Forest in Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park
Balbalasang–Balbalan National Park (also known as Mount Balbalasang National Park) is a Philippine protected area in the municipality of Balbalan, Kalinga, in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The park is 1,338 hectares in size and is centered on Mount Balbalasang in the same-named barangay near the provincial border with Abra. The park dubbed the "green heart of the Cordillera", represents the region's rich biodiversity and landscape, with some of the most intact pine forests and endemic flora and fauna.
The park, an important center for biodiversity conservation, is home to 89 bird species, 39 of which are endemic to the Philippines and two of which are only found in Luzon, the Isabela oriole (Oriolus isabellae) and flame-breasted fruit dove (Ptilinopus marchei). While no recorded species are critical or endangered in the park, four bird species are vulnerable (2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), including the whiskered pitta (Pitta Kochi), Luzon water-redstart (Ryacornis bicolor), and Luzon jungle flycatcher (Rhinomyas insignis). In addition, 23 mammal species, 13 amphibian species, 13 reptile species, and 25 earthworm species have been documented. Among them are the Philippine warty pig, Luzon striped rat, Northern Luzon giant cloud rat, Kalinga narrow-mouth toad, and Luzon narrow-mouthed frog. Two of these mammal species are listed as endangered, namely the Luzon pygmy fruit bat and the Luzon bushy-tailed cloud rat. At elevations above 1,000 m., the park consists of hardwood, pine, and mossy forests. A species of Rafflesia flower has also been discovered in the park.
Location: 92P6+C6P, Pasil, Kalinga, Philippines
