Did you know there are currently four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Philippines? The province of Apayao was recently designated the country’s newest biosphere reserve as part of UNESCO’s initiative to conserve and manage biodiversity. Apayao is the country’s fourth province named a biosphere reserve, after Albay, Palawan and Puerto Galera.
You may have heard of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the designation given to cultural and/or natural sites considered to be of “Outstanding Universal Value” and UNESCO Creative Cities, urban cities which champion creativity and culture.
Here’s what the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation means and some ecotourism activities you can enjoy in each destination.
UNESCO defines biosphere reserves as terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems that provide “local solutions to global challenges” and serve as “learning places for sustainable development.”
The title is granted by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO to areas it deems demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. Biospheres must fulfill three main functions in the areas of Conservation, Economic Development and Education.
As of 2024, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves has 759 sites in 136 countries. The designation evolved when UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program began in 1971, which was given the mission to promote environmental sustainability by fostering connections between human beings and their environment.
Check out the full interactive map of biosphere reserves.
Apayao is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region officially named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in July 2024.
According to UNESCO, the biosphere reserve in Apayao spans 3,960 km². It includes the Upper Apayao area, which sports “rugged terrain with towering peaks, plateaus and valleys” and Lower Apayao, with its “flatlands adorned with rolling hills and plateaus.” It also includes the 180-km-long Apayao River, a vital watershed that nurtures 18 tributaries across the province.
UNESCO recognizes the ecological significance of Apayao, given the people and diverse flora and fauna living in the area (collectively called yApayaos). They state: “Apayao harbors the Apayao Lowland Forest Key Biodiversity Area, which has high levels of endemism and serves as a refuge for critically endangered species like the Philippine eagle.”
Apayao is also home to various ethnolinguistic groups and ten Indigenous Cultural communities whose customs are closely linked with the environment including the Isnag/Isneg community who uphold Lapat, an indigenous way of preserving the forest that ensures human activity or even entry into the forest is prohibited.
What can you do in Apayao? Tourists can enjoy eco-friendly activities such as trekking through rugged and pristine landscapes in Lussok Cave and Manacota Cave and Underground River in Luna, hiking to riverside areas, and engaging with local communities to learn about their sustainable practices. The Isnag Museum in Calanasan also offers a glimpse of the Isnag people’s rich traditions and culture.
Albay is a province in the Bicol Region, on the southeastern edge of Luzon. Renowned for being the home of the world-famous Mayon Volcano, the province was added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in March 2016.
The Albay Biosphere Reserve covers some 250,000 hectares, with inner lands composed mainly of “open, grassland and forest ecosystems, while its coastline consists of mangrove forest, urban centers and agricultural land.”
UNESCO recognizes Albay’s rich biodiversity and the high number of endemic species. Albay is home to 46 endemic terrestrial plant species, four endemic mammal species, 12 endemic bird species including the famous Luzon bleeding heart, 13 endemic amphibian species, and 22 endemic reptile species. Aside from its rich marine and coastal ecosystems, five of the world’s seven species of marine turtles are also found in Albay.
Albay is a top tourist destination in the region, renowned for being the home of the world-famous Mayon Volcano, which is currently on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Ecotourism activities include biking and nature activities around the scenic trails of Mayon Volcano or hiking up Quitinday Green Hills in Camalig. Sumlang Lake offers a peaceful spot for boating and picnics with a view of Mayon Volcano.
The National Museum in Bicol, located next to the Cagsawa Church Ruins, features exhibitions about the unique geological landscapes and rich biodiversity of the region.
The province of Palawan, a cluster of islands that comprise the westernmost province of the Philippines, has long been considered the country’s “last ecological frontier.” Palawan was nominated as a biosphere reserve in 1990.
The 1,150,800 hectares of the biosphere reserve include the entire Province of Palawan Island. This includes the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park, both declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The reserve is also home to the El Nido-Taytay Managed Reserve, Mount Mantalangajan National Park, Coron Natural Biotic Area, and the Palawan Petrographs, which are on the Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
There are loads of low-impact activities you can enjoy in Palawan, from kayaking through the stunning limestone formations and lagoons of El Nido and Coron to boat tours around the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Certified divers can also enjoy exploring the underwater world of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park on live aboard dive trips or other more accessible dive spots.
Puerto Galera is a town on Mindoro Island, about 120 km south of Manila that was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1977. The Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve is made up of 23,200 hectares of the northern tip of Mindoro Island bounded to the north by the Verde Island Passage, to the west by the Camarong River and to the east by the municipality of San Teodoro.
According to UNESCO, ecosystems include “savannas and grasslands, dipterocarp forests, mossy forests, mangrove, coral reefs and coastal ecosystems as well as agroforestry systems.” The biosphere in Mindoro island is home to many endemic species, including the endangered tamaraw.
UNESCO says that protecting coral reefs is a key job for the biosphere reserve because healthy reefs are crucial for preserving wildlife, supporting traditional ways of life and culture, bringing in tourism money, and providing opportunities for education and research.
Ecotourism activities in Puerto Galera include snorkeling and diving in the rich coral reefs of the Verde Island Passage. Non-divers can explore Puerto Galera’s Mangrove Conservation and Eco-Tourism Area to learn more about the ecological importance of mangrove forests or visit the Mangyan Village at the foothills of Mount Malasimbo to engage in community-based tourism.
Learn more about UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserves here.
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