By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Exploring the wonders of eco-tourism as a way of generating livelihood and alleviating poverty in rural areas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources particularly its Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) is now ready to integrate tourism within its protected areas in the region.
With Ilocos Norte’s total land area of 3,467 km2, some of its 93, 531 protected forest cover has been identified as a potential eco-tourism sites to boost local employment and livelihood here.
Among these sites include the Paoay Lake National Park which is now being frequented by local and foreign tourists for bird-watching and kayaking activities and the on-going development of the Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park in Pagudpud and the Tanap Watershed Forest reserve in Burgos, Ilocos Norte as additional eco-tourism destinations here.
To address various concerns on eco-tourism and ensure proper protection and preservation of these sites while being enjoyed by tourists, all concerned stakeholders convened in Laoag today for a two-day conference to tackle the matter.
This serves as the major highlight of the 4th Regional PAMB convention held April 8 at the Palacio de Laoag Hotel and attended by officials and members of the PAMB in Region 1, travel and tour operators and representatives from the Department of Tourism.
Following the launching of a photo exhibit showcasing the various protected areas in Region 1, a revisit on the pertinent provisions of Republic Act 7586 or the so-called NIPAS Act and specific roles of PAMBs was discussed by Gwendolyn Bambalan, assistant regional director for technical services of the DENR Region 1.
Teresita Blasquite of the Biodiversity Management Bureau also discussed to the participants how to have a sustainable financing for protected areas and new innovations in protected area management.
Meanwhile, Dept. of Tourism Region I Director Martin Valera also presented ways on how to adhere responsible tourism and strategies in ecotourism product development. Other topics such as women and child tourism, effective tourist reception and guiding techniques were also discussed during the convention.