List of protected areas of the Philippines
(Redirected from National Integrated Protected Areas System)
This article is missing information about the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (E-NIPAS Law). (January 2023) |
Map of the Philippine archipelago
In the Philippines, protected areas are administered by the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.
As of 2020, there are 244 protected areas in the Philippines, covering a total area of about 7,760,000 hectares (19,200,000 acres) – 15.4% of the Philippines' total area.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]The first important legislation that formed the basis of the current system of national parks and protected areas in the Philippines is Act No. 648, enacted in 1903 by the Philippine Commission. This act authorized the civil governor to "reserve for civil public purposes, and from sale or settlement, any part of the public domain not appropriated by law for special public purposes."[2]
A total of eight national reserves had been established on July 26, 1904, pursuant to this law. These are the Lamao Forest Reserve in Bataan, Mariquina Reserve in Rizal, Angat River Reserve in Bulacan, Caliraya Falls Reserve in Laguna, La Carlota Reserve in Negros Occidental, San Ramon Reserve in Zamboanga, Magalang Reserve in Pampanga, and Hacienda San Antonio in Isabela.[3] In the same year, the Forest Act of 1904 (Act No. 1148) was adopted that expanded the scope of protected areas in the Philippines.[4] Among the first of such mountain forest reserves to be declared was Mount Maquiling declared on November 21, 1910.[5]
On February 1, 1932, the National Parks Act (Act No. 3195) was enacted that formally established the national parks system in the country.[6] Mount Arayat became the first national park in the Philippines established on June 27, 1933, following this act.
A series of acts and legislations were passed in the next decades that aimed to further strengthen these policies, including the Revised Forestry Code of 1975 (Presidential Decree No. 705) and Forest Administrative Order No. 7. Following the 1987 Constitution, the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act was enacted which further enhanced the administration and classification of protected areas and broadened the mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in enforcing its provisions.
Classification
[edit | edit source]Protected areas in the Philippines encompasses 4,620,000 hectares (11,400,000 acres) of terrestrial areas and 3,140,000 hectares (7,800,000 acres) of marine areas.[1] They are managed according to the following classifications described in Section 4 of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS Act).[7]
National parks
[edit | edit source]Natural parks
[edit | edit source]Natural monuments
[edit | edit source]
| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bessang Pass | 693.32 ha (1,713.2 acres) |
2000 | Ilocos Sur |
| Chocolate Hills | 14,145.00 ha (34,953.1 acres) |
1997 | Bohol |
| Salinas | 6,675.56 ha (16,495.7 acres) |
2000 | Nueva Vizcaya |
| Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok | 2,227.62 ha (5,504.6 acres) |
2004 | Camiguin |
Protected landscape and seascapes
[edit | edit source]
| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agoo–Damortis | 10,513.30 ha (25,978.9 acres) |
2000 | La Union |
| Alburquerque–Loay–Loboc | 1,164.16 ha (2,876.7 acres) |
1999 | Bohol |
| Alibijaban | 1,056 ha (2,610 acres) |
2025[8] | Quezon |
| Aliguay Island | 1,191.89 ha (2,945.2 acres) |
1999 | Zamboanga del Norte |
| Apo Island | 691.45 ha (1,708.6 acres) |
1994 | Negros Oriental |
| Baliangao | 295.00 ha (729.0 acres) |
2000 | Misamis Occidental |
| Batanes | 213,578.00 ha (527,762.7 acres) |
1994 | Batanes |
| Biri Larosa | 33,492.00 ha (82,760.5 acres) |
2000 | Northern Samar |
