant to this law. These are: Lamao Forest Reserve in Bataan, Mariquina Reserve in Rizal, Angat River Reserve in Bulacan, Caliraya Falls Reserve in Laguna, La Carlota Reserve in Negros Occidental, San Ramon Reserve in Zamboanga, Magalang Reserve in Pampanga, and Hacienda San Antonio in Isabela.[3] In the same year, the Forest Act of 1904 (Act No. 1148) was adopted that expanded the scope of protected areas in the Philippines.[4] Among the first of such mountain forest reserves to be declared was Mount Maquiling declared in November 21, 1910.[5]

On February 1, 1932, the National Parks Act (Act No. 3195) was enacted that formally established the national parks system in the country.[6] Mount Arayat became the first national park in the Philippines established in June 27, 1933 following this act.

A series of acts and legislations were passed in the next decades that aimed to further strengthen these policies, including the Revised Forestry Code of 1975 (Presidential Decree No. 705) and Forest Administrative Order No. 7. Following the 1987 Constitution, the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act was enacted which further enhanced the administration and classification of protected areas, and broadened the mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in enforcing its provisions.

Classification

Protected areas in the Philippines are managed according to the following classifications described in Section 4 of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS Act).

National Parks

National parks refer to forest reservations essentially of natural wilderness character which have been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas.

Natural Parks

Natural parks are relatively large areas not materially altered by human activity where extractive resource uses are not allowed and maintained to protect outstanding natural and scenic areas of national or international significance for scientific, educational and recreational use.

  World Heritage Site or part of a World Heritage Site
Name Location Area Established
Apo Reef Mindoro Occidental 15,792 ha
39,023 acres
1996
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Negros Oriental 8,016.05 ha
19,808 acres
2000
Bicol Camarines Norte-Camarines Sur 5,201 ha
12,850 acres
2000
Bongsanglay Masbate 244.72 ha
605 acres
2000
Bulusan Volcano Sorsogon 3,672 ha
9,074 acres
2000
Kalbario-Patapat Ilocos Norte 3,800 ha
9,390 acres
2007
Lake Danao Leyte 2,193 ha
5,419 acres
1998
Mahagnao Volcano Leyte 635 ha
1,569 acres
1998
Mayon Volcano Albay 5,775.70 ha
14,272 acres
2000
Mount Apo Davao del Sur-Cotabato 3,632.74 ha
8,977 acres
2007
Mount Balatukan Range Misamis Oriental 8,423 ha
20,814 acres
2007
Mount Guiting-Guiting Romblon 15,265.48 ha
37,722 acres
1996
Mount Inayawan Range Lanao del Norte 3,632.74 ha
8,977 acres
2007
Mount Isarog Camarines Sur 10,112.35 ha
24,988 acres
2002
Mount Kalatungan Range Bukidnon 21,247.73 ha
52,504 acres
2000
Mount Kanlaon Negros Occidental-Negros Oriental 24,388 ha
60,264 acres
1997
Mount Kitanglad Range Bukidnon 31,235.19 ha
77,184 acres
1996
Mount Malindang Misamis Occidental 34,694 ha
85,731 acres
2002
Northern Negros Negros Occidental 80,454.50 ha
198,807 acres
2002
Northern Sierra Madre Isabela 359,486 ha
888,309 acres
1997
Northwest Panay Peninsula Aklan-Antique 12,009.29 ha
29,676 acres
2002
Pasonanca Zamboanga del Sur 12,107 ha
29,917 acres
1999
Samar Island Eastern Visayas 333,300 ha
823,602 acres
2003
Sibalom Antique 5,511.47 ha
13,619 acres
2000
Tubbataha Reef Palawan 97,030 ha
239,766 acres
2010

Natural Monuments

A natural monument is a relatively small area focused on protection of small features to protect or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special interest or unique characteristics.

Name Location Area Established
Bessang Pass Ilocos Sur 693.32 ha
1,713 acres
2000
Chocolate Hills Bohol 14,145 ha
34,953 acres
1997
Salinas Nueva Vizcaya 6,675.56 ha
16,496 acres
2000
Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Camiguin 2,227.62 ha
5,505 acres
2004

Protected Landscape

Protected landscapes/seascapes are areas of national significance which are characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic activity of these areas.

