THE Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area (Nocwca) will be inaugurated as the seventh Ramsar site in the Philippines in Bago City on October 20.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that emphasizes the conservation and wise use of wetlands primarily as habitat for wildlife and as source of livelihood for many.
Once an area has been named a Ramsar Site, the parties involved will abide by “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.”
Secretary Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is expected to award the Ramsar Site certificates to local government unit executives led by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.
The Ramsar Site Marker will also be unveiled by Marañon, Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Theresa Mundita, DENR-Negros Island Region Director Al Orolfo, and DENR-Western Visayas Director Jim Sampulna.
Nocwca has a continuous coastline of 109.52 kilometers covering 52 coastal barangays in 10 local government units, including the cities of Bago, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and towns of Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Binalbagan and Ilog.
These coastal wetlands are known for their rich and bio-diverse coastal resources such as mangroves, shellfish (oysters, green mussels, nylon shells, angel wings shells, shrimps, and crabs among others).
The wetlands conservation area also hosts at least three species of globally threatened marine turtles, including Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and green sea turtles; Irrawaddy dolphins; and at least 73 species of water birds.
Also a source of livelihood for many coastal residents and fisherfolk, at least 62.5 metric tons of oysters are harvested monthly in Ilog and Himamaylan. (PR)