| Cuatro Islas | 12,500.00 ha (30,888.2 acres) |
2000 | Leyte |
| Dumanquilas Bay | 25,948.00 ha (64,118.9 acres) |
1999 | Zamboanga del Sur |
| Great and Little Santa Cruz Islands | 1,877.00 ha (4,638.2 acres) |
2000 | Zamboanga del Sur |
| Guiuan | 60,448.00 ha (149,370.3 acres) |
1994 | Eastern Samar |
| Initao–Libertad | 1,300.78 ha (3,214.3 acres) |
2002 | Misamis Oriental |
| Mabini | 6,106.00 ha (15,088.3 acres) |
2000 | Davao de Oro |
| Malabungot | 120.62 ha (298.1 acres) |
2000 | Camarines Sur |
| Malampaya Sound | 200,115.00 ha (494,494.9 acres) |
2000 | Palawan |
| Murcielagos Island | 151.00 ha (373.1 acres) |
2000 | Zamboanga del Norte |
| Peñablanca | 118,781.58 ha (293,515.7 acres) |
2003 | Cagayan |
| Pujada Bay | 21,200.00 ha (52,386.3 acres) |
1994 | Davao Oriental |
| Selinog Island | 1,294.35 ha (3,198.4 acres) |
2000 | Zamboanga del Norte |
| Siargao Island | 278,914.13 ha (689,211.8 acres) |
1996 | Surigao del Norte |
| Talibon Islands | 6,456.87 ha (15,955.3 acres) |
1999 | Bohol |
Protected landscapes
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| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aliwagwag | 10,491.33 ha (25,924.6 acres) |
2011 | |
| Amro River | 6,471.08 ha (15,990.4 acres) |
2000 | Aurora |
| Baganga | 114.88 ha (283.9 acres) |
2000 | Davao Oriental |
| Banao | 21,567.53 ha (53,294.5 acres) |
2022[9] | Kalinga |
| Bigbiga | 135.71 ha (335.3 acres) |
2000 | Ilocos Sur |
| Buenavista | 284.27 ha (702.4 acres) |
2000 | Quezon |
| Calbayog Pan-as–Hayiban | 7,832.00 ha (19,353.3 acres) |
1998 | Samar |
| Casecnan | 88,846.80 ha (219,545.2 acres) |
2000 | |
| Central Cebu | 29,062.00 ha (71,813.8 acres) |
2003 | Cebu |
| Dinadiawan River | 3,371.33 ha (8,330.7 acres) |
2000 | Aurora |
| Hinulugang Taktak | 3.20 ha (7.9 acres) |
2000 | Rizal |
| José Rizal Memorial | 439.00 ha (1,084.8 acres) |
2000 | Zamboanga del Norte |
| Libunao | 46.70 ha (115.4 acres) |
2000 | Ilocos Sur |
| Lidlidda | 1,157.44 ha (2,860.1 acres) |
2000 | Ilocos Sur |
| Magapit | 3,403.62 ha (8,410.5 acres) |
2000 | Cagayan |
| Mainit Hot Springs | 1,374.00 ha (3,395.2 acres) |
2000 | Davao de Oro |
| Manleluag Spring | 1,935.17 ha (4,781.9 acres) |
2004 | Pangasinan |
| Mati | 914.26 ha (2,259.2 acres) |
2005 | Davao Oriental |
| Maulawin Spring | 149.01 ha (368.2 acres) |
2000 | Quezon |
| Mimbilisan | 66.00 ha (163.1 acres) |
1999 | Misamis Oriental |
| Mount Arayat | 3,711.34 ha (9,170.9 acres) |
2022[10] | Pampanga |
| Mounts Banahaw–San Cristobal | 10,900.59 ha (26,935.9 acres) |
2009 | |
| Mount Masaraga | 840.00 ha (2,075.7 acres) |
2025[11] | Albay |
| Mount Mantalingajan | 120,457.00 ha (297,655.7 acres) |
2009 | Palawan |
| Mount Matutum | 15,600.00 ha (38,548.4 acres) |
1995 | South Cotabato |
| Mounts Palay-Palay–Mataas-na-Gulod | 3,973.13 ha (9,817.8 acres) |
2007 | |
| Mount Pulag | 11,602 ha (28,670 acres) |
2022[12] | |
| Mount Timolan | 1,994.80 ha (4,929.3 acres) |
2000 | Zamboanga del Sur |
| Naga-Kabasalan | 5,505.45 ha (13,604.3 acres) |
2022[13] | Zamboanga Sibugay |
| Pamitinan | 600.00 ha (1,482.6 acres) |
1996 | Rizal |
| Quezon | 938.00 ha (2,317.8 acres) |
2003 | Quezon |
| Quirino | 164,364.46 ha (406,153.4 acres) |
2005 | Quirino |
| Rajah Sikatuna | 10,452.60 ha (25,828.9 acres) |
2000 | Bohol |
| Roosevelt | 786.04 ha (1,942.3 acres) |
2000 | Bataan |
| Santa Lucia | 174.16 ha (430.4 acres) |
2000 | Ilocos Sur |
| Simbahan–Talagas | 2,266.49 ha (5,600.6 acres) |
2000 | Aurora |
| Taal Volcano | 62,292.14 ha (153,927.2 acres) |
1996 | Batangas |
| Talaytay | 3,526.29 ha (8,713.7 acres) |
2000 | Aurora |
| Tirad Pass | 7,507.60 ha (18,551.7 acres) |
2022[14] | Ilocos Sur |
| Upper Marikina River Basin | 26,125.64 ha (64,557.9 acres) |
2011 | Rizal |
Protected seascapes
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| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panglao Island | 385.67 ha (953.0 acres) |
