The 152-hectare mangrove eco-tourism park in this town serves as a natural barrier against storm-surge flooding for nearby residential communities and also provides sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents.
Jayjay Tejada, 35, a resident of Barangay Parian Oeste, said they used to experience knee-level flooding, especially during a storm surge due to weather disturbance.
“Hindi na kami binabaha ngayon kahit yong last na super typhoon di kami nabaha (We do not experience flooding now, even with the last super typhoon (Uwan, international name Fung-wong) we were not flooded),” he said.
Doris Marie Bambao, environmental management specialist of Bauang town, in an interview on Thursday, said the mangroves are the best absorbers of water and sequester carbon well.
The mangrove area surrounding the villages of Parian Oeste, Pudoc, Payocpoc Norte, and Payocpoc Sur with 12 species of mangroves, is a marine protected area.
Bambao said the mangroves have also promoted biodiversity with more species of fish, oysters, and even birds, among others.
“Dumami din po dahil sa magandang biodiversity, dumadami yung mga species or yung mga klase ng isda natin na nakukuha dito. Free lang silang kumuha basta hindi sila gagamit ng mga nets na talagang bawal (The number of the fish and the species are increasing because of the biodiversity. Residents are free to fish provided they do not use prohibited nets) and also illegal blasting,” she said.
Residents like Tejada enjoy fresh mud crabs or fish, which they eat or sell in the market as their source of livelihood.
Bambao said the healthy ecosystem in the park attracts various species of birds, which complements the eco-tourism aspect of the area.
“If I’m not mistaken, we do have 34 species of birds in the area,” she said.
The eco-tourism park charges an environmental fee per visitor — PHP30 for Filipinos and PHP50 for foreigners. A portion of the income goes to the Barangay Parian Oeste, the host barangay, she said.
Tourists may enjoy walking on the boardwalk and taking photos within the mangrove area.
Fisherfolk also offer a boat ride for PHP150 per person, which goes directly to them, Bambao said.
Bambao said the mangrove area is both natural and manmade, as some have naturally grown in the area while others were planted.
She said they are seeking the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the appropriate species to be planted in the area since they halted mangrove planting activities due to fear of encountering invasive species that might affect its biodiversity.
Mayor Clarissa Lee said tourists may also enjoy the town’s mountainous parts, falls, historical artifacts, grape farms, and its products such as grape wine and guapples, among others. (PNA)
