PBBM declares new protected area in Quezon, reinforcing conservation efforts

By Nimfa L. Estrellado President Marcos Jr. signs RA 12229, establishing a 29.6-hectare protected area in Quezon to conserve its biological ...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

President Marcos Jr. signs RA 12229, establishing a 29.6-hectare protected area in Quezon to conserve its biological resources and promote environmental protection. (Official Gazette)

SAN FRANCISCO, Quezon - A critical 29.6-hectare land in San Francisco, Quezon, has been officially designated as a protected landscape, marking a new chapter for the Mulanay Watershed Forest Reserve under a new law signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

This action recognizes the area's rich biological resources and its ecological importance, as it provides a habitat for various wildlife, including threatened flora and fauna species. The new protected landscape, which will be classified as a national park, aims to ensure the conservation, protection, management, and rehabilitation of the area.



The law emphasizes the importance of cooperation among the national government, local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private entities, and local communities for effective administration. To oversee and manage the SFPL, RA 12229 creates a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

A Protected Management Office (PAMO) has been established to handle the day-to-day operations, protection, and administration of the new protected landscape, led by a Protected Area Superintendent. A trust fund will also be created to finance projects and sustain the SFPL's operations, with the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) retaining 75 percent of all revenues raised.

In Quezon province, beyond the newly designated San Francisco Protected Landscape (SFPL), there are several other notable protected areas. The Quezon Protected Landscape, which spans the municipalities of Pagbilao, Padre Burgos, and Atimonan, was originally established as a national park in 1934.

It is now known for its lowland rainforest, karst landscape, and scenic attractions such as waterfalls and caves. Another area is the Buenavista Protected Landscape in Mulanay, which serves as a crucial watershed and an archaeological site where ancient limestone tombs have been discovered.

The Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape in Guinayangan is an important protected area, serving as the primary source of potable water for the municipality. The Mounts Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape, which spans parts of both Quezon and Laguna provinces, is also recognized for its role as a major watershed and its cultural importance.

In another recent development, President Marcos also signed a law declaring the Alibijaban Wilderness Area in San Andres, Quezon, as a protected landscape and seascape. The law aims to protect the unique ecosystem of Alibijaban Island, which is a home to a wide variety of species, including 26 mangrove species and several marine turtles such as the Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill.