Philippines - The
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan and Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife
Sanctuary in Davao Oriental made the list of ASEAN's heritage parks,
said Environment Secretary Ramon Paje
yesterday.
According to
Paje, environment ministers from member
states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations approved the nomination of
Tubbataha and Mt. Hamiguitan as the 34th and 35th ASEAN heritage parks, respectively
during the 15th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment held in
October in Vientiane, Laos.
The Philippines currently holds seven ASEAN heritage parks in the
country which includes Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park
and Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park in Mindanao; the Mts. Iglit-Baco National
Park in Occidental Mindoro, and the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve in Laguna
“The
designation of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife
Sanctuary as regional heritage parks is long overdue, both having been named
earlier as UNESCO World Heritage sites,” Paje said.
“This latest recognition indicates that the natural
characteristics of both Tubbataha park and Mt. Hamiguitan sanctuary are so
exceptional they deserve to be protected for the benefit of everyone in Southeast
Asia,” he added.
Source: Yahoo Philippines
It's great to hear that two new parks made the list of ASEAN heritage parks. It brings joy to me that these two are from the Philippines. I hope to see more parks from other ASEAN countries making the list as well. Move forward, ASEAN!
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