CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon has recorded the presence of the vulnerable Biak-na-Bato Limestone Frog (Platymantis biak) in the Biak-na-Bato National Park (BNBNP) in Bulacan.
Dennis Vergara, head of DENR community office in Baliwag, reported that the species was documented during a Biodiversity Monitoring System-Field Diary activity conducted with personnel of the Protected Area Management Office and interns from Bulacan State University to assess wildlife populations and habitat conditions within the protected area.
“The limestone frogs were observed in Suklib Kabayo Cave, perched above depressions in a cave pillar approximately 69.17 meters from the its main entrance,” Vergara added.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo stressed that the recorded presence of the species highlights the ecological value of BNBNP, particularly its cave and limestone ecosystems that serve as habitat for endemic wildlife.
“The presence of the Biak-na-Bato Limestone Frog inside the protected area reflects the ecological importance of our caves and forest ecosystems. This serves as a reminder that our conservation efforts must remain steadfast to ensure the survival of vulnerable and endemic wildlife species,” Pablo said.
(Platymantis biak)is a terrestrial limestone frog endemic to Luzon. It is commonly found in secondary growth lowland forests, on limestone rocks near cave entrances and exits, and deep within cave systems.
The species is listed as Vulnerable under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, and classified as Near Threatened under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat threats. (UnliNews Online)
