July 21, 2009 07:06 PM Tuesday [ journal.com.ph ]
By: Cory Martinez
AT the heels of the inclusion of Palawan Subterranean River National Park in the “New 7 Wonders of Nature”, Palawan’s claim to being the country’s “last frontier” gets even more compelling with the declaration of the 120,457-hectare Mt. Mantalingahan mountain range as a protected area.
DENR Secretary Lito Atienza lauded President Arroyo’s issuance of Proclamation No. 1815, which declared the Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (MMPL) in southern Palawan.
“The proclamation of Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape by President Arroyo is very laudable as it further proves the government’s sincere effort in protecting our important natural wealth,” Atienza said.
President Arroyo signed last June 23, Proclamation No. 1815 in pursuant to Republic Act 7586 or the National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.
Atienza explained that as provided for in the proclamation valid contracts, permits or licenses for the extraction or utilization of natural resources within the protected area that are already existing prior to the proclamation shall be respected until their expiration.
He also said that the areas covered by such contracts, permits or licenses which will be found not viable for development after assessment or exploration shall automatically form part of the MMPL, and that all property and private rights within the protected area already existing or vested shall likewise be respected in accordance with existing laws.
MMPL spans 36 barangays in five municipalities of Palawan, namely, Bataraza, Brooke’s Point, Sofronio Española, Quezon and Rizal.
With an altitude of 6,800 feet above sea level, Mt. Mantalingahan is considered the highest peak of southern Palawan’s central spine of mountains. As of 1998, its forest cover is estimated to be around 64% of its total land area, three-fourth of which comprises primary forest and 25% secondary forest.
Mt. Mantalingahan is also identified as a key biodiversity area because of its rich and diverse biological resources. It is also one of 11 important bird areas in the province.
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