Welcome to the Philippines –

An extensive archipelago of over 7,000 tropical islands in the western Pacific Ocean, the Republic of the Philippines is a hotspot of terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Separated from mainland Southeast Asia by the South China Sea and from Indonesia by the Sulu Sea, the Philippines are the northernmost extension of an area known as the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity and a top priority for global conservation efforts.

Juxtaposed against its wealth of natural resources, the Philippines is also one of the most populous countries in the world with over 94 million inhabitants. The rapidly growing population coupled with the relatively new industrialization of the economy has left the extensive natural resources of the country vulnerable to exploitation and destruction. It has also led to staggering social inequity in which the poorest rural communities have few means to generate income other than extracting natural resources.

As a volunteer with an international NGO, my work here is to develop marine conservation efforts by conducting surveys of marine habitats and endangered species as well as building the capacity of the local community to successfully manage and conserve their own resources. The project is focused on the remote western region of Palawan, where biodiversity is at its highest and many natural resources remain intact. The Calamianes Island group of northern Palawan is sparsely populated compared to other areas and still has significant expanses of pristine coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves which support many important fisheries and endangered species. The endangered dugong (Dugong dugon) was once distributed throughout these islands, and at least three species of sea turtles can be found here as well. The aims of our conservation efforts are therefore to protect the marine resources that still exist in this area by raising awareness among local communities about how they can be sustainably managed.

Denicolan Island in the Calamianes Island group of Northern Palawan, Philippines

Coron Island with its extensive sheltered coves, lagoons, and brackish water lakes.

Inland Busuanga Island is still largely agricultural, with rice terraces and cattle ranching dominating the landscape.

A typical rural ‘barangay’ or village on Busuanga Island

Even in the most isolated island groups, such as the Calamianes, there are still small but densely populated towns which supply rural communities with manufactured goods. In turn, they rely on the natural resources from these areas to feed their population.

A view of the major town on Busuanga Island. Crowded conditions are the norm here.

The island archipelagos not only have extensive marine resources but are also home to freshwater and brackish lakes with unique, isolated ecosystems.

Sunset on North Cay Island.

-Diana (via Meg)