Mindoro’s Sablayan town named Unesco biosphere reserve

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June 11, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The town of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro has been named world biosphere reserve during the 38th session of the UNESCO International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program in Hernandarias, Paraguay.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO announced the designation during the observance of World Environment Day on June 5.

The Matibay na Bayan ng Sablayan Biosphere Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot, where some of the Philippines’ most important terrestrial and marine ecosystems are protected.

“Sablayan stretches across Occidental Mindoro from mountain forests above 2,200 meters to coral reefs and open sea,” UNESCO said.

The town is known for the Apo Reef Natural Park, home to the largest contiguous coral reef system in the Philippines, as well as the critically endangered tamaraw in its upland forests.

UNESCO cited Sablayan’s surge in ecotourism from 34,000 in 2022 to 153,000 in 2024, commending the town’s conservation efforts while paving opportunities for development.

Sablayan is the fifth global biosphere reserve in the country after Puerto Galera, Palawan, Albay and Apayao.

“This international recognition is a testament to the community’s resilience, sustainable development and tireless conservation efforts,” the Department of Tourism said as it welcomed the designation yesterday.

Sablayan joined other biosphere reserves in Albania, Algeria, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Canada, Iran, Mongolia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Portugal, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, or 797 sites across 145 countries.