The Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (MMPL) marked its 10th year anniversary with a two-day “Samut-Sari 2019” event at a mall in Puerto Princesa City.
Mildred Suza, MMPL superintendent, said the event will last from June 22 to Sunday with the participation of the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO), Palawan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO), and the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) of five different municipalities it covers-Bataraza, Brooke’s Point, Quezon, Jose P. Rizal, and Sofronio Española.
“Mula June 22 hanggang 23 (Sabado hanggang Linggo) ang pagdiriwang ng Samut-Sari 2019 sa Robinson’s Place Palawan, kung saan may photo exhibit, talks, art contest, video presentations, family games at iba pa. Inaanyayahan namin ang lahat na dumalo sa Samut-Sari 2019 upang lubos na kilalanin ang MMPL,” Suza said.
Mt. Mantalingahan was declared as a protected landscape by Presidential Proclamation 1815 in June 2009.
The mountain range is located 140 kilometers southwest of Puerto Princesa City, covering a total land area of 120,257 hectares.
It has 85,000 hectares of forest cover and rich biodiversity and home to around 12,600 indigenous people.
Suza said MMPL was recognized as the “highest peak” of Palawan.
It is also the “largest terrestrial protected landscape” in the province covering five municipalities.
Suza said MMPL is presently under the tentative list of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
It is a candidate to be the third World Heritage Site in the province.
“Dahil ito ay hitik sa samut-saring buhay ilang at likas na yaman, kasalukuyang nasa tentative list ng UNESCO World Heritage Site and MMPL. Kung papalarin, ang MMPL ay maaring maging pangatlong World Heritage Site sa Palawan, kabilang ng Underground River at Tubbtaha Reef. Ang Palawan lamang ang natatanging lalawigan na may dalawang World Heritage Site sa Pilipinas,” she said.
Suza acknowledged the support of different organization like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Protect Wildlife Project, Conservation International, Forest Foundation Philippines, Robinson’s Place Palawan, and Development of Education, Ecological Alternatives, Inc. (IDEAS, Inc.), Katala Foundation, Inc., C4C Brooke’s Point, and the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC).
Lawrence San Diego, communications manager of the USAID Protect Wildlife Project, in a statement, said Samut-Sari 2019 is part of their management team’s continuing support to MMPL.
San Diego said his organization is committed to bringing their conservation advocacy to more people in Palawan, particularly to those who are yet to learn more about this largest terrestrial protected area in the province.
“We hope that this year’s celebration is something that the MMPL team can carry further and mainstream in their regular IEC activities and campaigns for communities and targeted audiences,” he said
