Ninety-four more areas which included popular tourism destinations as well as internationally-recognized critical zones were placed under “government protection” as mandated in the amended law on environmental protection signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Among the 94 new areas are three Ramsar Sites: the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, Agusan Marsh (Agusan del Sur) and Olango Island (Cebu). Also protected now as national parks are popular tourist spots in the country including Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island in Bohol, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Mt. Mayon in Albay, Taal Volcano in Batangas, Hinulugang Taktak in Rizal, and Palaui Island in Cagayan.

Ramos-Araneta, M. (2018, July 7). 94 named protected areas. Manila Standard, p. A6.