DENR: Protect wetland areas in Central Luzon

MABALACAT CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has urged the public to protect wetland areas in the region which serve as habitat of migratory birds from other countries during the period of October to March.

In a press statement, DENR Central Luzon director Francisco Milla said wetlands are critical parts of the natural environment and ecological system.

These areas include Angat Dam in Bulacan, Pantabangan and Paitan Lake in Nueva Ecija, Puerto Rivas in Bataan, Uacon Lake in Zambales, Canarem Lake in Tarlac and Candaba Swamp in Pampanga.

“Wetlands provide countless ecosystem services and benefits to local community, ranging from freshwater supply, food, biodiversity, and serve as flood

control, groundwater recharge, and for climate change mitigation,” Milla said.

Migratory birds from as far as China, Korean, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are frequent visitors of the region’s rich wetland areas particularly the 32,000-hectare Candaba swamp.

These areas serve as a wintering refuge, feeding and breeding area to escape cold climate, according to the DENR regional director.

“Candaba Swamp has been identified as one of the three “most important wetlands” in the Philippines and has consistently been listed in the Asian Bird Map as an essential wintering area for migratory birds,” he pointed out.

In the recent Asian Water Birds Census, DENR conservation experts deployed in the Candaba swamp and in Puerto Rivas wetland in Balanga City reported to have sighted some 14,000 migratory birds.

The birds belong to the families of grebes, herons and egrets, rails, gallinules, coots, fin foot, jacanas, shorebirds-waders, gulls, terns, skimmers, king fisher, sparrow, and other water birds.

Milla said various offices of the DENR in the region have embarked on massive information campaign and cleanup activities to raise the awareness of the public about wetlands and migratory birds.

World Wetland Day (WWD) is celebrated every February 2, marking the date of adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The convention was named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where it was adopted.

The first WWD was first celebrated in 1997 to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet, and has grown remarkably since then. In 2016, WWD was celebrated in at least 59 countries.

This year’s theme is “Wetlands for Sustainable Urban Future – Making Urban Cities Livable underscores the importance of wetland area to achieve a sustainable and liveable future for the present and future generation.”