FAST FACTS

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Location: About 130 km south of Manila Area: 24,785 hectares Population (as of 2015): 36,606 Year declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve: 1977 Tourist arrivals in 2017: 265,962 Most visited areas: Tamaraw Falls, Sabang Beach, Small La Laguna

Diving Sites: Over 40 sites, making the place one of the most famous coral-reef diving sites in the Philippines

El Nido, Palawan

Location: 230.5 kmnorth of Puerto Princesa City Area: 92,326 hectares 2018 budget of local gov’t to fund urban master plan and to address env’t concerns: P5.5M

Tourist arrivals in 2017: 200,000

Most visited areas: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Beach

Limit of visit under new policy: Big Lagoon (60 at any given time or at most 720 per day); Small Lagoon (30 at a time or 360 per day) and Secret Beach (12 at a time or 144 per day)

Limit on number of conveyances: Big Lagoon (at most five boats in anchorage area and 30 kayaks inside lagoon); Small Lagoon (15 kayaks); and Secret Beach (two boats in anchorage area) Prohibited activities in the three areas: fishing, cliff jumping, grilling of food and playing of loud music

Areas closed to human activities, except for scientific research and ceremonial use by indigenous communities: Helicopter Island, Balinaud Beach, Turtle Island and Pacanayan Island