THE Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) is included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
LPPCHEA is the sixth Philippine site designated as “Wetlands of International Importance.” It serves as a sanctuary to migratory bird species from as far as Siberia.
According to the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, Metro Manila has 150 species of birds, 72 of which are found at LPPCHEA. It is the only bird sanctuary located in an urban setting, and it is considered as the “last bastion.”
The others on the Ramsar list are: the Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park in Sulu (listed on December 11, 1999); the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (listed on December 11, 1999); the Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro (listed on December 11, 1999); the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu (listed on January 7, 1994); and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan (listed on June 30, 2012).
The Philippines joined the Ramsar Convention in 1994. Signatories to join the Convention agree to "include wetland conservation considerations in their national land-use planning," and commit to implement and promote "the wise use of wetlands in their territory."
The Convention on Wetlands -- signed in Ramsar, Iran on 1971 -- is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the sustainable use of all of the wetlands in their territories.
“The inclusion of LPPCHEA on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance is very good news indeed. We should be proud of the recognition, and at the same time, we are encouraged even more to protect it," said Villar.
Former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar, a senatorial candidate, opposed the planned 635.14-hectare Manila Bay reclamation project that will also affect LPPCHEA.
She filed a petition for Writ of Kalikasan on March 16 against the said project, which the Supreme Court granted on April 10 last year. The writ was issued but not a temporary environmental protection order (TEPO) —without this, the contractor can still proceed with the projects.
A series of hearings, which wrapped up only a few weeks ago, was held at the Court of Appeals. Villar herself took the court stand on October 12 as petitioner and witness.
Villar’s group is aiming for the issuance of a permanent environmental protection order, so that the reclamation project will be junked.