QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Migratory birds often stop briefly along wetlands, swamps, marshes, intertidal and coastal areas, rivers, ponds, lakes, and forests to rest and refuel for their onward journey.

In the busy metropolis such as Metro Manila, migratory birds such as Rufous night heron, little egret, grey heron, and black-crowned night heron, among others found refuge at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), also known as the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park.

The influx of migratory birds in the country is expected every September. They often return to their breeding grounds in March to continue with their northward migration.

The presence of migratory birds is one of the key indicators that our wetlands, coastlines, and forests are healthy and thriving.

The Las Piñas–Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), also known as the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park, is a protected area at the coasts of the cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque in Metro Manila, Philippines. The entire wetland is a declared Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention of UNESCO.

The islands were proclaimed as a Critical Habitat by the Philippine government through Presidential Proclamation No. 1412 on April 22, 2007.

 It covered 175 hectares covering the two interconnected islands where important bird habitats such as mangroves, beach forests, lagoons, and mudflats are found.

 It was listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance on March 15, 2013. Upon the enactment of the Republic Act No. 11038 (Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Act) on June 22, 2018, the LPPCHEA was legislated as a National Protected Area covering 181 hectares. (denr/pia-ncr)