Science, Technology and

Society
Protected Areas In The
Philippines
Alabat Watershed Forest Reserve
A tropical rainforest which remains cool and wet for the most part of the year, the AWFR is
considered a tropical rainforest, a site so rich in biodiversity that many dipterocarp species like the
Narra, Apitong, Pili, Dao, Molave, Yakal, Buijo, Bunliw, Tangisang Bayawak and Rattan abound in the 688
hectare Reserve.The AWFR is also home to wildlife such as the Kilyawan, crow, hornbill, monitor lizard,
wild chicken, deer, wild boar and several species of monkeys. Typically, the topography in the area is
moderate to steep, with concentrated drainage toward the Langas River and its tributaries. Its highest
peak is Mt. Kamagong.

Buenavista Protected Landscape

The Buenavista Protected Landscape (BPL), formerly known as the Buenavista
Watershed Forest Reserve is among the major ecotourism draws of the province of Quezon. The
BPL, which was proclaimed by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 294 as a protected
landscape under the NIPAS, spawns 284.27 hectares of land. The area, situated at Barangay
Buenavista, Mulanay, Quezon, is composed of grassland, patches of secondary-growth forest and
coconut land. The areas of the grassland are covered/dominated by Cogon (Imperata cylindrica)
and Talahib (Saccharum spontaneum). Hilly areas are mostly covered with seedlings and
saplings of Kakawate, Ipil-ipil, Hauili and other forestry pioneer species.

Refferences:
https://www.protectedplanet.net/alabat-watershed-forest-reserve
http://portal.calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/ecotourism/Protected_Alabat.html
https://www.protectedplanet.net/buenavista-protected-landscape
http://portal.calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/ecotourism/Protected_Buenavista.html
Aklan River
Aklan River is the longest river in the province of Aklan, Philippines and the third
longest river in Panay Island, with a total length of 71 km. ( 44 mi ), only Panay River in Capiz and Jalaur
River in Iloilo has longer. Aklan River drainage basin is the third largest in Panay. The river source
started in the Central Panay Mountain Range on Mount Baloy in western portion of Capiz on Tapaz area,
and the river travel toward north from Tapaz to the mountainous western portion of Jamindan, Capiz, and
changing its direction toward northeast to the town of Libacao, Aklan. Traverses through to the
municipalities of Madalag, Malinao, Banga, Lezo, Numancia, and Kalibo before emptying to its mouth
into Sibuyan Sea. It is located in the province of Aklan, Western Visayas, Philippines.

Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape

The Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape (MSPL), formerly known as the Maulawin
Spring Watershed Forest Reserve is a 149-hectare protected landscape located in barangays
Himbubulo and Magsaysay in Guinayangan, Quezon. It is a forested area with more than half of
the territory populated with the dipeterocarp species including trees with commercial value such
as Supa, Mangachapoi, Bitaog, Apitong, Lauan, Yakal, Makaasim, Dao, Antipolo, Narra and
Piling Gubat. Non timber species like rattan, wild ferns and orchids also thrive in the area. In
terms of wildlife, the generally humid conditions brought on by rains and nearby Hiwasayan
River and the Maulawin River is conducive to habitats of snakes, reptiles, snakes, reptiles and
various species of birds.

Refferences:
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Aklan_River
https://www.protectedplanet.net/aklan-river-watershed-forest-reserve
https://www.protectedplanet.net/maulawin-spring-protected-landscape
http://portal.calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/ecotourism/Protected_Maulawin.html
Infanta Watershed Forest Reserve
The 384-hectare Infanta Watershed Forest Reserve in barangay Cawayan and barangays
Gumian and Magsaysay, Infanta, Quezon is a tropical rainforest with a bounty of dipterocarp
species like red and white Lauan, Tanguile, Apitong, Malaruhat, Balobo, Rattan and Anabiong.
Local species of wild pig, snakes, deer, lizards, monkeys, bats and kalaw also abound in the area.
Since it is only one kilometer away from the national highway and two kilometers away from
Rizal town proper, it is fairly easy to reach the area using a variety of means -- on horseback, car
or even public transport.

Calauag Watershed Forest Reserve

The Calauag Watershed Forest Reserve was created in 1939 with an area of 328 hectares
in Barangay Yaganak, Calauag, Quezon. The nature reserve is home to a wide range of flora and
fauna of the Philippines.

Refferences:
https://www.protectedplanet.net/infanta-watershed-forest-reserve
http://portal.calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/ecotourism/Protected_Infanta.html
https://www.protectedplanet.net/calauag-watershed-forest-reserve
http://greedypeg.org/quezon/Calauag-Bay-and-Watershed-Forest-Reserve.html
Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park
The Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park is a national park in the Republic of the
Philippines, located in the municipalities of Santa and partly in Narvacan in Ilocos
Sur province. The protected area was established on July 9, 1963 by Proclamation No. 132.
The protected area covers 1,316 hectares (3,250 acres) of beautiful mountain scenery with
elevations up to 465.4 metres (1,527 ft) adjacent to the South China Sea.

Alibijaban Island Wilderness Area

In the town of San Andres, Quezon, surrounded by Ragay Gulf, is Alibijaban Island,
whose wilderness area has been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) as a priority protected area for biodiversity conservation and a key
biodiversity area, being located in the Bondoc Peninsula. With rich soil planted with coconut,
fruit trees and corn with patches of second growth indigenous species, its timberland areas are
covered with at least 22 species of mangrove such as Bakauan Bato, Bakauan Lalaki, Bantingi,
Piagau, Bungalon, Banalo, Busain, Nilad, Pototan lalaki, Malatangal, Tabau, Aroma, Tabigi,
Bani, Tangal, Malubago, Tawalis, Tinduk-tindukan, Pagatpat, Ipil-ipil, Kulasi and Talisay.

Refferences:
https://www.protectedplanet.net/northern-luzon-heroes-hill-national-park
https://www.revolvy.com/page/Northern-Luzon-Heroes-Hill-National-Park
https://www.protectedplanet.net/island-of-alibijaban-wilderness-area
http://portal.calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/ecotourism/Protected_Alibijaban.html
Binahaan River Watershed Forest Reserve (BRWFR)
Only 150 kilometers away from Manila and 2-5 kilometers from Maharlika Highway or
Barangay Binahaan in Pagbilao, Quezon, the Binahaan River Watershed Forest Reserve
(BRWFR) is an excellent spot for outdoor enthusiasts who want to take in the beauty of nature
and the rich biodiversity in the region. The 465-hectare forest reserve proclaimed as a protected
area under Proclamation No. 735 on May 29, 1991 is mainly composed of a lush tropical
rainforest with a list of dipterocarp species a mile long.

Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape

Most Filipino children have probably heard about the Hinulugang Taktak in the song,
Tayo na sa Antipolo, but the majestic waterfall is only part of the reason why tourists flock to the
Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape (formerly the Hinulugang Taktak National Park) in
Antipolo, Rizal. Roughly 29 kilometers away from Manila, the HTPL is only 1.25 kilometers
away from the town proper and very accessible to interested visitors. Present within HTPL are
fabled waterfalls with height of 21.5 m above the water surface and depth of 3.13 m below the
water surface. Also, the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage can be observed within
the vicinity of the protected area. There are swimming pools & picnic areas within the scenic and
beautiful spot of the park for affordable entrance fee.

Refferences:
https://www.protectedplanet.net/hinulugan-taktak-protected-landscape
http://portal.calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/ecotourism/Protected_Taktak.html
https://www.protectedplanet.net/binahaan-river-watershed-forest-reserve
http://portal.calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/ecotourism/Protected_BRWFR.html