CEBU CITY, Cebu, Feb. 1 (PIA) --The Department of Environment and Natural Resources 7 (DENR7) urged the local government units (LGUs), communities, and stakeholders in Central Visayas to help protect and conserve the remaining wetlands in the region.

Their call is in line with this year’s observance of World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 with the theme "Wetland Restoration." 

The agency is asking for public support, especially from communities near wetlands, to contribute to the preservation of these areas, as it has a significant impact on mitigating the effects of climate change.

"Ang mga wetlands naa siyay mga ecosystem services nga gihatag sa atoa like water and food. Naa puy regulating and cultural services sama sa pag mitigate sa erosions and floods," said DENR7 DMO-II of Conservation and Development Division Reginaldo Bueno during the Kapihan sa PIA program on Feb, 1.

"So let us do our share to protect and conserve our remaining wetlands in Central Visayas and enjoy its services and functions, and pag maintain pud sa health sa atong mga wetlands," added Bueno.

According to DENR7, there are 316 identified protected inland wetlands in the country with 56 in Central Visayas.

Among the known ones in the region are Danao Lake in Camotes Island, Danao Lake in Daanbantayan, and the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Olango Island.

The agency also encouraged the LGUs in the region to enact policies that would help support the restoration of these protected wetlands.

"Ang wetlands naa siyay services and functions nga gihatag sa ato. So I hope sa LGU nga part, we do our share by enabling policies para ma-preserve what is left sa atong mga wetlands and to restore what can be restored," said Protected Area Coordinator of Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Lorenz Gideon Esmero. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)