Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention)

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It was developed and adopted by participating nations in Ramsar, Iran on 2 February 1971 and came into force on 21 December 1975.

The Philippines become a Contracting Party to the Convention on 8 November 1994.

Focal Office:: Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB)
Date Ratified:: November 8, 1994
Focal Persons:: Designated Ramsar Administrative Authority
       DR. THERESA MUNDITA S. LIM
Director
       DENR - Biodiversity Management Bureau
       Tel. Nos. - (632) 924 6031 to 35 local 203 & 204, (632) 924 0109

Alternate
MS. JOSEFINA DE LEON
       Division Chief, Caves, Wetlands and Other Ecosystems Division
       DENR - Biodiversity Management Bureau
       Tel. Nos. - (632) 924 6031 to 35 local 226, (632) 925 8950

Designated National Focal Point for Ramsar Convention Matters
       MS. MARLYN M. MENDOZA
       Division Chief, Coastal and Marine Division
       DENR - Biodiversity Management Bureau
       Tel. Nos. - (632) 924 6031 to 35 local 207, (632) 925 8948

Designated Government National Focal Point for Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA)
MS. JOY M. NAVARRO
Ecosystems Management Section, Caves, Wetlands and Other Ecosystems Division
DENR - Biodiversity Management Bureau
Tel. Nos. - (632) 924 6031 to 35 local 228, (632) 925 8950
Commitments:: Under the Ramsar Convention, parties commit to:
- Work towards the wise use of all their wetlands;
- Designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management:
- Cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.

Parties are required to report on their compliance with the Convention, submitting triennial National Reports which follow the Strategic Plan of the Convention.

The Strategic plan also includes a Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA) Plan, which aims to disseminate information to the public following the theme “People taking action for the wise use of wetlands".
Status / Updates:: The Philippines have submitted the following sites for inclusion in the Ramsar List:
1. Ramsar site no. 656: Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. 01/07/94; Cebu; 5,800 ha; 10º16’N 124º03’E;
2. Ramsar site no. 1008: Naujan Lake National Park.12/11/99; Oriental Mindoro; 14,568 ha; 13º10’N 121º11’E;
3. Ramsar site no. 1009: Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary. 12/11/99; Mindanao; 14,836 ha; 08º17’N 125º53’E;
4. Ramsar Site no. 1010: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. 12/11/99; Sulu Sea; 96,828 ha; 8°57’N 119°52’E;
5. Ramsar Site no. 2084: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. 30/06/12; Palawan; 22,202 ha; 10º10’00”N 118º55’00”E;
6. Ramsar site no. 2124: Las Piñas – Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area. 15/03/2013; Manila; 175 ha; 14°29’35”N 120°58’50”E

The Biodiversity Management Bureau has published a National Wetland Action Plan for 2011-2016 which provides updates for all Ramsar Sites as well as CEPA related activities. The national report may be access here, through the Ramsar convention database.
Latest Activities:: 48th Meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee on 28-30 January 2015 at Gland, Switzerland (attended by Ms. Marlynn Mendoza and First Consul Arnel Talisayon)
: 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP12) on 1 – 9 June 2015 at Punta del Este, Uruguay (attended by Ms. Meriden Maranan, Ms. Joy Navarro and First Consul Arnel Talisayon)
: 19th Meeting of the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel on 2 – 6 November 2015 at Gland, Switzerland (attended by Exec. Dir. Vincent V. Hilomen, Ramsar Sc
Sources / Relevant Links:: http://www.ramsar.org/

This Page was updated on Thursday, 07 January 2016 15:09