Vote for the LPPCHEA for the World Wetlands Network Globe Awards ‪

The last mangrove forest in Metro Manila is in the running for the World Wetlands Network Globe Awards. ‪

The Las Piñas – Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) has been nominated by the Earth Island Institute Philippines and the Save Freedom Island Movement specifically for the WWN Grey Globe Award. This award singles out wetlands of international importance that are under threat or being mismanaged. The criteria here could include: degradation of wetland due to development; loss of wetland due to pollution; degradation due to agriculture or over-extraction of water; active exclusion of local communities from wetland protection.

Photo by Atty. Gilbert Gordove

As such, reclamation projects by big corporations have threatened this critical habitat. The LPPCHEA which covers a mangrove forest, a lagoon, a beach and collection of endemic trees is made up of two main areas: Long Island in Las Pinas and Freedom Island in Paranaque. The sprawling 175-hectare area protects Metro Manila from typhoon surges and is home to  80 migratory and resident birds such as the endemic Philippine Duck, the endangered Chinese Egret, and the rare Pied Avocet.

To help protect important wetlands such as the LPPCHEA, the Wetland Globes Awards recognizes the best and worst cases of wetland management internationally, from the view point of civil society groups. This is a means to share and recognize best practices, as well as highlight wetlands and related issues of concern to encourage those countries to make improvements, and support local groups to fight harmful practice.

Photo from Pinoy Manila

Thankfully enough, the Freedom Islands are protected by Presidential Proclamation Nos. 1412 and 1412-A and is listed as one of the world’s most important wetlands. To this day, several community groups continue to protect the area by sponsoring native tree planting activities and coastal clean-ups.  Help raise more awareness for the Freedom Islands by voting for the (LPPCHEA)! Our friends from Earth Island Institute Philippines and Save Freedom Island Movement have outlined the FIVE easy steps to vote in less than FIVE minutes:

1. Register at www.worldwetnet.org/registration
2. Select VOTE FOR A WETLAND www.worldwetnet.org/wetland-globes/vote-for-a-wetland
3. Select PHILIPPINES and click SEARCH
4. Find the dot on the map for the Las Pinas - Paranaque Critical Habitat
5. VOTE and put a check on the GREY GLOBE AWARD (wetlands-at-risk), you can also (optional) add your reason for voting.

Don’t forget to share this in your social networks and ask your friends to vote too. You can also join the campaign on Facebook.