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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The proposed Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park is composed of two mountain ranges with numerous creeks all draining towards the Saltan River, which divides the two ranges. It is characterized by high mountain ranges with steep slopes and rugged, rocky terrain. Mt Sapocoy, which is located on the western boundary of the park overlooking the Ilocos and Cagayan Valleys, is the highest peak at c.2,456 m. The lowest point in the park is at Balbalan in the eastern portion, with an elevation of c.700 m.
There is very little information available on the birds of the extensive forests that remain in and around this IBA, but they are likely to support many of the threatened and restricted-range birds of the Luzon Endemic Bird Area. The avifauna in the montane forests may prove to be comparable to that of Mt Pulog National Park (PH004) further south in the Cordillera Central.
Non-bird biodiversity: Some Luzon-endemic mammals, including the northern Luzon giant cloud rat Phloeomys pallidus, may be found on this IBA. The smooth-fingered narrow-mouthed frog Kaloula baleata kalingenses and the poorly-known endemic Luzon narrow-mouthed frog Kaloula rigida have been recorded there, as have two globally threatened butterflies, Papilio benguetanus and P. chikae, both restricted on the Cordillera mountains.
The proposed Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park is composed of two mountain ranges with numerous creeks all draining towards the Saltan River, which divides the two ranges. It is characterized by high mountain ranges with steep slopes and rugged, rocky terrain. Mt Sapocoy, which is located on the western boundary of the park overlooking the Ilocos and Cagayan Valleys, is the highest peak at c.2,456 m. The lowest point in the park is at Balbalan in the eastern portion, with an elevation of c.700 m.
Most of the park is forested, mainly with pine forest and montane forest, including mossy forest, with limited areas of lowland dipterocarp forest. There are some cultivated areas, communal pasture and settlements within the park. The numerous creeks in the park are an important source of water for domestic use by local people and for the irrigation of rice terraces.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Kalinga-Apayao was found to have had the least reduction of its old growth stands of all of the provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) during recent surveys of forest cover. The forests there are believed to have been protected by their remoteness, and to some extent because the adverse peace and order situation in the province has helped to discourage the establishment of commercial timber harvesting operations.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Surveys are required in this IBA, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats, and whether it supports important populations of threatened and restricted-range birds and other biodiversity.
Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park was declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 1357 dated December 9, 1974. It is proposed as an initial component of NIPAS under the category of Natural Biotic Area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park and proposed extension (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/balbalasang-balbalan-national-park-and-proposed-extension-iba-philippines on 23/12/2024.
