Sipaway Island workers map mangroves, beach fauna

The Sipaway Ecotourism Workers Association (SETWA) members identified the different beach forest species and mangrove associates existing in Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, during their two-day Natural Resources (Mangrove) Mapping and Inventory from Sept. 19 to 20.

Said mapping and inventory aimed at marketing a mangrove learning tour, facilitated by the local Tourism Office in coordination with the Coastal Resource Management Division of the City Environment Management Office, was the second phase of the series of activities for the Sipaway Island Community-Based Ecotourism Project.

Tourism Operations Officer 1 Jennifer S. Paran said natural resource mapping is used in tourism development to gather information used in scripts for tour guides and interpretation.

San Carlos City Tourism Consultant Joselito Costas cited that it is beneficial to distinguish the natural resources within the island to suit the conservations needed for those particular resources.

SETWA member Alma Caballero shared that she recognized the different species of mangroves and associates and their benefits through the two-day activity.

She added that there is a dire need to conserve the mangrove forest as it protects the community from natural calamities, like floods. (PR)