BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—A visit to the Bangan Hill National Park in Barangay Magsaysay here sparked an advocacy to involve barangays in the development, preservation and promotion of ecotourism sites in the province.
For provincial board member Victor Gines, also the Liga ng mga Barangay president, exploring other potential tourism sites in the province, and the needed protection and preservation efforts to do so, demands the help of the barangays.
“I came to realize the importance of starting ecotourism awareness and preservation in the barangays after I saw this grim reality, where potential tourism sites are indiscriminately destroyed,” Gines said.
He brought forth his advocacy to the provincial board, proposing a measure that will involve the participation of barangay officials in identifying potential ecotourism attractions in their communities.
Initially, barangay officials of Cabuaan in Bayombong, Ocapon in Villaverde town and Maddiangat in Quezon town responded to his call for ecotourism advocacy, preservation and promotion.
Three caves have been visited and inspected in Bayombong and Villaverde towns, while a waterfall has been reported in Quezon town.
Gines, along with the members of the Provincial Tourism Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and several media men inspected the ecotourism sites.
The DENR, he said, came into the picture to document the potential ecotourism attractions.
Gines said these spots and other attractions in the province will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the crafting of corresponding measures for their protection and preservation.
“This will not only involve and cover caves and waterfalls but also other potential tourism spots that need such action,” he added.
Initial exploration of ecotourism spots and attractions is now being undertaken by Gines in collaboration with the barangay officials to find out more of Nueva Vizcaya’s hidden gems.
He said the move intends to lay down the basics in the protection, preservation and promotion of the province’s ecotourism sites.
According to Gines, these natural gems will also be brought to Congress for their possible declaration as protected areas.
“Once they will be declared as such, funds will be within reach for their protective and preservation use. Our barangay officials will also be educated on the potentials and the benefits that these tourism sites can give to their community and therefore, they should protect them,” Gines added.
