Aurora Protected Areas
Aurora province has numerous protected areas, including several watershed forest reserves and marine protected areas. The four major protected landscapes that also function as watersheds were established under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (E-NIPAS Act).
Protected Seascapes
There are several marine protected areas (MPAs) in Aurora’s coastal areas. While none are classified solely as “Protected Seascape” under the national E-NIPAS Act in the provided search results, the following nine MPAs can be found near Aurora’s coasts:
- Baler Marine Protected Area
- Dibutunan Marine Protected Area
- Ditangol Marine Sanctuary
- Mabudo Fish Sanctuary
- Diguisit-Puntian Marine Sanctuary
- Dibut Bay Marine Protected Area
- Paltic Marine Sanctuary
- Casapsapan Sanctuary
- Kabunwangan, Olol Marine Protected Area
Protected Watersheds
The following four areas are officially designated as protected landscapes that serve as crucial watersheds, under the E-NIPAS Act:
- Amro River Protected Landscape – This area preserves the primary water source for agriculture and domestic use in the municipalities of Casiguran and Dilasag.
- Dinadiawan River Protected Landscape – This landscape protects the watershed of the Dinadiawan River in Dipaculao municipality.
- Simbahan Talagas Protected Landscape – This area preserves a major watershed in the Sierra Madre, containing the headwaters of the Simbahan and Talagas rivers in Dinalungan municipality.
- Talaytay Protected Landscape – This area in Dinalungan and Casiguran municipalities protects the Talaytay River watershed.
