Puerto Princesa City is now emerging as the country’s Birding Capital riding on its popularity as a Birding Activity site not only for local bird enthusiasts but also for foreign bird lovers with the holding of annual International Bird Photography Race activity during Subaraw Biodiversity Festival, bringing more bird photographers and enthusiasts from different parts of the world to the event.
This year, some 22 teams, a total of 66 bird photographers including foreigners, participated the 5th Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) International Bird Photography Race, which is part of the city’s Subaraw Biodiversity Festival celebration.
The purpose of the activity is to promote the importance of our wildlife resources not only in Palawan but in other parts of the country and in the world.
Atty. Carlo B. Gomez, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Puerto Princesa City said that the International Bird Photography Race has been going on in the city since 2015. He said that Birding Activity is a multi-million industry in many parts of the world, that significantly contributed the economies of the localities in various countries.
“Napakasikat ng Pilipinas and internationally especially in Central and South America, Columbia, Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil, birding is a multi-million dollar industry,” he said.
The move to claim the Birding Capital tag was announced Atty. Gomez during the opening of the 5th PPUR International Bird Photography Race.
He said that the city is a bird haven for 24 species of birds found only in Palawan and at the same time a bird trap or bird hot spot.
Bird enthusiasts who joined the photography contest this year said that Puerto Princesa is the best site when it comes to birding activity.
Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzales, a BS Zoology graduate of the Institute of Biological Science of the University of the Philippines (UP) and an Outstanding Young Scientist Awardee of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) said that there are 593 birds in the country, and 279 of which are found in Palawan. Out of the 279 birds found in Palawan, there are 24 species that can only be found in Palawan only, and nowhere else.
“There are 24 birds that are Palawan endemic. They are only found in Palawan and nowhere else in the world. Kaya nga merong Bird Photography Race dito sa Puerto Princesa, because the people (photographers) want to see that 24 na dito lang makikita,” he said.
This year’s international bird photography race was also featured by Chino Gascon in GMA’s 24 Oras and Saksi newscast during the weekend.
The photography contest is presented by the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park – Protected Area Management Board (PPSRNP-PAMB), the City Government of Puerto Princesa, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Palawan Geographic Society (PGS), and the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines in partnership with USAID – Protect Wildlife, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Haring Ibon, Nikon Philippines and Sony.
This year, photographers from Malaysia and Saudi Arabia joined the contest. In the previous PPUR International Bird Photography Race, contestants from Taiwan, Hongkong, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, U.S.A, Costa Rica and other countries were among those who have been part of the competition.
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