Malaomawan Island's Ongoing Conservation Program Restricts Access to Tourists

Silliman University Reports High Biodiversity at Malaomawan Island, a Habitat for Endangered and Threatened Species

Castilla, Sorsogon, PHILIPPINES, January 30, 2025 – Malaomawan Island (“Malaomawan” or the “Island”), a privately owned island, located within the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS) today announced that Silliman University, an academic institution that focuses on terrestrial and marine conservation, has released its report on the avifaunal and terrestrial assessment of Malaomawan, noting the Island’s high biodiversity and its unique and important role as a habitat for numerous endangered and threatened species. The findings of the avifaunal team of Silliman University follows a comprehensive review of Malaomawan’s avifaunal and terrestrial population, furnishing clear scientific data in support of crafting guidelines and strategies for the strict protection and conservation of the entire Island and its inhabitants.     

Atty. Rolando L. Villones, Corporate Secretary of Malaomawan Island, said, “We warmly welcome the report of Silliman University biologists and researchers highlighting Malaomawan’s high biodiversity and its role as a habitat for endangered and threatened species, the preservation of which is important to our country’s legacy.  We look forward to leveraging Silliman University’s research and scientific data to spearhead a drive for environmental education, so that we can strictly protect and conserve the entire Malaomawan Island’s wildlife and ecosystem, in alignment with the Philippines’ holistic plan to conserve and protect our natural heritage.”

About the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape

The Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS) is a 414,244-hectare protected area in the Philippines that is known for its biodiversity, wildlife and marine resources.  The TBPPS is the second largest seascape in the Philippines and legislated as a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018, Republic Act 11038.  The ENIPAS Act of 2018 recognizes areas of ecological value that may be incorporated into a holistic plan to conserve and protect Philippine national heritage.  Private entity rights within the protected area are protected and respected in accordance with existing laws and harmonized, as far as practicable, with the provisions of the Act.  The TBPPS is located within the provinces of Albay, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur.  Marine species found in the TBPPS include whale sharks, thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays, dugong, various species of sea turtles, coral reefs, and the globally rare megamouth shark.

About Silliman University

Silliman University is a private research university established in 1901.  Situated between the Cuernos de Negros mountains and the Bohol Sea, including a campus in Ticao Island, Silliman has been a leading academic institution in terrestrial and marine conservation. Silliman University’s Center for Tropical Conservation Studies and Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences leverage relevant research and environmental education as a catalyst for a better understanding of biodiversity conservation and sustainability, including the enhancement and preservation of wildlife and its ecosystems.

About Malaomawan Island 

Malaomawan Island is a privately owned island and is within the TBPPS under the ENIPAS Act of 2018, Republic Act 11038.  Malaomawan Island’s conservation programs are respected and harmonized with the ENIPAS Act of 2018, as well as the TBPPS management plan.  Malaomawan Island proprietors are actively engaged in biodiversity conservation activities targeting all ecosystems in the island, including avifauna, sandbar, coral reefs, natural fishpond, and marine wildlife.  For more information, please visit https://www.malaomawanisland.com/