Name Location Area Established
Aliwagwag Davao Oriental-Compostela Valley 10,491.33 ha
25,925 acres
2011
Amro River Aurora 6,471.08 ha
15,990 acres
2000
Baganga Davao Oriental 114.88 ha
284 acres
2000
Bigbiga Ilocos Sur 135.71 ha
335 acres
2000
Buenavista Quezon 284.27 ha
702 acres
2000
Calbayog-Pan-as-Hayiban Samar 7,832 ha
19,353 acres
1998
Casecnan Cagayan Valley-Aurora 88,846.80 ha
219,545 acres
2000
Central Cebu Cebu 29,062 ha
71,814 acres
2003
Dinadiawan River Aurora 3,371.33 ha
8,331 acres
2000
Hinulugang Taktak Rizal 3.20 ha
8 acres
2000
José Rizal Memorial Zamboanga del Norte 439 ha
1,085 acres
2000
Libunao Ilocos Sur 46.70 ha
115 acres
2000
Lidlidda Ilocos Sur 1,157.44 ha
2,860 acres
2000
Magapit Cagayan 3,403.62 ha
8,411 acres
2000
Mainit Hot Springs Compostela Valley 1,374 ha
3,395 acres
2000
Manleluag Spring Pangasinan 1,935.17 ha
4,782 acres
2004
Mati Davao Oriental 914.26 ha
2,259 acres
2005
Maulawin Spring Quezon 149.01 ha
368 acres
2000
Mimbilisan Misamis Oriental 66 ha
163 acres
1999
Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal Quezon-Laguna 10,900.59 ha
26,936 acres
2009
Mount Mantalingajan Palawan 120,457 ha
297,656 acres
2009
Mount Matutum South Cotabato 15,600 ha
38,548 acres
1995
Mounts Palay-Palay–Mataas-na-Gulod Cavite-Batangas 3,973.13 ha
9,818 acres
2007
Mount Timolan Zamboanga del Sur 1,994.80 ha
4,929 acres
2000
Pamitinan Rizal 600 ha
1,483 acres
1996
Quezon Quezon 938 ha
2,318 acres
2003
Quirino Quirino 164,364.46 ha
406,153 acres
2005
Rajah Sikatuna Bohol 10,452.60 ha
25,829 acres
2000
Roosevelt Bataan 786.04 ha
1,942 acres
2000
Santa Lucia Ilocos Sur 174.16 ha
430 acres
2000
Simbahan-Talagas Aurora 2,266.49 ha
5,601 acres
2000
Taal Volcano Batangas 62,292.14 ha
153,927 acres
1996
Talaytay Aurora 3,526.29 ha
8,714 acres
2000
Upper Marikina River Basin Rizal 26,125.64 ha
64,558 acres
2011

Protected Landscape and Seascape

Name Location Area Established
Agoo-Damortis La Union 10,513.30 ha
25,979 acres
2000
Alburquerque-Loay-Loboc Bohol 1,164.16 ha
2,877 acres
1999
Aliguay Island Zamboanga del Norte 1,191.89 ha
2,945 acres
1999
Apo Island Negros Oriental 691.45 ha
1,709 acres
1994
Baliangao Misamis Occidental 295 ha
729 acres
2000
Batanes Batanes 213,578 ha
527,763 acres
1994
Biri Larosa Northern Samar 33,492 ha
82,761 acres
2000
Cuatro Islas Leyte 12,500 ha
30,888 acres
2000
Dumanquilas Zamboanga del Sur 25,948 ha
64,119 acres
1999
Great and Little Santa Cruz Islands Zamboanga del Sur 1,877 ha
4,638 acres
2000
Guiuan Eastern Samar 60,448 ha
149,370 acres
1994
Initao-Libertad Misamis Oriental 800.45 ha
1,978 acres
2002
Mabini Compostela Valley 6,106 ha
15,088 acres
2000
Malabungot Camarines Sur 120.62 ha
298 acres
2000
Malampaya Palawan 200,115 ha
494,495 acres
2000
Murcielagos Island Zamboanga del Norte 151 ha
373 acres
2000
Peñablanca Cagayan 118,781.58 ha
293,516 acres
2003
Pujada Bay Davao Oriental 21,200 ha
52,386 acres
1994
Selinog Island Zamboanga del Norte 1,294.35 ha
3,198 acres
2000
Siargao Island Surigao del Norte 278,914.13 ha
689,212 acres
1996
Talibon Islands Bohol 6,456.87 ha
15,955 acres
1999

