THE Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) is pushing for the adoption and implementation of a national action plan for the preservation of the country’s wetlands.

PAWB Director Mundita Lim said there is a need to put in place an effective defense system to protect wetlands mainly from destructive human activities.

PAWB, an attached bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is pushing for the adoption of “The National Wetlands Action Plan for the Philippines 2011-2016.”

A study, as part of the drafting of the plan, said Philippine wetlands are home to one of the largest assemblies of microorganisms, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds and mammals that live within or near waters.

“Wetlands are also responsible for a number of natural processes, products and services that are critical to the development and survival of human communities.

Wetland ecosystems are also rich in cultural value because of their religious, historical, archaeological or other cultural significance,” the draft wetlands action plan stressed.

However, the study revealed that wetlands are “experiencing a myriad of issues and concerns that poses great challenges in maintaining the integrity of these important ecosystems.” These include the degradation of wetlands and their conversion to other land/water uses.

These are caused by human and natural actions—such as drainage, dredging and stream channelization, damming, poor agricultural practices, introduction of alien invasive species, subsidence, drought and severe storms, among others.

According to the study, these actions often result in siltation and sedimentation, release of toxic chemicals, air and water pollution, runoff, changing nutrient levels, subsidence, sea-level rise and loss of biodiversity.

Lim said the reclamation of these water bodies for industrial, commercial and residential purposes pose a major threat that could lead to the extinction of these ecosystems, including the flora and fauna that uniquely characterize these wetlands.

She cited the case of the Manila Bay, a vast portion of which was developed for commercial and industrial purposes over the past four decades.

“We need to carefully assess the impacts of development such as reclamation to the environment, especially on wetlands. There should be an environmental-impact assessment before executing a proposed development project, she said.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands define wetlands as areas of marsh, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including area of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed 6 meters.

According to Lim, wetlands play a critical role in maintaining many natural cycles and support a wide variety of biological diversity and their extinction means the wholesale slaughter of the rich biodiversity that they support.

She said wetlands are “taken for granted” even by the very people in communities who benefit from these special ecosystems.

The PAWB chief said local government units, as well, are not keen on playing an active role in protecting wetlands, noting that only a few local government units are taking part in the activities of the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) for the protection of Protected Areas and Natural Parks covered by the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law that partially covers some of the country’s wetlands.

People look at wetlands as nothing but areas that are “maputik na dapat tambakan [wet areas that should be covered]” without realizing that doing so has adverse impact to a network of ecosystems that they are part of.

Lim said instead of reclaiming these important bodies of water, there is a need to conduct a baseline study to boost not only their economic potential, but as a part of the country’s ecosystem that supports the very existence of mankind.

She said there is no law that directly mandates the protection of wetlands in the Philippines outside these Protected Areas and Natural Parks, making them defenseless from destructive human activities.

Besides its coastal or marine areas, the Philippines is endowed with 216 lakes; 22 major marshes, swamps and reservoir; and 421 principal rivers.

About 34 inland wetlands have been identified as priority sites for research and conservation by the Philippine Biodiversity Priority Setting exercise. Seven of these are now considered Key Biodiversity Areas while another 14 lakes are considered as Candidate Key Biodiversity Areas.

There are four Philippine wetlands of international importance recognized under the Ramsar Convention, namely: Tubbataha Reef Natural Park in Palawan, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu, Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro, and Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Northeastern Mindanao.

The DENR is pushing for the recognition of the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan—which was recently declared one of the New Seven Wonders—as another Ramsar Site.