Palawan Overview

Palawan is so special that in 1991, the Philippine Congress recognizing Palawan’s environment as very critical passed a special law for Palawan through Republic Act 7611 or  The Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act, which became the fundamental law governing Palawan’s natural resources and its framework for development direction. Its strategy for implementation is the delineation of the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) composed of the terrestrial or forest lands, the marine or coastal area, and the tribal or ancestral lands. In the SEP manuscript, it was actually mentioned that: “many mine sites straddle major catchments or are dangerously close to ecologically fragile shore and in-shore of marine zones”.  This SEP is administered by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development- PCSD. The chairman of the board is Palawan's Governor Jose C. Alvarez.

El Nido-Corong Corong 

"Palawan is composed of the long and narrow Palawan Island, plus a number of other smaller islands surrounding the main island. The Calamianes Group of Islands to the Northeast consists of Busuanga Island, Coron Island and Culion Island. Durangan Island almost touches the westernmost part of Palawan Island, while Balabac Island is located off the southern tip, separated from Borneo by the Balabac Strait. In addition, Palawan covers the Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea. The disputed Spratly Islands, located a few hundred kilometres to the west, are considered part of Palawan by the Philippines, and is locally called the "Kalayaan Group of Islands."

Palawan's almost 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of irregular coastline are dotted with roughly 1,780 islands and islets, rocky coves, and sugar-white sandy beaches. It also harbors a vast stretch of virgin forests that carpet its chain of mountain ranges. The mountain heights average 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in altitude, with the highest peak rising to 6,843 feet (2,086 m) at Mount Mantalingahan. The vast mountain areas are the source of valuable timber. The terrain is a mix of coastal plain, craggy foothills, valley deltas, and heavy forest interspersed with
riverine arteries that serve as irrigation." From Wikipedia on Palawan

Palawan's Natural Bounty

Scaly anteater or pangolin.
Found only in Palawan
and is the most poached
animal in the world.

2 UNESCO Heritage sites - Tubbataha reef and Puerto Princesa Underground river

105 out of the 475 threatened species in the Philippines. 42 are Palawan endemics.

379 species of corals; 82% of the total coral species recorded in the entire country

90% of the known mangrove species in the country, distributed in 44,500 hectares of mangrove forests, the highest remaining mangrove cover in the Philippines.

Palawan bearcat.

89% of total reef fish recorded in the country

4 of 5 marine turtles

15 of the 25 marine mammals in the country

18 endemic freshwater fish

26 endemic amphibians

16 endemic terrestrial mammals

69 species of reptiles

Binunsalian Bay, Puerto Princesa

279 species of birds  

15 lakes, 42 ponds, 44 waterfalls, 72 natural springs, 9 mineral springs, 28 principal rivers, 43 streams, and 165 creeks identified as potential sources of water for domestic consumption and irrigation

At least 1,700 plant species

379 species of corals found in Palawan and 82% of the total coral species recorded in the country.

Other sites:

Save Palawan:
 https://pnni.wordpress.com/palawan-biodiversity-facts-and-figures/