Silliman expands island study

Malaomawan Island, a private, protected area occupant of the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape, today announced that Silliman University, an academic institution that focuses on terrestrial and marine conservation, returns to Malaomawan for expanded scientific studies of the Island’s biodiversity and its important role as an isolated wildlife refuge.

Professor Leandro Cabrera, Silliman University Biologist for Tropical Conservation Studies and Malaomawan Scientific Study Team Leader, said, “We return to Malaomawan following valuable insights from our 2024 study, which documented the Island’s high biodiversity and as the natural habitat for numerous endangered and threatened Philippine national wildlife.

In 2025, the team returns to conduct a larger study, including of the avifauna, herpetofauna, and marine invertebrates, to add to the existing knowledge, provide additional baseline data for future ecological research, and develop guidelines and strategies for the conservation of the biodiversity of the Island.”

“We are delighted to welcome Silliman University back to Malaomawan, in a continued drive for scientific data, providing guidelines for the strict protection and conservation of Malaomawan’s wildlife and ecosystem,” said Atty. Rolando L. Villones, Corporate Secretary of Malaomawan Island.

“We are committed to Malaomawan’s conservation and look forward to our continued partnership with Silliman University, in support of the holistic plan to conserve and protect Philippine natural heritage.”

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 (FNIPAS) 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.