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Panay community opens new eco-tour around Sibalom Natural Park

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Ched Rick Gatchalian

ABS-CBN News

<div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Imparayan, a small community in Sibalom municipality, has opened an eco-tour around the area’s natural park ahead of the International Day of Biological Diversity (IDBD) on Wednesday.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Members of the Imparayan Bantay Gubat Association collaborated with the government and the United Nations Development Programme&#x27;s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN) to develop the eco-tourism initiative, hoping it can also inspire other locals to launch their </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">own</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> environmental tours.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">With the theme “Be part of the Plan,” this year’s IDB serves as a call for action to persuade people to reverse and halt the loss of biodiversity through cooperation and partnerships among communities, government, or non-governmental organizations.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Sibalom Natural Park has 6, 778.44 hectares, reforested with a mix of commercially valuable exotic tree species and local flora in the 1970s. It was declared as a protected area in 2000.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">A giant Rafflesia symbolizes the park and will be the first to greet its guests.</span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1716284782012Rafflesia speciosa (Anthony Ian Endencio).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">World’s largest flower, Rafflesia. <em>Photo by Anthony Ian Endencio/DENR</em></span></span></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Tour guide Lumen Tiongco reminds visitors to avoid littering, smoking, or taking stones, plants, or animals upon entering the park.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“Talk gently along the trails to not disturb birds and lizards. Most importantly, have a good time,” Tiongco said.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The first stop is the Rizalista Chapel established in 1975. Rizalistas believe that the national hero is an incarnation of the holy spirit.</span></div><ul><li style="list-style-type:disc"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1716284901974441244183_8357438700938454_5208677621053163989_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A Rizalista Chapel established in 1975. <em>Photo by Gregg Yan</em></span></span></span></li></ul><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Next, guests can behold the Bato Pispis, an eroded cliff with a pattern that looks like the outstretched wings of a bird.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The park is also home to the Rainbow River — one of the most colorful rivers in the country — that has jade, quartz, onyx, and other semi-precious stones that are not for sale or meant to be taken as souvenirs.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The development of Sibalom’s community-led tours was part of the government and the UNDP-BIOFIN’s Year of the Protected Areas campaign. This aims to boost local patronage to the country’s 247 protected areas.</span></div><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“True sustainable development benefits everyone involved — </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">local</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> residents, tour operators, service providers </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">and</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> of course, the environment itself. We envision better lives for all. </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Walang maiiwan</span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">: no one gets left behind,” UNDP-BIOFIN Philippines national project manager Anabelle Plantilla said.</span></div>

<p>A community-led eco-tour around the Sibalom Natural Park in Panay was launched ahead of the International Day of Biological Diversity (IDBD).</p>

A community-led eco-tour around the Sibalom Natural Park in Panay was launched ahead of the International Day of Biological Diversity (IDBD).