Taklong Tandog Group of Islands Natural Park: A Rich Marine Biodiversity

An amazing moving water palette in different shades of blue and green verdant hills embody the Taklong Tandog Group of Islands Natural Park (TTGINP). It’s the kind of place that makes one feel the world is a beautiful, shining gem under the mighty sun.

While the lush hills and the sparkling waters of the TTGINP captivate hearts today, they belie a past marred by poaching and dynamite fishing. But bold implementation of environmental laws has put a stop to illegal practices that had almost choked the life out of this precious natural resource.

The Natural Park safeguards a vital triad of marine habitats: verdant mangrove forests, which serve as a blue carbon sanctuary for 26 species; extensive seagrass beds composed of nine species that act as critical foraging grounds; and vibrant fringing coral reefs, home to over 114 species. These waters also serve as a thriving marine nursery, frequently crossed by dolphins, endangered whale sharks (butanding), and even dugongs.

TTGINP is one of the select locations in the country where the remarkably rare Rhizophora x lamarckii can be found. The mangrove species is a hybrid of Rhizophora apiculata (Bakhaw-lalaki) and Rhizophora stylosa (Bakhaw-bato), generally found in very sporadic, low-density patches where its two parent species overlap. The combination of the species relies on localized cross-pollination rather than independent reproduction, making its distribution highly fragmented.

The fragile marine ecosystem of Taklong Tandog and the vital need to conserve its triad of marine habitats prompted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 to mobilize strict protection protocols and strategic conservation campaigns to breathe life back into its damaged waters and surrounding mangrove forests.

By empowering local communities through People’s Organizations (POs), DENR 6 established a community-based enforcement network. Constant sea patrols now serve as a strong deterrent against illegal poachers and commercial fishing vessels encroaching on the protected area. Alongside protection, science-driven restoration is at the forefront: continuous assessments track the recovery of coral health and seagrass density, while active rehabilitation breathes new life into degraded mangroves and damaged reef networks.

TTGINP stands as a sanctuary for marine biodiversity. Locals and tourists alike can relish the “sail-through” at Suba Malawig, named for the long stretch of mangrove forests flanking both sides of the waterway. It is easily one of the highlight eco-tourism activities to experience during your visit.

“By pursuing our mandates, and by working with the communities, we have created livelihoods anchored on conserving Taklong Tandog’s marine biodiversity. Sustainability is reached when nature thrives alongside the people who guard it, turning conservation into a shared heritage,” notes DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla.

Conservation has successfully catalyzed economic growth by transitioning locals from resource exploiters to active eco-guardians. Today, empowered fisherfolks earn steady incomes as eco-tour guides, boat operators, and community park rangers. Visitors can experience this thriving ecosystem firsthand through popular eco-tourism activities like the “sail-through” at the mangrove-flanked Suba Malawig waterway.

Solidifying its campaign for conservation of two of its flagship species in the protected area, the DENR 6 through PENRO Guimaras launched the island’s mascots – Banban (the lobster) and Pawpaw (the marine turtle) in 2019. These mascots serve as the cornerstones of the province’s public awareness and education campaigns.

All of these hard-earned conservation efforts paid off when the former Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR) won top honors as the 2017 Champion of Para El Mar—a premier biennial recognition program that celebrates outstanding management in Marine Protected Areas.

On July 9, 2025, the landmark enactment of RA 12225 transformed TINMR’s status into the present Taklong Tandog Group of Islands Natural Park or TTGINP. This landmark legislation institutionalizes the park’s operations within the national framework, providing a secure budget, a dedicated Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) with permanent staff, and stiffer penalties for environmental violations.

Through the shared dedication of the DENR and the Guimarasnons, this marine jewel stands as proof that protecting nature ultimately sustains us all./DENR 6