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Saturday, February 05, 2005
Guv supports move to make Candaba Asia's eco-tourism hub
By Joel P. Mapiles
CANDABA -- Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid expressed his full support to the effort of the local government here in making the Candaba marsh as a world-class eco-tourism destination in Asia.
According to Lapid, Candaba swamp has the full potential in contributing for the advancement of the province's tourism industry.
Lapid, accompanied by Paul and Tess Laus of the Provincial Tourism Council, visited the swamp for bird watching and saw for themselves the potential of the town as a tourist spot for environmentalists and bird enthusiasts.
Lapid and his group joined the Candabeños in the celebration of World Wetlands Day as they took time to help clean the surrounding of the swamp.
Through this new discovery in the province and great effort of the local government in protecting the migratory birds and sharing it to the public for bird watching, the Candaba swamp became famous as it is now gaining international importance and recognition, Lapid said.
In front of the bird watchers from Meycauayan, Bulacan, the governor announced that through the migratory birds in the swamp and efforts of the local officials here, the town of Candaba is now back in Asia's bird map.
Forty-eight species equivalent to more than 16,000 wild and rare birds from China, Korea, Japan, Australia, Great Britain, among other countries, were monitored here including our very own endangered Philippine ducks. The most rarely seen bird is the Chinese Pond Heron, which was last seen in the Philippines in 1948.
With this, Lapid extended his congratulation and appreciation for the good work and job well done shared by this town as the province launched last year its drive in boosting the potential of Pampanga in the tourism industry.
Lapid encouraged the Candabeños to join the Sinukwan showcasing the Candaba's finest products and wild birds.
He also urged them to initiate their own Bird Festival featuring Candaba's migratory birds and launch a trade fair exhibiting the famous products of the town such as tilapia, burong Candaba, melon and watermelon, among others.
As this developed, Lapid vowed to support and augment the road-widening project here going to the bird sanctuary to provide convenience to local and foreign tourists who would regularly visit the swamp.
Lapid also expressed his commitment to give assistance for the construction of native nipa huts around the swamp to be used as rest house by the bird watchers.
The governor said the province would also provide seeds for the planting of more vegetables near the nipa huts as Mayor Jerry Pelayo bared that they will construct a little native village for the use of the annual tourists here.
As Pelayo disclosed that bird watching would become a year round activity, Lapid suggested that Candaba should revive Pampanga's old bangcas (boat) which had been made in this town centuries ago.
Lapid noted that the replica of the historic bangca could be used to transport the birdwatchers during the flood season here as the Candabeños display their own version of "boat festivals" particularly the famous "karerang bangca".
(February 5, 2005 issue)
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