| The El Nido Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area |
| Inside The El Nido Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area |
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- The El Nido Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area is located on the
north western tip of the mainland of Palawan. In 1991 the Government of
the Philippines proclaimed Bacuit Bay as a marine reserve. In 1998, the
protected area was expanded to include terrestrial ecosystems and
portions of the municipality of Taytay. It is now known as El Nido
Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, which covers over 36,000
hectares of land and 54,000 hectares of marine waters. It contains
towering limestone cliffs, beaches, mangroves, clear waters, unique
forests over limestone and neat farmlands. It is home to 5 species of
mammals, including the Malayan Pangolin and 16 bird species endemic to
Palawan including the threatened Palawan Peacock Pheasant, the Palawan
Hornbill and Palawan Scops Owl. Bacuit bay is also home to the dugong
dolphins and marine turtles, many of which are threatened species.
Colorful coral reef fishes are found here. Some of these are the
butterfly fishes, parrot fishes, wrasses, trigger fishes, angel fishes,
surgeon fishes, damsel fishes, emperors, snappers, groupers and rabbit
fishes.
- In 1984, the then Ministry of Natural Resources issued
Administrative Order No 518 establishing a 36, 000 hectare area in
North-western Palawan as a Marine Turtle Sanctuary. The El Nido Marine
Reserve was expanded by virtue of Administrative Order No. 14 Series of
1992, upon recommendations of the El Nido and Taytay Municipal Mayors
to address livelihood opportunities for fishers. Proclamation No. 32
dated October 8, 1998 was passed to Congress for deliberation. Since
1989, several different government and non-government programs and
projects have been introduced in the area.
- In 1996, the El Nido
Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area was selected as one of the eight
Protected Areas within the Philippines, to be included in the National
Integrated Protected Areas Programme. This was financed through a grant
from the European Union with a progressively increasing contribution
from the Philippines Government. The overall objective of the program
is to help protect, conserve and manage natural habitats and
biodiversity.
- In 1989, because of a " Debt for Nature Swap "
with the WWF, the El Nido, Bacuit Bay area became officially called a
Turtle Sanctuary. Over the years, with shifting Government bodies &
various lobbies for international grants, the UN came to Mother Natures
rescue again. With the annual financial support of $US300,000 by the
European Commission, the Department of Natural Resources established
the " El Nido Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area Management Board "
& a small (40 US cents) daily conservation fee is required to enjoy
our reserve. Cash donations are also encouraged for those who can
afford a little more.
- The uniqueness of El Nido Reserve as
compared with similar sites in the Philippines is that it partakes of
the fact that the flora and fauna of the island of Palawan has
affinities that are closer with that of the island of Borneo than those
of the rest of the Philippines. This is due to the geologically, the
island of Palawan is connected to the island of Borneo and hence to
mainland Southeast Asia as late as the Pleistocene Epoch. Due also to
the relative isolation of the island from the rest of the country, its
waters are pristine.
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