In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Camiguin promotes 'mountain tourism'

By Jigger Jerusalem

March 25, 2019, 7:47 pm

A farmer cultivates the flowers he planted at the foot of Mt. Hibok-Hibok in Barangay Itum, Mambajao, Camiguin. Declared as a heritage site, the Mt. Hibok-Hibok was identified as the area where the tourism department and the local government have launched the mountain tourism in the region on Saturday, March 23. (Photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)

 

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin -- This island province, known for its beaches and mountain trails, has launched another attraction that seeks to appeal to both outdoor enthusiasts and mountain trekkers.

The provincial government, the Department of Tourism-10 (DOT-10), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 10 (DENR-10) launched Saturday (March 23) the “Climb Camiguin” campaign, which is aimed at showcasing Camiguin’s chains of volcanoes -- especially Mt. Hibok-Hibok -- as a destination for adventure-seekers.

Camiguin Gov. Maria Luisa Romualdo said "Climb Camiguin" seeks to promote the province as a prime destination for mountain tourism in the country.

“The province recognizes the potential of volcano tourism for driving the socioeconomic growth and development of the local community,” Romualdo said during the launching.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the adjacent Mt. Timpoong were recently declared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Center for Biodiversity as an ASEAN heritage park.

Now officially known as the Mt. Timpoong-Mt. Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument, the two volcanoes count as among the few protected areas in the country.

The mountain range is also home to some of the endemic species of flora and fauna found in this part of Mindanao.

Some of the similar sites in the Philippines include the Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

DOT-10 Director Marie Elaine Unchuan said the region's protected areas -- Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, and the Mt. Timpoong-Mt. Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument -- have inspired the agency to launch mountain tourism in Northern Mindanao.

Unchuan said the mountain tourism is the latest addition to the products that DOT-10 has introduced, which also include packages for farm tourism, dive tourism, faith tourism, and cultural tourism.

She said one of the concerns that the tourism department has considered before launching the project was on the crafting of legislation by local governments to protect the mountains in their areas.

“Legislations should be in place, and communities must be involved in this,” she said.

Gideon Lasco of the Philippine Mountaineering Today said development must not just focus on improving the lives of people, but also on preserving the natural resources of a tourism area like Camiguin.

“The need to protect the mountains is a very valid motivation to take care of the environment. But we who climb mountains, and all our friends, have the opportunity to promote a different kind of motivation to protect the mountains, and that is because we love them,” Lasco said.

Mambajao Mayor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo called on mountain climbers to help spread the word about Camiguin’s mountains to their respective families and communities.

“Wherever you go, please speak about Camiguin and be our spokespersons to promote Camiguin and help us in our conservation of this beautiful province,” Romualdo said. (PNA)

Comments