With the aim of providing socio-economic benefits to communities through ecotourism industry, the protected area management board (PAMB) of Tumauini Watershed Natural Park (TWNP) in Isabela will be hiring ecotourism laborers following the approval of the park’s work and financial plan for 2023.

 

Among the personnel to be hired in the protected area (PA) are ecotourism aides, park laborer, administrative aide, and lifeguards.

 

“These ecotourism aides will be of great help in assisting visitors and maintaining cleanliness in the ecotourism sites within the TWNP,” said Protected Area Superintendent Tito Mangantulao.

 

In a recent PAMB meeting, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) emphasized that engaging community partners in ecotourism livelihood can also help in the protection and conservation of the protected area where they reside.

 

The Board also agreed to purchase a mobile vehicle and two motorcycles for forest patrolling and biodiversity monitoring activities.

 

To promote the PA and encourage more visitors, additional ecotourism amenities will be established this year to include welcome arch, garden landscape and standee, photo booth, and other facilities to put up at Calepkep trail.

 

A police checkpoint will also be established within the park to ensure safety of visitors and to manage the entry and exit of vehicles in the area.

 

For the ongoing construction of hydroelectric power plant within the PA, the PhilNew Corporation proposed for the establishment of crushing and water treatment plants. However, the proposal was subjected for further study of PAMB technical working group.#