"Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines"

Palawan is known at the "Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines," a distinction bestowed upon the province because of its highly diverse environment that remains relatively pristine in the midst of rapid changes and economic growth. The province boasts of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the pristine Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in the Sulu Sea. The province also has seven protected areas, declared by the Philippine government In recognition of their biological importance as habitants of rare and endangered species of plants and animals. The seven protected areas are:
· Coron Island Protected Area in the Municipality of Coron with its seven lakes.
· Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Municipality of Busuanga known as the first successful wildlife translocation experiment in Asia.
· El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area covering the municipalities of El Nido and Taytay in northern Palawan.
· Malampaya Sound Land and Seascape Protected Area in the Municipality of Taytay -ecologically and economically important both as a watershed and a rich fishing ground and the habitat of Bottle-nosed and Irrawady dolphins.
· Saint Paul Subterranean River National Park in Puerto Princesa City is among the longest navigable underground rivers in the world
· Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in Sulu Sea home to 400 species of fish and bird species.
· Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary near the Municipality of Brooke's Point in southern Palawan. The islet is a migratory and wintering ground for shorebirds and seabirds.

Sustainable development of Palawan's terrestrial and marine resources serves as the framework and main strategy of the province's development efforts. Together with government agencies, non-government organizations, the tourism private sector and the communities strives to maintain Palawan's unique ecological system for the benefit of the present and future generations of Palaweños

Sources: Palawan Provincial Information OfficePalawan Council for Sustainable Development