The local government is eyeing Barangay Bonbon, a coastal village, as a potential ecotourism and biodiversity hub, citing its rich marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Armen Cuenca, chief of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), said Thursday that a biodiversity assessment conducted with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10 (DENR-10) highlighted the area’s ecological significance.

“Bonbon’s marine sanctuary is an ideal spot for diving due to its thriving coral reefs and diverse aquatic life,” Cuenca said in an interview.

The village is renowned for its abundant sardine catch, locally called “tamban,” and its flourishing mangrove plantations, which provide habitats for crabs and snails. Marine biologists from the city government and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan have documented hundreds of marine species in the sanctuary since January.

Bonbon also hosts the annual “TambaNipa Festival,” celebrated every second week of September in honor of San Nicolas Tolentino. The festival, initiated over two decades ago by former village chief Felix Mabalacad, highlights the area’s sardines and nipa grass.

A recent biodiversity assessment by CLENRO and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Misamis Oriental identified 24 flora species and 16 notable fauna species, underscoring the need for conservation efforts.

These findings have reinforced the importance of preserving Bonbon’s coastal and marine ecosystems while promoting sustainable ecotourism. (PNA)