The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau spearheaded the annual celebration of the World Wetlands Day with this year’s theme, “Wetlands and Tourism.” February 2 of every year marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. This was also declared as National Wetlands Day by virtue of Proclamation No. 74 dated February 2, 1999 whereby all sectors of society in the country are urged to conduct activities to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular.

The celebration started on January 30 through an opening program conducted at the DENR Central Office during the flag raising ceremony. A short message that included an overview of the celebration was delivered by Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim which was followed by a message delivered by DENR Undersecretary Analiza R. Teh in behalf of DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje. To check awareness of DENR employees on wetlands and its importance, Ms. Meriden E. Maranan, Chief of Nature Recreation and Extension Divison, gave a trivia quiz to DENR employees and those who answered the questions correctly were given caps, t-shirts, and bags as prizes. Then, Usec. Analiza R. Teh, Assistant Secretary Corazon C. Davis, and Dir. Lim formally opened the exhibit or public viewing of DENR employees and invited guests.

The exhibit was prepared by PAWB in coordination with other DENR offices namely River Basin Control Office, Manila Bay Coordinating Office, Integrated Coastal Resources Management Office, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Laguna Lake Development Authority, DENR-NCR, and DENR Region. PAWB presented its vision and mission emphasizing its mandate of managing and conserving wetlands. On the other hand, the other institutions showcased their activities contributing to wetland management and tourism in their respective area.

Aside from being celebrated at the DENR Central Office, the World Wetlands Day was also observed nationwide through the participation of DENR Regional Offices in conducting relevant activities. The following are the activities undertaken in the regions.

The Department of Tourism also joined the celebration by hanging of streamers in their respective offices from DOT Central Office in Manila to the DOT Regional Offices nationwide. ( Photo courtesy of Emie T. Ramoso)