National Parks of the Philippines

By Alberto Quintero

The Philippine government put into action an act of law enforcement and proper education to relieve the devastated natural resources of its national heritage. Conservation programs for the endangered and exotic species that are left in their receding rainforests were quickly enacted. Several species are among those that are being looked after: Philippine eagles, marine turtles, Tamaraws (dwarf water buffalo), Philippine crocodiles, Philippine deer, and sea cow. Awareness spread like wild fire among the people as they realized there was great need to conserve our natural resources. Originally there was no ban on log exportation, but now it is prohibited since most exotic species live in the areas where they were logging. Ever since the enactment preserving the natural resources the natural parks have thrived with visitors coming to see the plants, animals, and marine species that they feature. Here’s a list of the best parks in the Philippines:

• Apo Reef, Occidental Mindoro –easily reached from west of Sablayan and the northeast of Calamian group in Palawan. This is the perfect destination for those looking for an environmental tour with its wide array of marine and national park habitats. This park is invaluable for scientific studies.  There are abundant species of plants and animals that can be seen on the coral reefs, beach forests, sandy beaches, algae flat, mangroves and sea grass of the reef. The terrain underwater plays host to distinctive coral walls, drop offs and caves. These locations are home to sharks, mantas, school of jacks and snappers, and groups of tropical fish and even more marine species. On land the island is a nesting ground for abundant species of migratory and resident birds for breeding, and is a rich territory of endemic plant and wildlife species like sea turtles, sea grass, algae, and Nicobar pigeons.
• Bulusan Volcano, Sorsogon –is a sleeping volcano in Sorsogon, and home to some impressive plant and animal species in the country.
• Coron Island, Palawan –Striking cliffs, sheltered lakes and unexplored rainforests cover Palawan Island. In these lush habitats is a wealth of wildlife and marine life, including the Tagbanua tribe, Coron’s indigenous community, that inhabit the interiors of the mountains mostly.
• El Nido Marine Reserve, Palawan –Soaring limestone cliffs and powder white sand beaches in this reserve have made it a popular tourist destination.
• Lake Danao, Western Leyte –is known as a “hunter’s paradise” that is nestled in the heart of the dense forested hills of Ormoc City. This lake is 3 km long and has an elevation of 1600 meters, and is the home to wild animals; the giant eel is known to live here.
• Lake Mahagnao, Leyte –is a popular place for environmental tours and camping with its profuse wildlife. This unspoiled lake is ringed by uplifting sights of lilies, ferns, aerial plants, tropical shrubs, and numerous birds that reside through the primary forest surrounding the mountains of Leyte. Hikers love the river system that comes through Mahagnao and does down to stimulating waterfalls. If you can’t take it all in on one trip you can stay overnight at the resthuts on the shore of the lake, they can accommodate 30-40 campers.
• Mt. Apo National Park, Mindanao –Mt. Apo is a dormant volcano and is the Philippines highest mountain at 2,954 meters. This is a known habitat of the Philippines’ national bird, Philippine Eagle, on its wooded slopes that are now protected for the conservation of the Eagle.
• Mt. Arayat, Central Luzon –Mt. Arayat is another dormant volcano and mountain that gives shelter to a range of wild animals. At the foot of the mountain there is a picnic area that is encircled by waterfalls and various species of plant life.
• Mt. Guiting-Guiting, Romblon –is one of several isolated locations, but Mt. Guiting-Guiting’s size is remarkable and has protected some of the rarest species of wild animals and trees; large monkeys, over a hundred species of birds, and fruit bats.
• Mt. Iglit-Baco, Mindoro –is the mountain where the endangered Tamaraw (dwarf wild water buffalo) is found and protected. There has been a drastic reduction of grasslands (the habitat of the Tamaraw) due to substantial and destructive farming in the area. This large growth of farming has also been pushing the Magyan tribe (native tibe) off of their traditional lands.
• Mt. Isarog –is located in the Camarines Sur, Bicol and is the region’s second highest volcano at 1,966 meters. This dormant volcano is dormant and home to some extremely rare plant and animal species in the country. In the interiors of the mountain the Agta tribe has called it home for centuries and is known as one of the country’s earliest settlers.
• Mt. Kanlaon, Negros –is found in the central highlands of Negros and is home to a range of species of lichens, orchids, and ferns, as well as various species of tropical birds. Along with these are hundreds of endemic species of bleeding heart pigeons and the Negros Fruit Doves that are nearing extinction.
• Mt. Mayon, Albay –possesses a regal height and the closest to perfect cone for a volcano that is known for its frequent eruptions.
• Mt. Pulag, Mountain Province –Mountaineering groups consider this mountain the destination to go to for its grass covered slopes and easy trails. Bordering the provinces of Ifugao, Beguet and Nueva Viscaya meet at Mt. Pulag’s summits makes for a spectacular view of each province and is the second highest peak in the Philippines. Giant busy tailed could rats, Philippine deer, long haired fruit bats, wild species of birds, the benguet pine, dwarf bamboo, and other endemic species find this mountain a natural habitat.
• Palanan Wilderness, Northeast Luzon –takes in 200,000 ha. of virgin forest, showing 10% of the country’s protected woodlands. The wilderness gives shelter to more than 200 species of birds including the Philippine Eagle. Along the Sierra Madre lies a small community of the Dumagat tribe that make their living logging. In the same area the Negritos have settled there and call it home.
• Sohoton Natural Bridge, Samar –is located at the southern tip of Samar Island and features a natural stone bridge that was discovered protecting caves and rainforests. Sohoton Natural Bridge Park has recently been considered a tourists attraction. The bridge is a naturally-carved structure made-up of limestone pillars spanning two mountains and beneath it is a river flowing towards spectacular waterfalls. Dazzling rock formations individually designed by nature are found inside the Sohoton Cave.
• St. Paul Subterranean, Palawan –is the longest underground river in the world that features the cathedral-like caverns and domes, and stalactite and stalagmites resembling familiar images. This park is found 81 km north of Puerto Princesa City that has sheer mountains of marble and limestone. Surrounding everything is tropical rainforest. The area was confirmed a national park in 1971, and has become the pride of Puerto Princesa for a bird-watching destination. A few of Palawan’s endemic birds, the Palawan Pheasant Peacock and Philippine Cockatoo, have been found to call this park home.
• Turtle Islands –This is a group of small islands: Baguan, Tagnak, Great Bakkungan, Langaan, Lihiman, and Boan. Turtle Islands are located to the northeast of Sabah Malaysia, southwertern tip of the Philippine in the mid of Palawan and Tawi-Tawi mainland. Primarily these islands are the nesting ground for sea turtles (Erethmochelys Imbricata and Chelonia mydas) and Monitor lizards. The Malay Box Turtle has never been seen at other islands visit Great Bakkugan Island. It is well known that sea snakes and terrestrial snakes are also found on Great Bakkungan Island.
• Twin Lakes, Southern Negros –Twin Lakes is made up of Lake Danao and Lake Balinsasayao and are two deep crater lakes that are divided by a slim ridge and surrounding verdant fauna and flora. Visitors have been known to enjoy the scenic sights paddling through the lakes and fishing for dinner enjoying the extraordinary experience. For a bird’s eye view visitors can view the lakes as they hike the slopes of the surrounding mountains.