Paoay Lake Protected Landscape
Located in the municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte, this parcel of land has been declared as a Paoay Lake Protected Landscape under the National Integrated Protected Areas System last 2025 through Republic Act 12230. PLNP was established primarily for the conservation and protection of its natural resources.
Paoay Lake has also been identified as one of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) sites in Region I and serves as habitat for a variety of migratory and resident bird species, along with other flora and fauna species.
Paoay Lake serves as the Region’s largest and most accessible freshwater body. The freshwater lake ecosystem provides habitat for migratory and resident avian species; and is also an important resting and refueling stop for migratory birds using the East Asian-Australasian Migratory Flyway.
PLPL serves as the home for at least 57 plant species across 50 genera and 26 families of which 17 species are Philippine-endemic, Six(6) species considered threatened based on DAO No. 2017-11
In terms of Fauna:
• PLPL hosts around 25 migratory bird species from China, Japan, Siberia etc., e.g. Gliding Brahminy
Kite, Ospreys, Great Cormorant, Black-winged Stilt. It is the only place in Northern Luzon where massive flocks of the Philippine duck (Anas luzonica-listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN) can be observed;
• Different species of waterbirds and terrestrial birds;
• Endemic fish species e.g. shortfin eel, goby fish, mudfish and silver perch; and
• About 27 species of zooplankton: 11 rotifers, 8 cladocerans and 8 copepods