Protected Seascape

Name Location Area Established
Panglao Island Bohol 385.67 ha
953 acres
2003
Sarangani Bay Sarangani 215,950 ha
533,624 acres
1996
Tañon Strait Cebu-Negros Oriental 450 ha
1,112 acres
1998

Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuaries

Strict nature reserve is an area possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features and/or species of flora and fauna of national scientific importance maintained to protect nature and maintain processes in an undisturbed state in order to have ecologically representative examples of the natural environment available for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state.

Olango Island Bird Sanctuary
Name Location Area Established
Calauit Safari Park Palawan 3,400 ha
8,402 acres
1976
Calavite and FB Harrison Mindoro Occidental 121,983.81 ha
301,429 acres
1920
Lake Buluan Cotabato 6,300 ha
15,568 acres
2006
Lake Malimanga Zambales 12.35 ha
31 acres
1980
Olango Island Cebu 920 ha
2,273 acres
1992
Palawan Palawan 761,416 ha
1,881,500 acres
1967

Resource Reserves

Resource reserve is an extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited area normally with difficult access designated as such to protect natural resources of the area for future use and prevent or contain development activities that could affect the resource pending the establishment of objectives which are based upon appropriate knowledge and planning.

Name Location Area Established
Siocon Zamboanga del Norte 793.74 ha
1,961 acres
1999
Upper Agno River Basin Cordillera-Nueva Vizcaya 77,561 ha
191,657 acres
2000

Managed Resource Protected Areas

Name Location Area Established
El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area Palawan 89,134.76 ha
220,257 acres
1998

Marine Reserves

Name Location Area Established
Masinloc and Oyon Bay Zambales 7,568 ha
18,701 acres
1993
Palaui Island Cagayan 7,415.48 ha
18,324 acres
1994
Sagay Negros Occidental 32,000 ha
79,074 acres
2001
Taklong Island Guimaras 1,143.45 ha
2,826 acres
1990

Watershed Forest Reserves

Name Location Area Established
Aklan River Aklan 23,185 ha
57,291 acres
1990
Alabat Quezon 688 ha
1,700 acres
1987
Alijawan-Cansuhay-Anibongan River Bohol 3,630 ha
8,970 acres
1992
Allah South Cotabato 92,450 ha
228,449 acres
1985
Angat River Bulacan 6,600 ha
16,309 acres
1968
Aurora Aurora 430 ha
1,063 acres
1936
Bawa Cagayan 8,955 ha
22,128 acres
1987
Binahaan River Quezon 465 ha
1,149 acres
1991
Calabgan Aurora 4,803 ha
11,868 acres
1992
Calatrava-San Andres-San Agustin Romblon 2,670 ha
6,598 acres
1982
Calauag Quezon 328 ha
811 acres
1939
Capalonga Camarines Norte 752 ha
1,858 acres
1966
Catanduanes Catanduanes 26,010 ha
64,272 acres
1987
Dahican Camarines Norte 44 ha
109 acres
1933
Dalanas River Antique 8,558 ha
21,147 acres
1990
Dibalo-Pingit-Zabali-Malayat Aurora 4,528 ha
11,189 acres
1992
Dipaculao Aurora 1,786 ha
4,413 acres
1987
Doña Remedios-General Tinio Bulacan-Nueva Ecija 20,760 ha
51,299 acres
1988
Dupax Nueva Vizcaya 424.80 ha
1,050 acres
1934
Ilocos Norte Metro Ilocos Norte 2,815 ha
6,956 acres
1934
Ilog-Hilabangan Negros Occidental 10,211 ha
25,232 acres
1990
Infanta Quezon 384 ha
949 acres
1967
Jalaur River Iloilo 9,228 ha
22,803 acres
1990
Kabankalan Negros Occidental 432 ha
1,067 acres
1991
Lake Lanao Lanao del Sur 180,460 ha
445,926 acres
1992
Libungan Cotabato 52,820 ha
130,521 acres
1990
Loboc River Bohol 19,410 ha
47,963 acres
1953
Lopez Quezon 418 ha
1,033 acres
1940
Lower Agno Benguet 39,304 ha
97,122 acres
1983
Maasin Iloilo 6,150 ha
15,197 acres
1923
Mahugunao Misamis Oriental 136 ha
336 acres
1932
Malagos Davao del Sur 235 ha
581 acres
1933
Marcos Highway Benguet 6,105 ha
15,086 acres
1978
Mariveles (Palanas) Bataan 325 ha
803 acres
1919
Mulanay Quezon 26 ha
64 acres
1938
Naguilian La Union 90 ha
222 acres
1936
Olongapo (Palanas) Zambales 6,335 ha
15,654 acres
1987
Palawan Palawan 4,776 ha
11,802 acres
1982
Palompon Leyte 2,392 ha
5,911 acres
1988
Panay River Capiz 4,350 ha
10,749 acres
1990
Pantabangan-Carranglan Nueva Ecija 84,500 ha
208,804 acres
1969
Polillo Quezon 130 ha
321 acres
1966
Santa Ilocos Sur 25 ha
62 acres
1935
South Upi Maguindanao 1,894.20 ha
4,681 acres
1987
Talavera Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya 37,156 ha
91,814 acres
1938
Tanap Ilocos Norte 41 ha
101 acres
1971
Tibiang-Damagandong Quezon 280 ha
692 acres
1938
Torrijos Marinduque 105 ha
259 acres
1932
Tumauini Isabela 17,670 ha
43,664 acres
1994
Wangag Cagayan 6,992 ha
17,278 acres
1987

