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STATE OF THE

PROTECTED AREA

Updates and Progress on the Management of the Protected Area in CALABARZON

10th PAMB Summit CY 2025

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

CALABARZON

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25 Declared Protected Areas:

Managed by DENR CALABARZON under the NIPAS Act, as amended by the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018.

Overview of Protected Areas

in CALABARZON

Status under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS)

11 Legislated Protected Areas:

Legally established through Republic Acts, ensuring stricter conservation and sustainable management.

14 Initial Component Protected Areas:

Declared under Presidential Proclamations and Administrative Orders, equally vital for biodiversity conservation.

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    • Mts. Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL)
    • Mts. Palay-Palay–Mataas-na-Gulod Protected Landscape (MPPMNGPL)
    • Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL)
    • Buenavista Protected Landscape (BPL)
    • Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape (MSPL)
    • Quezon Protected Landscape (QPL)
    • Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape (HTPL)
    • Pamitinan Protected Landscape (PPL)
    • Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL)
    • Alibijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape (APLS) – RA 12226, 2025
    • San Francisco Protected Landscape (SFPL) – RA 12229, 2025

11 Legislated PAs

in CALABARZON

Cover approximately 105,874 hectares across mountain ranges, watersheds, and critical terrestrial ecosystems

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14 Intial Component PAs

in CALABARZON

    • UNNAMED NATIONAL PARK, WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND GAME PRESERVE (PP 1636)
    • INFANTA WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (IWFR)
    • POLILLO WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (POWFR)
    • BINAHAAN RIVER WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (BRWFR)
    • CALAUAG WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (CWFR)
    • ALABAT WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (AWFR)
    • MINASAWA ISLAND GAME REFUGE AND BIRD SANCTUARY (MIGRBS)
    • PANUKULAN WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (PAWFR)
    • UMIRAY RIVER WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE (UWFR)
    • KALIWA RIVER FOREST RESERVE (KRFR)
    • PALSABANGON MANGROVE SWAMP FOREST RESERVE (PMSFR)
    • CAGBALETE ISLAND PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE (CIPLS)
    • CATANAUAN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE (CPLS)
    • ALQUEREZ PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE (ALQUEREZPLS)

Account for about 274,682 hectares, including forests, watersheds, mangroves, and biodiversity corridors.

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Key Features of

Protected Areas

Significance of Legislated Protected Areas

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Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL)

Cultural and spiritual heritage site, home to endemic and endangered species.

Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL)

Unique ecosystem with endemic Sardinella tawilis and Taal Lake snake.

Quezon Protected Landscape (QPL)

Vital watersheds, carbon sinks, and ecotourism destinations.

Buenavista Protected Landscape (BPL)

Archaeological site of Mt. Kamhantik and habitat for threatened wildlife.

Significance of Legislated

Protected Areas

Ecological, Cultural, and Historical Importance

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Significance of Intial Component

Protected Areas

Watersheds, Mangroves, and Biodiversity Corridors

Watershed Protection

Sites like Infanta, Polillo, Binahaan, Calauag, Alabat, Umiray, Kaliwa, and Panukulan sustain water supply and protect upland communities.

Mangrove Ecosystems

Palsabangon Mangrove Swamp Forest hosts 48 species of mangroves and associates, providing coastal defense and carbon sequestration.

Island Biodiversity

Minasawa Island supports bird sanctuaries and turtle nesting; Cagbalete and Catanauan sustain coral reefs, seagrass beds, and migratory bird habitats.

Buffer Ecosystems

Alquerez serves as a natural buffer during typhoons, with seagrass and coral ecosystems that enhance ecological resilience.

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Milestones of the NIPAS Era (1992–2017)

Early Years of Protected Area Conservation

    • Formal Establishment: Protected Areas declared under Republic Act 7586 (NIPAS Act of 1992).

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    • Initial Infrastructure: Signage installation, eco-tourism facilities, and boundary demarcations completed.

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    • Biodiversity Monitoring: Early species inventories and ecological assessments conducted across landscapes.

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    • Community Engagement: Partnerships with LGUs, NGOs, and communities initiated to support conservation.

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Milestones of the ENIPAS Era (2018–2025)

Strengthened Protection and Strategic Management

    • Management Plans Updated: Protected Area Management Plans revised to align with ENIPAS and local priorities.

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    • Expanded Biodiversity Monitoring: Increased species assessments, habitat surveys, and conservation interventions.

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    • Reforestation and Restoration: Large-scale reforestation initiatives and ecological rehabilitation projects implemented.

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    • Partnerships Enhanced: Collaboration with LGUs, academe, NGOs, private sector, and communities strengthened.

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Mt. Banahaw–San Cristobal

QR-coded native plant tagging, reforestation projects, and enhanced biodiversity monitoring.

Buenavista Protected Landscape

Heritage preservation of Mt. Kamhantik archaeological site and conservation of limestone forests.

Upper Marikina River Basin

4,000 hectares of reforestation to protect watershed functions and reduce flooding risks.

Hinulugang Taktak

Water quality rehabilitation, visitor facilities upgraded, and eco-tourism revitalized.

Examples of Progress

by Protected Areas

Success Stories Across CALABARZON

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Taal Volcano Protected Landscape

New Legislated

Protected Area

Alibijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape (APLS)

    • Legislated under RA 12226 (2025)
    • Formerly declared as Alibijaban Wilderness Area (AWA, 1981)
    • Expanded coverage: 1,056 ha (472.51 ha land, 583.49 ha marine)
    • One of the richest marine habitats in Ragay Gulf
    • Eco-tourism hotspot: white sand, sandbars, coral reefs
    • Zoned into Strict Protection Zone (SPZ) and Multiple Use Zone (MUZ).

