For several days in January 2026, the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) recorded more than 26,000 migratory birds passing by the Province of Capiz.
This consisted of over 40 species of birds dotting the wetlands in Roxas City and four municipalities: Ivisan, Sapian, Pilar, and Pontevedra.
The AWC was conducted by a team led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-Capiz) and its Community Environment and Office (CENRO) based in Mambusao.
Among the sites surveyed for the AWC last January 6-9 was along the Palina River that covered Barangays Cagay, Barra, Talon, and Balijuagan in Roxas City.
Others were:
– Ivisan: Barangays Cudian and Agustin Navarra
– Sapian: Barangays Poblacion, Dapdapan, and Lonoy
– Pontevedra: Barangays Intongcan, Agbanog, Bantigue, and Gabuc
– Pilar: Barangay Dulangan
A total of 16,748 individual water birds were recorded in the sites of Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian.
It was in Sitio Talingting, Brgy. Poblacion of the Municipality of Sapian that the AWC
recorded the most number of birds at an estimated 11,547.
There were also more than 9,900 birds spotted at six sites in Roxas City and Pontevedra.
DENR-Capiz Chief Ernest C. Federiso said the Capiz wetlands are still rich that gave “migratory visitors a good supply of food for the next leg of their journey”.
DENR PENRO Capiz and CENRO Mambusao acknowledged the roles played by the local government units (LGUs) of Roxas City, Ivisan, Sapian, Pilar, and Pontevedra.
The AWC was also supported by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Roxas City and David G. Quimpo of the Haribon Foundation.
