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Sunday, February 5, 2017
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ILOILO City – During the Feb. 2 observance of World Wetlands Day in Western Visayas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) marked the occasion in the island barangay of Gabuc in Pontevedra, Capiz.
There was a cleanup and a forum. But why Barangay Gabuc?
DENR said the village is being considered for possible application as a wetland of international importance, or a “Ramsar site.”
Ramsar is a city in Iran. It was where the Ramsar Convention – an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, also known as the Convention on Wetlands – was signed in 1971.
The World Wetlands Day was marked in Barangay Gabuc to raise public awareness and encourage local community involvement in preserving their wetlands, and specifically its vast mangrove area, according to DENR.
The island barangay of Gabuc is a 45-minute boat ride from the town of Pontevedra.
Wetlands, being the most productive ecosystems in the world, are important to human survival, according to DENR, hence, their destruction can be alarming.
The theme of this year’s World Wetlands Day was “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction.” In 2013, Bangay Gabuc was struck by super typhoon “Yolanda.” It was totally devastated. Storm surges swept away people’s homes
Barangay Gabuc is surrounded by water and during story weather, villagers need to pay attention to the level of water in Agbalo River.
The early observance of World Wetlands Day seeks to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands, and this year, its importance as natural defense against disasters, according to DENR.
Wetlands control soil erosion, flood, ground water recharge and discharge, serve as kidneys to other ecosystems, habitats to rare species, tourist spots and can also be sources of income.
According to the DENR, the top five wetlands that help lessen the impact of extreme weather events are mangroves, coral reefs, rivers and flood plains, inland deltas and peatlands.
Presently, the Philippines has seven Ramsar sites. These are the following:
* Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area
* Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan
* Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu
* Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro
* Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Sulu
* Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur, and
* Las Piñas – Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area in Manila. (PIA-Iloilo/PN)
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