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Taal Volcano Protected Landscape

New Legislated

Protected Area

San Francisco Protected Landscape (SFPL)

    • Legislated under RA 12229 (2025)
    • Formerly the Mulanay Watershed Forest Reserve (MWFR)
    • Coverage: 29.6 ha, with 17.2 ha Strict Protection Zone, 12.4 ha Multiple Use Zone, plus 50m buffer
    • Rich biodiversity: Molave, Dao, Kalantas, Narra, Ipil
    • Wildlife: Luzon Hornbill, Luzon Bleeding Heart, Keelback snake
    • Supports watershed conservation, biodiversity protection, and community development.

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Tenurial Instruments within

Protected Area

    • Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA)

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    • Special Use Agreements in Protected Areas (SAPA)

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    • Survey and Registration of Protected Area Occupants (SRPAO)

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Protected Area Community-Based

Resource Management Agreement

(PACBRMA)

Community Participation in Conservation

Active Agreements

13 active PACBRMAs awarded to farmers, cooperatives, and Indigenous Peoples within protected areas.

Tenure Security

Provides communities with access to land use rights while promoting sustainable practices.

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Special Use Agreements

in Protected Areas (SAPA)

Balancing Development and Conservation

    • Active SAPAs: 6 active agreements in CALABARZON, mostly in UMRBPL, Kaliwa, and PP1636.

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    • Types of Projects: Cover water supply, hydropower generation, and related infrastructure.

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    • Revenue Generation: Provide significant contributions to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF).

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    • Regulatory Oversight: All SAPAs are subject to strict environmental, technical, and legal requirements.

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Survey and Registration of

Protected Area Occupants (SRPAO)

Guiding Policy and Management Decisions

    • Comprehensive Surveys: Conducted across all legislated protected areas to document residents and land use.

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    • Barangay Mapping: Identified barangays and communities within protected area boundaries.

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    • Policy Foundation: Survey results provide basis for zoning, management planning, and tenurial decisions.

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    • Ongoing Monitoring: Regular updates ensure that population changes and land use dynamics are captured.

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Integrated Protected Area Fund

(IPAF)

Financial Performance of Protected Areas

2024 Collections

₱180.3 million generated from entrance fees, user’s fees, SAPA fees, and eco-tourism activities.

2025 First Semester

₱690.96 million already collected, indicating strong growth and improved revenue management.

Highest Revenue

Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape remains the highest revenue generator in the region.

Utilization

Funds allocated to conservation, community development, and eco-tourism enhancement.

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Protected Area

Sustainable Financing

    • Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises (BDFEs): Community-managed enterprises such as handicrafts, eco-tourism services, and sustainable harvesting.

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    • Biodiversity-Friendly Agricultural Practices (BDFAPs): Low-input farming, organic production, and climate-smart techniques that conserve ecosystems.
    • Dual Impact: Supports local livelihoods while reducing pressure on forest and marine resources.

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    • Sustainable Future: Creates long-term financial and ecological resilience for communities within and around PAs.

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Update on Philippine Biodiversity Strategy

and Action Plan (PBSAP) for 2024–2040

    • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework : Supports global biodiversity targets, including the 30x30 conservation goal.

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    • Paris Agreement: Protected areas as carbon sinks contribute to climate mitigation and resilience.

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    • Integration with Local Planning: Mainstreaming biodiversity strategies into provincial and municipal development plans.

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    • SDG Contributions: Directly supports SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Alignment with Global Commitments

    • National Roadmap: PBSAP provides the overarching framework for biodiversity conservation in the Philippines until 2040.

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    • Ecosystem Restoration: Focus on restoring degraded ecosystems, species protection, and enhancing ecological connectivity.

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    • Integration with Local Planning: Mainstreaming biodiversity strategies into provincial and municipal development plans.

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    • SDG Contributions: Directly supports SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Alignment with National Plans

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    • Innovative Governance Model: Transdisciplinary approach integrating environment, development, and community engagement.

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    • Pilot Implementation: Implemented in Rizal Province, combining conservation, resilience, and social inclusion.

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    • National and Global Recognition: Awarded Gold Stevie Award (2024) and Gold Anvil Award (2025) for excellence in public service and communication.

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    • Model for Replication: Serves as a blueprint for scaling sustainable governance across other regions.

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PROJECT

TRANSFORM

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Major Challenges

of Protected Areas

Encroachment and Illegal Activities

Ongoing issues of land conversion, illegal logging, and unregulated development.

Climate Change Impacts

Sea-level rise, extreme weather, and habitat shifts threaten ecosystems and livelihoods.

Resource Limitations

Constraints in funding, manpower, and technical capacity for enforcement and monitoring.

Balancing Needs

Reconciling biodiversity protection with the socio-economic needs of local communities.

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Call to Action

Safeguarding CALABARZON’s Natural Heritage for Future Generations

Protected Areas as Assets

Serve as sanctuaries of biodiversity and engines of sustainable development.

Shared Responsibility

Government, communities, private sector, academe, and NGOs must work together.

Commitment to Innovation

Adopt new approaches, technologies, and partnerships to sustain conservation.

Legacy for the Future

Ensure ecological resilience and prosperity for future generations.

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Thank

You!