The Agusan Marsh is a nationally proclaimed protected area and recognized internationally in 1999, through its inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Significance.

To sustain the development within the area, the provincial government initiated the formation of the AMDA in 2000, by virtue of Executive Order No. 22, Series of 2000. AMDA's main objective is to sustain the integrated area development and management within the marsh.

The alliance aims to institutionalize multi-stakeholder collaboration in the management of the marsh to conserve and ensure sustainable use of its resources as well as promote the improvement of the socio-economic condition of the local communities. The framework would also make it easier for the provincial and municipal governments to align their programs, projects and activities and to support the management plan through local legislative support and provision of necessary infrastructure support.

In 2002, there was a proposed legislation expanding the proclaimed area of the Agusan Marsh Sanctuary from 19,019 hectares to 40,868 hectares. In support of this proposal, consultations were carried out as well as a resurvey and validation of the proposed area for expansion.

The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary Management Plan follows a zoning strategy that allows for a flexible approach to management by dividing the area into units. Site-specific management interventions can be implemented that respond to various need within the marsh ecosystem. The main objective of management is to enhance biodiversity and increase the ecological value of the marsh, while addressing the social, economic and cultural concerns of the communities residing within the marsh.

The marsh is located in the middle Agusan River sub-basin, at the heart of east-central Mindanao in Agusan del Sur province. The marsh covers the municipalities of San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Veruela, Loreto, Talacogon, La Paz, Santa Josefa.

The marsh contains nearly 15% of the country's fresh water resources in the form of swamp forests with an area of 14,835 hectares during dry months and 19,196 hectares during rainy months. From December to March, the marsh floods and receives an annual precipitation of 2,000 millimeters in the northern part to over 3,600 millimeters in the southern basins.

Due to the swamp's complex ecosystem, its huge size and unique diversity of fauna (e.g. 200 species of birds, 10 species of fish, 41 species of reptiles, 10 species of mammals, and 65 species of butterflies), and flora (31 species of flowering plants and ferns) and with the presence of a number of endangered species, the place is considered a very good place for educational tours and scientific studies.

The full report is available and the map.