The Puerto Princesa subterranean river National Park is one of the most important protected areas in the Philippines and is designated as a core area of Palawan Biosphere reserved. It was established as the St. Paul Subterranean National Park on March 26, 1971 by vertue of presidential proclimation 853. It was created primarily to protect and preserve the outstanding biophysical properties of the area. However, studies later concluded that the size was not sufficient the long term viability of the park. This was resolved by the signing of Presidential Proclamation 212 on November 12, 1990. The said proclamation amended the park boundery to include community buffer zones and change its name to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park to properly identify it with the area. It is now comprises an area of 22, 202 hectares including the original 3, 901 hectares as a core zones.
The Park is best known for the existence of an intensive underground river system. It also protect significant old growth tropical considered by experts to be among the most biologically diverse ecosystemin the world. So far, more than 800 plant species have been identified including some 295 trees dominated by the dipterocarp type species. The park is also a home to 90 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, 18 species of reptiles, 10 species of amphibians and a large number of insect speciesin recognition of its high conservation value, the United nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed the park to the list of World Heritage Site.
The park is managed by the City Government of Puerto Princesa under a Program of Sustainable Development Centered on Environment. It is being managed by the City Through Multisectoral Protected Area Management Board or PAMB. Its mission is "Conserve the Park into its Natural State."
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