The Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve (SWNR) in Zamboanga Sibugay province was officially declared as the Philippines’ 9th Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, earning Ramsar Site No. 2552.
The prestigious designation, formally announced during the February 2 World Wetlands Day celebration spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), marked a significant achievement in the country’s conservation efforts and elevates the region’s role in global biodiversity protection.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands designated SWNR as a Ramsar Site during the 10th Asian Wetlands Symposium in Quezon City in November 2024 making it the 2,552nd Ramsar site worldwide. Spanning 175,551 hectares across nine municipalities of the Zamboanga Sibugay Province, it serves as a critical habitat for migratory and endemic waterbirds, including the Philippine duck and Chinese egret.
A step toward global conservation
This recognition not only elevates the region’s international standing but also positions Zamboanga Sibugay as a key player in wetland conservation. Its new Ramsar status emphasizes the wetland’s critical role in the Philippine Flyway, which supports migratory birds along their journey across Asia. The reserve is also part of a broader conservation project supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Asian Development Bank, and BirdLife International, focusing on nature-based solutions that benefit both wildlife and local communities.
The celebration, held at the Zamboanga Provincial Capitol, featured the formal awarding of the Ramsar Site Certificate to the Provincial Government of Zamboanga Sibugay, as well as key municipalities and barangays.
In addition to the certification ceremony, the event included a wetland products exhibit, a teaching session with local students, and an exposure trip to the reserve. These activities helped raise awareness of the importance of wetlands for both biodiversity and human livelihoods.
T
he SWNR’s Ramsar designation not only brings global recognition to Zamboanga Sibugay but also strengthens the province’s leadership in wetland conservation. As the Philippines’ 9th Ramsar site, the reserve is a symbol of what can be achieved through local commitment, international collaboration, and sustainable environmental management.
Know about SWNR
The Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve (SWNR) is the 9th Ramsar site and is the largest in the country to date. Located in Zamboanga Sibugay, it is the first Ramsar site in Region 9 and the second in the entire Mindanao. SWNR is believed to host the largest known mixed colony of flying foxes in the Philippines.
SWNR supports five waterbird species (namely: Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis); Great Egret (Ardeaalba); Little Egret (Egretta garzetta); Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia); and Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) that make up more than one percent (1%) of the East Asian Australasian Flyway Network population . The designation of the SWNR as a Ramsar site highlights its importance in both national and global biodiversity conservation efforts. (EDT/JPA/PIA9-Zamboanga Sibugay)
