DENR, PAMB inaugurate P1.5-M ecotourism facilities in Tumauini town

The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for Tumauini Watershed Natural Park (TWNP) chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has inaugurated today the improved ecotourism facilities to boost local economy in Tumauini, Isabela.

 

TWNP is a legislated protected area by virtue of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems Act. It has a total area of 6,509 hectares covering six barangays.

 

DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan and Assistant Regional Director Marcos Dacanay, Mayor Arnold Bautista, and other members of the PA governing board led the inauguration.

 

The P 1.5 million worth picnic sheds and ticket booth built adjacent to the Magoli River were initiated by the DENR Region 2 through funding support from the Biodiversity Management Bureau.

 

In her message, Director Bambalan emphasized ecotourism as one of the most sustainable enterprises in a protected area.

"With ecological tourism, the local government and the community will be encouraged to protect the area because it is their source of livelihood," she said.

 

She requested the local chief executive to mobilize barangay residents to grow trees which will contribute to the sustainability of the watershed surrounding the park.

 

The PAMB chairperson also urged the village officials to strictly enforce health and safety protocols and to ensure that proper solid waste management is implemented.

 

As their counterpart, Mayor Bautista discussed his plans for the construction of restrooms and the renovation of the tourism office building.

 

He said tourism development is on top of the priority projects of the local government this year.

 

Aside from the Magoli River, a primary tributary of the Pinacanauan River that drains to the Cagayan River, other natural attractions in the park are falls, rocks formation, caves and limestones.

 

Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Officer Dionicio Deundo said under the National Greening Program, about 300 hectares of plantations were established in the area.

 

The blessing was officiated by Rev. Fr. Carlos Villanueva. It was also attended by DENR provincial head Federico Cauilan Jr., Conservation and Development Chief Enrique Pasion, Finance Chief Rommel Valdez, CENR Officer Deundo and Protected Area Superintendent Luz Soriano, and some officials of the said municipality.#