March 16, 2024 – The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW) joined the celebration of the Las Piñas – Parañaque Wetland Park’s (LPPWP) designation as a Ramsar Site. The event dubbed as “LPPWP’s Celebration of its 11th Year as a Ramsar Site: A Wetland We Treasure; A Future We Ensure” was conducted to promote increased awareness of the LPPWP as a Ramsar Site and served as a call to action for stakeholders to conserve wetlands.
The event was opened by Hon. Senator Cynthia A. Villar and Dir. Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR Regional Executive Director and the Chairperson of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of LPPWP) who delivered messages highlighting the importance of LPPWP and the significance of being a Ramsar Site.
Ms. Amy Lecciones, Executive Director of SCPW, discussed “Saving our Wetlands and the Ramsar Convention”. Her presentation tackled various types of wetlands, their importance, threats, and the Ramsar Convention as the global response to saving the wetlands, as well as local examples of action particularly those being implemented by SCPW to serve as examples that stakeholders, particularly the Youth can replicate. Additionally, she discussed the significant features of LPPWP that qualified it to be a wetland of international importance or a Ramsar Site in 2013.
Mr. Mike Lu (President of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines), on the other hand, talked about the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and the role the LPPWP plays in securing the “highway” for migratory birds so they are safe in their journey when migrating during and after winter.
The event was attended by Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from Barangay Manuyo Uno, Talon Tres, and San Dionisio attended the celebration. Together with them were the School Division Office of Parañaque represented by San Antonio National High School, youth formations of Casimiro Townhomes Youth, Singles and Youth for Christ, and PYAP Urbanville, and Community Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA).
In the latter part of the event, Mr. Villarin launched the #BeAWetlandHero, a Facebook Reels video-making competition open to youth in Metro Manila. The announcement of winners will be held on Earth Day, April 22, 2024. To finally conclude the program, he highlighted that this event is a call to action, providing an opportunity for participants to take charge and contribute to shaping the future of LPPWP.
SCPW Joins LPPWP in Celebrating 11th Anniversary as a Ramsar Site