Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve and Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve, the 9th and 10th Ramsar sites in the Philippines listed on the Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. [Photos courtesy of Zamboanga Sibugay and Del Carmen, Siargao LGUs]

Wetlands play a crucial role in protecting diverse ecosystems by providing shelter for migratory birds, fish and amphibians, including endangered and near-threatened species. They also provide essential services for local communities such as flood mitigation, carbon sinks, and water quality maintenance. For agriculture, wetlands ensure fertile lands and reliable water sources for crops.

In the Philippines, the list of Ramsar Sites is growing. Just recently, the Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve (SWNR) and the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve (DCMR) in Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, making them the 9th and 10th Ramsar Sites in the Philippines.

The Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve is an important habitat for thousands of migratory birds during the migratory season. Here, they rest, eat, drink and find safe refuge from predators. Its mudflats serve as a critical stopover for migratory shorebirds within the East Asia Australasian Flyway, including the endangered great knot (Calidris tenuirostris), Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes), and the endemic Philippine duck (Anas luzonica). 

The reserve also hosts nine near-threatened species, namely black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), grey-tailed tattler (Heteroscelus brevipes), Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata), Asiatic dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), red knot (Calidris canutus), red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), and Malaysian plover (Charadrius peronii).

The critically endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), and the vulnerable olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) also find refuge at the SWNR. Two of the world’s largest flying foxes, the Philippine endemic and endangered golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), and the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), use the reserve as roost sites.

Meanwhile, the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve is home to a diverse collection of organisms, including species that are globally threatened or endemic to the Philippines and the Mindanao region. These include the Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) and the southern rufous hornbill (Buceros mindanensis), and the two restricted-range species, namely the Mindanao hornbill (Penelopides affinis) and the yellowish bulbul (Hypsipetes everetti).

The mangroves in DCMR cover approximately 4,871 hectares or 53.24% of Siargao Island's total mangrove forest, providing nearby communities with protection against storm surges. It also supports local livelihood through food production and ecotourism activities.

Del Carmern Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II emphasized that climate action also needs standards of measure to ensure correctness of the initiative and investment. 

“The official declaration of the Del Carmen Mangrove Forest Reserve as the 10th UN Ramsar Site in the Philippines signifies the rightful decisions amidst the sacrifices of Del Carmenons,” he said.

“The Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve will continue to be our source of food, our sheltering from storm surges, our eco-tourism destination and our history,” Coro added.

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that promotes the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands worldwide. Signed in 1971, the Convention designates wetlands as Ramsar sites for their ecological, economic and cultural value. In the face of the escalating climate change and ecological challenges, protecting wetlands has never been more crucial for our climate-resilient and sustainable future.

The Philippines has been on the Ramsar List since 1994, and currently has 10 Ramsar sites, namely: Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu Province (1994); Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro (1999); Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (1999); Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan (1999); Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan (2012); Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (2013); Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area (2016); Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands (2021); Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve (2024); and Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve (2024).

“These Ramsar sites showcase our commitment to the National Adaptation Plan's goal of protecting biodiversity and strengthening ecosystem services. Wetlands play a critical role in our climate resilience strategy by safeguarding communities from disasters and supporting livelihoods. The designation of the Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve and Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve is a significant step toward achieving our adaptation targets,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.