E-NIPAS law to protect 94 more critical habitats

MANILA, Philippines — The enactment of the expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) into law will protect 94 more critical habitats nationwide, including the lone protected area inside Metro Manila, Sen. Cynthia Villar said yesterday.

Villar, chair of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, was principal sponsor of Republic Act 11038 or the law expanding the National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) that President Duterte signed into law last June 22.

She said among those to be protected by the new statute is the Ramsar Convention site, Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, and other popular tourist destinations.

“We are very happy to come up with this legislation ensuring protection for more areas in our megadiverse country. This legislation is timely, given the heightened public clamor to protect and rehabilitate our popular tourist spots,” Villar said.

She said aside from the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, new areas placed under government’s protection include two other Ramsar sites: Agusan Marsh (Agusan del Sur) and Olango Island (Cebu).

Also protected now as national parks are popular tourist spots in the country including Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island in Bohol, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Mt. Mayon in Albay, Taal Volcano in Batangas, Hinulugang Tak-tak in Rizal, and Palaui Island in Cagayan.

Internationally recognized areas are also included, namely, the ASEAN Heritage Sites Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok (Camiguin) and Mount Iglit-Baco (Mindoro); and Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (Tawi-Tawi).

“The Philippines’ rich biodiversity is a source of pride and joy for all of us Filipinos. We actively protect and strongly defend the breadth and depth of our territories to ensure that the future generation of Filipinos will still have the opportunity to take pride and find joy in our country’s rich biodiversity,” Villar said.

The law, which amends Republic Act 7586, increases the number of protected areas covered by legislation from 13 to 107, for a total of three million hectares.