Natural Biotic Areas

Natural biotic area is an area set aside to allow the way of life of societies living in harmony with the environment to adapt to modem technology at their pace.

Name Location Area Established
Abasig-Matogdon-Mananap Camarines Norte 5,420.12 ha
13,393 acres
2000
Basilan Basilan 4,497 ha
11,112 acres
2000
Buug Zamboanga del Sur 1,095 ha
2,706 acres
1998
Lagonoy Camarines Sur 444.60 ha
1,099 acres
2000

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Wildlife sanctuary comprises an area which assures the natural conditions necessary to protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or physical features of the environment where these may require specific human manipulation for the perpetuation.

  World Heritage Site or part of a World Heritage Site
Name Location Area Established
Agusan Marsh Agusan del Sur 14,835.99 ha
36,661 acres
1996
Chico Island Masbate 7.77 ha
19 acres
2000
Marinduque Marinduque 8,827.96 ha
21,814 acres
2004
Mount Calavite Mindoro Occidental 18,016.19 ha
44,519 acres
2000
Mount Hamiguitan Range Davao Oriental 6,834 ha
16,887 acres
2004
Naro Island Masbate 109.98 ha
272 acres
2000
Rasa Island Palawan 1,983 ha
4,900 acres
2006
Turtle Islands Tawi-Tawi 242,967 ha
600,385 acres
1999

Wilderness Areas

Name Location Area Established
Alibijaban Island Quezon 430 ha
1,063 acres
1981
Awasan Bay Islands Surigao del Norte 1981
Bantayan Island Cebu 1981
Basot-Quinalang-Malabungot Islands Camarines Sur 185.38 ha
458 acres
1981
Caniago Strait Islands Bohol 210 ha
519 acres
1981
Cebu Strait Islands Bohol 34 ha
84 acres
1981
Dampalit Island Masbate 1981
Guinauyan-Naro-Chico-Pobre Islands Masbate 23.25 ha
57 acres
1981
Isabela
Monte Alto Timber Resource Corp.
Isabela 1,985 ha
4,905 acres
1987
Majaba-Napayuan Islands Masbate 18 ha
44 acres
1981
Panag Bay Islands Surigao del Norte 1981
Rasa Island Surigao del Norte 1981

See also

References

  1. "Establishing and Managing Protected Areas". DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  2. "Act No. 648". PhilippineLaw.info. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  3. "Executive orders and proclamations issued by the governor-general. (1904)". University of Michigan Library. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  4. "Act No. 1148". Chan Robles. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  5. "Mount Makiling marks centennial". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  6. "Act No. 3915 - National Parks Act of 1932". Chan Robles. Retrieved 18 June 2012.

External links

Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park Official Site

Wikimedia Commons has media related to National parks of the Philippines.