National Parks Of The Philippines

The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a sovereign island nation located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia. Its capital and largest cities are Manila and Quezon City respectively. The Philippines consists of approximately 7,641 islands which have been categorized into three geographical divisions, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines cover an area of approximately 115,831 square miles with an approximate population of 100 million making it the 12th most populous country in the world. The country is home to 240 protected areas, 35 of them being national parks.

National Parks Of The Philippines

Bataan National Park

The Bataan National Park is located in the Bataan Province, Central Luzon Region 63 miles away from Manila. It was established in 1945 and covered an area of approximately 119 square miles, but over the years the area has been reduced to 92 square miles. Mount Natib is located at the center of the park and is surrounded by 4 miles of forest which provide an exceptional view of nature, bird viewing, trekking, various peaks, and waterfalls. The park is covered with tropical jungles and mountainous terrains with geological features such as the rivers, and flowers. Wild monkeys, insects, and birds are also found in the park.

Mounts Iglit–Baco National Park

Mounts Iglit–Baco National Park, located in the central Philippines on the island of Mindoro covers an area of 291 miles. It was established in November 1970. Eight river systems flow across the ecological region that consists of a rugged terrain of plateaus, slopes, and river gorges. The park is home to the endemic tamaraw scientifically known as the Bubalus mindorensids which is a hoofed mammal and is the primary reason why the park was established. The park is also home to various wildlife, several bird species, and indigenous plants.

Mount Pulag

Mount Pulag is Luzon’s region highest peak with 9,587 feet above the sea level, making it the 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines. In February 1987, the mountain was declared a national park with an area of 44.5 square miles and a temperate climate with predominant rains throughout the year. The mountain is a habitat for 528 plant species, 33 bird species, four cloud rat species, the endemic dwarf bamboo, and Benguet pine. The mountain has attracted various tourist who visits the site to hike and view both the sea of clouds and the Milky Way at dawn.

Naujan Lake National Park

The Naujan Lake is a freshwater lake located in the northeastern part of Oriental Mindoro province in Mindoro Island, Philippines. It is the fifth largest lake in the Philippines with an area of 31 square miles, thus making it the main feature of the Naujan Lake National Park. It was declared a national park in March 1956 and Inclusive of the lake’s area, the general area coverage of the park is 83.6 square miles.it is a readily accessible area either by land transportation or by water transportation and tourism as well as recreational facilities are readily available.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a protected area located approximately 50 miles north of the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines. It was named a national park in 1992 and has been managed by the city’s government ever since. The subterranean river flows through the cave in the St. Paul Mountain Range and 2010, environmentalists discovered that there was a second floor beneath the river thus resulting in small waterfalls. It is home to various forest formations found in Asia, vertebrates, and birds.

Environmental Threats

The Philippines is among the countries with rapid population growth. The increase in population results in the need for more land and the parks have to bare with encroaching human activities. Poaching is also a major threat to the animals of the parks.