Press Release
August 4, 2014

Villar launches LPPCHEA guide book for bird watchers

Sen. Cynthia Villar launched last Sunday a guide book for bird watchers at the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA), stressing further the importance of the area as a bird sanctuary.

The launch coincided with the 11th anniversary of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP), held at the Clubhouse of La Vista Village in Quezon City recently.

"With the publication of the book, we again took another step in bringing attention to LPPCHEA, and of course the birds of LPPCHEA," Villar said.

Villar said the importance of the habitat as a bird sanctuary and as an alternative recreation destination should be reiterated, especially in the face of threats of reclamation.

The publication of the 30-page booklet called "A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of LPPCHEA" was funded by the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance). The content and photographs were provided by the Wild Bird Club with the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- National Capital Region.

Villar recognized the role of the Wild Bird Club in proving that LPPCHEA is a bird sanctuary, thus the declaration by the Ramsar Convention that it is one of the most important wetlands in the world.

The 175-hectare LPPCHEA located in the Manila Bay is a protected area by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1412.

"With this field guide, we hope to educate and raise the awareness of the general public to the diversity of species and the importance of the last mangrove island in southern Manila Bay," Mike Lu, Wild Bird Club founding president, said.

Villar, speaking before members of the Wild Bird Club, offered to help the group in pushing for the conservation of the Candaba Swamp in Pampanga as a bird sanctuary.

The booklet showcases 41 colored photographs of bird species found in the area, including the endangered Philippine Duck. Papan, as it is locally called, is being threatened due to over hunting and destruction of its habitat. LPPCHEA is the last known area in Metro Manila where it can be seen.

The other bird that frequent the area is the migratory bird Chinese Egret, a vulnerable kind with rapidly declining population. There is now only an estimated 10,000 adult Chinese Egrets in the world.

The Black-winged Stilt also visits LPPCHEA during migration season. Records show that the number of this kind of bird that visits the area makes up at least 1 % of their global population. This makes the site a critical area for the species.

"We will also come up with a guide book for plants and trees found in the area. We need to inform the public that this beautiful place exists, and that it has to be preserved and protected," Villar said.

News Latest News Feed