Manila, Aug. 21 -- The Philippines' Mount Balatukan Range Natural Park in Mindanao is close to becoming the 70th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Heritage Park.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) on Thursday said the nature park, alongside Cambodia's Prek Toal Ramsar Site, had been endorsed for the designation and is now for "ad referendum approval" of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment.

"This is a testament to the region's commitment to preserving and restoring its immense natural wealth by strengthening connectivity, improving management, sharing best practices, capacity building, and the development of innovative awareness-raising activities," said ACB Executive Director Jerome Montemayor.

Mount Bala...