On May 31, 1996, the Philippines and Malaysia signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) declaring the Turtle Islands as Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA).
The TIHPA is composed of six islands designated by the Philippines: Boaan, Langaan, Great Bakkungaan, Lihiman, Taganak, and Baguan; and three islands designated by Malaysia; Palau Selingaan, Palau Gulisaan, and Palau Bakkungaan Kechil.
See location map of the islands below.
Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is regarded as the only major nesting ground, with more than 1,000 nesters annually of the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), in the whole ASEAN Region.
It was proclaimed as Wildlife Sanctuary under Proclamation No. 171 on August 26, 1999 and identified as Extremely High (EH) for biodiversity conservation.
Worldwide, marine turtle populations have critically declined, prompting the declaration of all species of marine turtle as endangered.
