NEWSFLASH

MORE ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS AWAIT TOURISTS

Manila, June 4, 2000 - Local and foreign travelers in the country will further enjoy travelling around the country with the completion of 15 Environmental Rest Area Parks (ERAPs) and the nine Ecological Destinations (Eds) nationwide.

Secretary Antonio Cerilles of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the 15 ERAPs are found in the Imelda Park in Ilocos Sur, Calitlitan Park in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya; Roosevelt National Park in Bataan; Quezon National Park in Quezon province; Bicol National Park, Jamil and Camilo Verbo in Aklan; Osmena Reforestation Project in Cebu City; Taft Forest Wildlife Sanctuary in Samar; Lakewood Aboriginal Park in Zamboanga del Sur; Sumpong in Bukidnon province; Panas in Davao; Marquez in Hot Spring, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, La Mesa Forest Museum in Quezon City; and Pacdal in Baguio City.

Of the 15 sites, Cerilles said, nine also double as Eds. These are the Osmena Reforestation Project in Cebu City. Taft Forest Wildlife Sanctuary in Samar, Lakewood Aboriginal Park in Zamboanga del Sur, Sumpong in Bukidnon province, Panas in Davao, Marquez Hot Spring, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, La Mesa Dam Forest Museum in Quezon City, and Pacdal in Baguio City.

"The ERAPs are intended to provide travelers basic amenities such as comfort rooms, picnic areas, camping ground, parking areas, lodging rooms along so-called environmental roads," he said. "Likewise, they are intended to boost our tourism industry."

"They also compliment the establishment and development of ecological destinations and environmental roads in national parks, protected areas and reforestation sites." Cerilles added.

On the other hand, he said the Eds are intended to promote environmental awareness on the part of tourist, students and nature lovers.

The ecological destinations will also allow environmentalist and nature lovers to use and benefit from environmental intangibles such as the priceless outdoor experience.

"The EDs are also important components in our efforts to conserve biodiversity since they can help increase public awareness about its importance and values," Cerilles said.

Ecological destinations are sites that show unique natural feature of a landscape and provide aesthetic, recreational and scientific value to visitors. Environmental roads are roads developed In harmony with nature leading to an ecological destination. They are not under the jurisdiction of either the Department of Public Works and Highways or other government agencies.

Aside from providing rest areas, Cerilles said that ERAPs also showcase the unique and endemic features of the parks.

"The establishment of ERAPs is a part of the DENR’s program to develop and manage ecological destinations in the Philippines," Cerilles said.

He said, "The ERAPs were developed with minimum disturbances in the area. Likewise, the structures naturally blend with the surroundings and are environment-friendly."

To make the ERAPs and the ecological destinations sustainable, Cerilles said ecological user’s fees will be imposed for the use of facilities and other basic amenities. The fees, in turn, will be used for maintenance and upkeep of the ERAPs and ecological destinations.

To recover government’s investment in ERAPs and ecological destinations, the Natural Resources Development Corporation has formulated a cost recovery plan.

Cerilles also bared plans for the development of ERAPs in Mt. Data in Mt. Province, Mt. Polis in Banaue, Camp 4 in Tuba, Benguet, San Miguel Ecological Park in Dinapigue, Isabela, Mt. Kanlaon Park in Iloilo, Loboc Watershed and Cebu Transcentral Highway in Cebu City.