2003 | Bohol |
| Sarangani Bay | 215,950.00 ha (533,624.1 acres) |
1996 | Sarangani |
| Tañon Strait | 450.00 ha (1,112.0 acres) |
1998 |
Game refuge and bird sanctuaries
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| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calauit Safari Park | 3,400.00 ha (8,401.6 acres) |
1976 | Palawan |
| Calavite and FB Harrison | 121,983.81 ha (301,428.6 acres) |
1920 | Occidental Mindoro |
| Lake Buluan | 6,300.00 ha (15,567.6 acres) |
2006 | Cotabato |
| Lake Malimanga | 12.35 ha (30.5 acres) |
1980 | Zambales |
| Olango Island | 920.00 ha (2,273.4 acres) |
1992 | Cebu |
| Palawan | 761,416.00 ha (1,881,499.9 acres) |
1967 | Palawan |
Resource reserves
[edit | edit source]| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siocon | 793.74 ha (1,961.4 acres) |
1999 | Zamboanga del Norte |
| Upper Agno River Basin | 77,561.00 ha (191,657.4 acres) |
2000 |
Managed resource protected areas
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| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area | 89,134.76 ha (220,256.8 acres) |
1998 | Palawan |
Marine reserves
[edit | edit source]| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masinloc and Oyon Bay | 7,568.00 ha (18,700.9 acres) |
1993 | Zambales |
| Palaui Island | 7,415.48 ha (18,324.1 acres) |
1994 | Cagayan |
| Sagay | 32,000.00 ha (79,073.7 acres) |
2001 | Negros Occidental |
| Taklong Island | 1,143.45 ha (2,825.5 acres) |
1990 | Guimaras |
Watershed forest reserves
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| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aklan River | 23,185.00 ha (57,291.4 acres) |
1990 | Aklan |
| Alabat | 688.00 ha (1,700.1 acres) |
1987 | Quezon |
| Alijawan–Cansuhay–Anibongan River | 3,630.00 ha (8,969.9 acres) |
1992 | Bohol |
| Allah Valley | 92,450.00 ha (228,448.9 acres) |
1985 | South Cotabato |
| Angat Watershed | 6,600.00 ha (16,309.0 acres) |
1968 | Bulacan |
| Aurora | 430.00 ha (1,062.6 acres) |
1936 | Aurora |
| Bawa | 8,955.00 ha (22,128.3 acres) |
1987 | Cagayan |
| Binahaan River | 465.00 ha (1,149.0 acres) |
1991 | Quezon |
| Calabgan | 4,803.00 ha (11,868.5 acres) |
1992 | Aurora |
| Calatrava–San Andres–San Agustin | 2,670.00 ha (6,597.7 acres) |
1982 | Romblon |
| Calauag | 328.00 ha (810.5 acres) |
1939 | Quezon |
| Capalonga | 752.00 ha (1,858.2 acres) |
1966 | Camarines Norte |
| Catanduanes | 26,010.00 ha (64,272.1 acres) |
1987 | Catanduanes |
| Dahican | 44.00 ha (108.7 acres) |
1933 | Camarines Norte |
| Dalanas River | 8,558.00 ha (21,147.3 acres) |
1990 | Antique |
| Dibalo–Pingit–Zabali–Malayat | 4,528.00 ha (11,188.9 acres) |
1992 | Aurora |
| Dipaculao | 1,786.00 ha (4,413.3 acres) |
1987 | Aurora |
| Doña Remedios–General Tinio | 20,760.00 ha (51,299.1 acres) |
1988 | |
| Dupax | 424.80 ha (1,049.7 acres) |
1934 | Nueva Vizcaya |
| Ilocos Norte Metro | 2,815.00 ha (6,956.0 acres) |
1934 | Ilocos Norte |
| Ilog-Hilabangan | 10,211.00 ha (25,231.9 acres) |
1990 | Negros Occidental |
| Infanta | 384.00 ha (948.9 acres) |
1967 | Quezon |
| Jalaur River | 9,228.00 ha (22,802.9 acres) |
1990 | Iloilo |
| Kabankalan | 432.00 ha (1,067.5 acres) |
1991 | Negros Occidental |
| Lake Lanao | 180,460.00 ha (445,926.4 acres) |
1992 | Lanao del Sur |
| Libungan | 52,820.00 ha (130,521.1 acres) |
1990 | Cotabato |
| Loboc River | 19,410.00 ha (47,963.2 acres) |
1953 | Bohol |
| Lopez | 418.00 ha (1,032.9 acres) |
1940 | Quezon |
| Lower Agno | 39,304.00 ha (97,122.3 acres) |
1983 | Benguet |
| Maasin | 6,150.00 ha (15,197.0 acres) |
1923 | Iloilo |
| Mahugunao | 136.00 ha (336.1 acres) |
1932 | Misamis Oriental |
| Malagos | 235.00 ha (580.7 acres) |
1933 | Davao del Sur |
| Marcos Highway | 6,105.00 ha (15,085.8 acres) |
1978 | Benguet |
| Mariveles (Palanas) | 325.00 ha (803.1 acres) |
1919 | Bataan |
