Bataan National Park expects to become agro-forestry tourism hub

BAGAC, Bataan – A large number of private corporate entities and local government officials are seeing the importance of the rich natural resources and historical backgrounds of the Bataan National Park as a dynamic eco-tourism site in Central Luzon.

Nick S. Ancheta, Bagac municipal administrator, has described the development of Bataan National Park stimulates the lucrative eco-tourism market and provide livelihood programs leading to ecological agricultural practices for the benefits of upland residents and some 20,000 indigenous cultural groups.

According to statistic forestry profile, Bataan National Park has a total area of 18,335 hectares with 217 species of wildlife and several waterfalls beneath the vast mountain stretch which is remarkably fit for bountiful eco-tourism industry.

He said the municipality of Bagac, one of the two starting points of infamous Death March , the other is Mariveles , is trying to install picnic grounds and road improvements of two waterfalls namely Ambon-Ambon and Lumutan ,both located in Barangay Banawang which is densely forested section of Mount Bataan National Park.

Ancheta reiterated the infrastructure programs of Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia gave emphasis on the diversified and strategic thrust to enhance further the category of the coastal town to world-class recreational destination , hotel and beach resort facilities for locators and other stakeholders in the province.

Cognizant to the expanding tourism and travel industry, Ancheta has acknowledged the positive suggestions of tour and travel agency owners to undertake essential process of upgrading , preserving cultural , historical sites and natural resources .

Eco-tourism involves responsible travelling to natural aesthetics values with the purpose of educating the travelers, mountain trekkers ,picnickers ,environment enthusiasts and other nature lovers without the ecological and cultural and historical impact that may come as a negative consequences of traditional tourism.