Naujan Lake, Now 5th Largest Lake in the Philippines

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) – Located in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Naujan Lake National Park (NLNP) is now the 5th largest lake in the Philippines.

NLNP is surrounded by four municipalities: Naujan, Victoria, Socorro and Pola.

It can be recalled that by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 335 signed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos on January 28, 1968, NLNP was declared as national park.

Based on the record of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial Office here, NLNP has an area of 21,655 hectares. It is also recognized now as a Wetland of International Importance and as site network of East Asian and Australian Flyway.

According to Haribon Foundation, NLNP is a home to many species of wildlife, both terrestrial and aquatic. In fact, a total of 159 terrestrial vertebrates were recorded: 105 species of birds, 21 species of mammals, and 33 species of reptiles and amphibians.

Likewise, the lake serves as wetland habitat supporting the endemic and threatened Philippine Ducks and a globally-significant population of Tufted Ducks, as well as migratory waterbirds such as Terns, Herons, Egrets and others.

Other endemic and threatened birds were recorded in or near the protected area such as Mindoro Imperial Pigeon, Mindoro Bleeding-heart Pigeon, Black-hooded Coucal and Mindoro Hornbill.

Moreover, the endemic Philippine Crocodile was originally discovered near the lake. The lake is also known for its endemic species of goby (“biya”). It also harbours 24 fish species, 11 of which are migratory. The surrounding areas of the lake, covered with a mixture of forests, scrubs and grassland vegetation consist of 443 indigenous and 74 exotic species, many of which are threatened or potentially endangered.

In the preservation and protection of the lake, the Philippines Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience or better known as B+WISER now helps improve in the management of NLNP. B+WISER believes that NLNP provides a number of ecosystem services that are important in sustaining economic development in the whole province of Oriental Mindoro.

Aside from being a feeding ground and habitat of various flora and fauna, the lake supports fisheries, irrigation and transportation. The swamps and marshes found within perform valuable ecological functions, including serving as silt and pollution traps.

To help further conserve this key protected area, B+WISER is currently working with the DENR, local government units (LGUs) and other partners to better manage Naujan Lake National Park and surrounding sub-watersheds. (DENR/LTC/LBR/PIA-Mimaropa/Calapan)