Phl to host 4th Asean Heritage Parks meet

MANILA, Philippines - The country will host the 4th ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Conference in Tagaytay City next month, according to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

Paje said some 300 delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines would participate in the event that would bring together AHP managers, biodiversity experts, policy makers and scientists, and representatives from non-government organizations, indigenous and local communities, and international and regional organizations from Oct. 1 to 4.

ASEAN Center for Biodiversity executive director Roberto Oliva said the conference would update the participants on knowledge and tools in addressing biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation and the preservation of ASEAN’s natural heritage.

The AHP conference is held every three years. The first was held in Khao Yai National Park in Thailand in 2004; the second in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia in 2007, and in Brunei Darussalam in 2010.

There are 33 AHPs in Southeast Asia. Five are in the country which include Mt. Apo, Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Malindang natural parks, all in Mindanao; Mt. Iglit-Baco in Mindoro and  Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve in Laguna.