The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) together with other agencies, partners and stakeholders held information and education and communication (IEC) campaign activities and Puppet Show during World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2020.
World Wetlands Day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the City of Ramsar in Iran on the shores of the Caspian Sea, which is the world’s largest inland water body.
The wetland biodiversity is extremely significant to our survival yet wetlands are considered as the most threatened ecosystem. This impacts 40% of the world’s plant and animal species that live or breed in wetlands.
Joining PPSRNP were Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO), City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Puerto Princesa City and Pilipinas Shell Foundation (PSF).
The activity was participated by more than 100 individuals composed of elementary pupils of Cabayugan Elementary School with their parents, selected students and student-writers of Cabayugan National High School, barangay officials within the PPSRNP and IP communities.
The City ENRO i-Tree: Beyond Trees team led by the City ENRO Atty. Carlo B. Gomez and his staff performed the Puppet Show entitled “Subaraw”. The show highlighted the importance of becoming responsible tourists and tour guides in visiting the city’s tourist destinations including the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP).
The student-writers of Cabayugan National High School then asked questions in a press conference with PPSRNP, DENR, PSF, and City ENRO.
The World Heritage Convention works closely with other entities to protect the most important wetland systems in the world. Wetlands can be protected under different designations, whether by Ramsar, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, the UNESCO Man, and Biosphere Program and others. While World Heritage wetland sites are an important habitat for biodiversity, they are also threatened by pollution, climate change, dams, and overexploitation.
PPSRNP was both inscribed as World Heritage and Ramsar Sites. This is also considered as wetlands of international importance.