Army camp eyed as tourism site in Panay

CAMP Macario Peralta Jr., the third largest military camp in the country is now being considered as an important ecotourism site in Panay Island and an alternative site for tourists to visit aside from the premier Boracay Island.

Commanding General Jose Mabanta of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army based at the camp in Jamindan, Capiz confirmed that its exposure to tourists will be an opportunity to tell the world about the rich cultural heritage of the people at the 33,310-hectare military reservation.

Mabanta recently met with officials of the Capiz tourism and cultural affairs office and private enterprises to discuss the plan of opening up the camp for tourists.

The sprawling camp covers the towns of Jamindan and Tapaz of Capiz province and Lambunao town in Iloilo and is inhabited by various communities of indigenous peoples.

The camp has five waterfalls. It is a nature park and a wildlife sanctuary. Among its beautiful spots are the grotto and shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located at a hilltop where one can enjoy the mountain view as far as Dumalag, Capiz.

A variety of flora and fauna also surrounds the grotto. The 3ID boasts of its swimming pool that offers confined water scuba diving and is a great get-together area for different activities.

The camp also offers a two-hour hike in a nature trek that treats hikers to a glimpse of the 100-meter waterfall and the three-basin falls where visitors can take a dip.

The place also has a vacation and picnic area dubbed “Kalikasan Nature Park,” which has complete amenities and a viewing tower.

The camp has been declared a military reservation through Presidential Proclamation No. 67 and officially proclaimed by virtue of Municipal Council Resolution No. 19 of Jamindan town.