DENR-PENRO Cavite, thru its Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) and the assistance of Mr. Ruben Bala of Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, successfully spearheaded the annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in the province of Cavite, particularly within the three identified migratory bird sites namely, Brgy. San Rafael IV in Noveleta, Mouth of Imus River around the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Brgy. Binakayan, Kawit, and Brgy. Mabolo, Bacoor City.

AWC aims to monitor water bird populations and their habitats in the area. It is a monitoring tool used to determine the distribution and standard counts of birds in wetland ecosystems.

A total of 2,854 heads of varying 23 waterbird species were counted throughout the census. Results showed an increase of 76.32% of migratory birds as compared with the previous year’s AWC results.

However, it was observed that some bird species disappeared as the AWC is being conducted annually. Some of the threats that may have caused the disappearance of these bird species overtime as observed during the monitoring include the following: ongoing construction of Sangley Airport Bypass Road, a bypass connecting Kawit and Sangley point, Cavite City; ongoing construction of Noveleta Expressway (NOVELEX), a bypass road connecting Noveleta and Cavitex; continuous building of infrastructures in Brgy. Binakayan and Pulborista, Kawit, Cavite; domestic sewage and solid wastes generated by the informal settlers and nearby building industries; and bird disturbance due to motor boats used by nearby communities for fishing and transportation.

Nevertheless, the DENR-PENRO Cavite continuously conducts and promotes several initiatives and programs towards the protection and conservation of these migratory bird sites called wetlands. These wetlands are important bird habitats because birds use them for breeding, nesting, and rearing young.

Some of PENRO Cavite’s ways in managing and preserving the wetlands ecosystems are: regular clean-up activities to lessen and remove the wastes coming from various sources; partnership building with various organizations and groups and exchanging ideas and concepts to further protect these ecosystems; and extensive Information Education Campaigns (IEC) towards environmental protection and conservation.

PENRO Cavite encourages the general public to take actions and be part of the solution, contributing to environmental protection and conservation. One’s simple ways of helping the environment could have an extensive ripple effect when done consistently. ###