Photo Release

Villar pushes declaration of Tugbo Natural Biotic Area as protected area: Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, pushes for the approval of House Bill No. 9488, which seeks to declare Tugbo Natural Biotic Area in Masbate as a protected area. During the hybrid plenary session Tuesday, January 25, 2022, Villar said the 255-hectare Tugbo Natural Biotic Area is a primary water source and home to various endemic flora and fauna, including vulnerable wild bird species. She added that while there are 107 areas protected under Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System Act, “there are still numerous sites in the country that have yet to be given protected status by legislative action in order to ensure their conservation.” (Screen grab/ Senate PRIB)