Mangrove Reserve in Siargao Hailed ‘Wetland of International Importance'
The Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve in Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) was recognized as a Wetland of International Importance during the World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2023 national celebration in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte on February 2, 2023.
The WWD 2023 national celebration was hosted by the Local Government Unit of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte and spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in collaboration with DENR – CARAGA Region, PENRO Surigao del Norte, Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) of Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), USAID-Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) project, DENR-UNDP/GEF Integrated Approach in the Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines (BD Corridor) project, the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC) project and the FPE-UNDP/GEF Seventh Operational Phase of the Small Grants Programme in the Philippines (SGP7) project.
The national recognition of the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve in Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape as a Wetland of International Importance is timely with this year’s “WWD 2023″ theme, “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘞𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.” It also serves as a precursor to the Site’s nomination for inclusion to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance or as a Ramsar Site.
In 2010, the local government of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte made an effort to restore their mangrove forest and save it from illegal activities such as mangrove cutting and poaching. Years later, the area now covers about 53% of Siargao Island’s total mangrove forests and the communities of Del Carmen are reaping the fruits of wetland conservation, protection and restoration work with increased fishery resources, alternative livelihood from tourism and increased protection from storm surge especially during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December 2021.
The celebration also showcased the vast mangrove area of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte with its 1.8 kilometer mangrove boardwalk and the SIPLAS Mangrove View Deck highlighting its beauty. The event concluded with the launching of the viewdeck led by the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) of SIPLAS with PENRO Surigao del Norte and DENR CARAGA Regional Office.
