National Geological Monuments (NGM) is a declaration bestowed on landforms and features within Philippines possessing geological significance and uniqueness, as evaluated by the National Committee on Geological Sciences.
Background
The National Committee on Geological Sciences was created via Executive order no. 625 on October 8, 1980. This committee is under the Office of the President of the Philippines, which consists of 21 government agencies headed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Among the committee's programs was the establishment of National Geological Monuments, a declaration on landforms and geological features within the Philippines with high scientific, educational or aesthetic value worthy of protection, preservation and conservation.
List As of 2024, there are 7 declared National Geological Monuments in the Philippines. + NGM name Location Date of declaration Montalban Gorge Rodriguez, Rizal September 10, 1983 Taal Volcano Batangas Province June 18, 1988 Ilocos Norte Sand dunes Laoag, Ilocos Norte November 26, 1993 Chocolate Hills Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, Bohol Island June 18, 1988 Hundred Islands Alaminos city, Pangasinan September 14, 2001 St. Paul Limestone Formation Puerto Princesa, Palawan December 11, 2003 Loon- Maribojoc Geological Monument Loon and Maribojoc, Bohol Island May 14, 2015 Biri Rock Formation Biri, Northern Samar June 4, 2025
Other considered sites
Asik Asik Falls in Alamada, Cotabato
Threats and controversies
In 2015, the declaration of the Loon-Maribojoc Geological monument as National Geologic Monument was opposed by the local government of Loon, inciting debates on the legality of the DENR in declaring the site as such In 2024, a Facebook post from Captain's Peak Resort went viral for its modification and seeming destruction of parts of the protected area of the Chocolate Hills National park, prompting increased public scrutiny. Investigations revealed more resorts of a similar nature. This resulted in the suspension of some Bohol mayors and other local officials.
References