| Mulanay | 26.00 ha (64.2 acres) |
1938 | Quezon |
| Naguilian | 90.00 ha (222.4 acres) |
1936 | La Union |
| Olongapo (Palanas) | 6,335.00 ha (15,654.1 acres) |
1987 | Zambales |
| Palawan | 4,776.00 ha (11,801.8 acres) |
1982 | Palawan |
| Palompon | 2,392.00 ha (5,910.8 acres) |
1988 | Leyte |
| Panay River | 4,350.00 ha (10,749.1 acres) |
1990 | Capiz |
| Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed | 84,500.00 ha (208,804.0 acres) |
1969 | Nueva Ecija |
| Polillo | 130.00 ha (321.2 acres) |
1966 | Quezon |
| Santa | 25.00 ha (61.8 acres) |
1935 | Ilocos Sur |
| South Upi | 1,894.20 ha (4,680.7 acres) |
1987 | Maguindanao del Sur |
| Talavera | 37,156.00 ha (91,814.5 acres) |
1938 | |
| Tanap | 41.00 ha (101.3 acres) |
1971 | Ilocos Norte |
| Tibiang–Damagandong | 280.00 ha (691.9 acres) |
1938 | Quezon |
| Torrijos | 105.00 ha (259.5 acres) |
1932 | Marinduque |
| Tumauini | 17,670.00 ha (43,663.5 acres) |
1994 | Isabela |
| Wangag | 6,992.00 ha (17,277.6 acres) |
1987 | Cagayan |
Natural biotic areas
[edit | edit source]| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abasig–Matogdon–Mananap | 5,420.12 ha (13,393.4 acres) |
2000 | Camarines Norte |
| Basilan | 4,497.00 ha (11,112.3 acres) |
2000 | Basilan |
| Buug | 1,095.00 ha (2,705.8 acres) |
1998 | Zamboanga del Sur |
| Lagonoy | 444.60 ha (1,098.6 acres) |
2000 | Camarines Sur |
| Tugbo | 224 ha (550 acres) |
2022 | Masbate |
Wildlife sanctuaries
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World Heritage Site or part of a World Heritage Site
| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agusan Marsh | 14,835.99 ha (36,660.5 acres) |
1996 | Agusan del Sur |
| Chico Island | 7.77 ha (19.2 acres) |
2000 | Masbate |
| Marinduque | 8,827.96 ha (21,814.4 acres) |
2004 | Marinduque |
| Mount Calavite | 18,016.19 ha (44,519.0 acres) |
2000 | Occidental Mindoro |
| Mount Hamiguitan Range | 6,834.00 ha (16,887.2 acres) |
2004 | Davao Oriental |
| Naro Island | 109.98 ha (271.8 acres) |
2000 | Masbate |
| Rasa Island | 1,983.00 ha (4,900.1 acres) |
2006 | Palawan |
| Sicogon Island | 251 ha (620 acres) |
2022 | Iloilo |
| Turtle Islands | 242,967.00 ha (600,384.5 acres) |
1999 | Tawi-Tawi |
Wilderness areas
[edit | edit source]| Name | Area | Established | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alibijaban | 430.00 ha (1,062.6 acres) |
1981 | Quezon |
| Awasan Bay Islands | 1981 | Surigao del Norte | |
| Bantayan Island | 1981[15] | Cebu | |
| Basot–Quinalang–Malabungot Islands | 185.38 ha (458.1 acres) |
1981 | Camarines Sur |
| Caniago Strait Islands | 210.00 ha (518.9 acres) |
1981 | Bohol |
| Cebu Strait Islands | 34.00 ha (84.0 acres) |
1981 | Bohol |
| Dampalit Island | 1981 | Masbate | |
| Guinauyan–Naro–Chico–Pobre Islands | 23.25 ha (57.5 acres) |
1981 | Masbate |
| Isabela Monte Alto Timber Resource Corp. |
1,985.00 ha (4,905.0 acres) |
1987 | Isabela |
| Majaba-Napayuan Islands | 18.00 ha (44.5 acres) |
1981 | Masbate |
| Panag Bay Islands | 1981 | Surigao del Norte | |
| Rasa Island | 1981 | Palawan |
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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- ^ "Republic Act No. 12226". Official Gazette. 2025.
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- ^ "Republic Act No. 12227" . Official Gazette. 2025.
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External links
[edit | edit source]- Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
- File:Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg National parks and protected areas of the Philippines travel guide from Wikivoyage
- National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (archived)
- Protected areas (240) in the Philippines from Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau
- Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park Official Site (archived)
