NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Davao de Oro, together with national government agencies, local government units, and community stakeholders, conducted a site viewing and coordination meeting for the Small Water Impounding Project-I (Swip-I) Eco-Park on August 4, 2026, at Purok 4, Barangay Magsaysay, Nabunturan, to advance its development into a sustainable eco-tourism and livelihood destination.
The activity was convened by the Nabunturan Agrarian Reform Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NARCMPC) in coordination with DAR, the Barangay Council of Magsaysay, the Municipal Local Government Unit of Nabunturan, the Provincial Administrator's Office-Tourism and Investment Division, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).
Originally established as the Swip-I under the Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP) on November 29, 2001, the project was awarded to the former Nabunturan Agrarian Reform Community Integrated Cooperative (Narcico), now NARCMPC. Implemented by DAR and BSWM with funding support from the World Bank, the facility was built to improve irrigation and water resource management for agrarian reform communities before evolving into today's Swip-I Eco-Park.
During the meeting, participating agencies agreed to establish a unified development framework through the creation of a Multi-Agency Technical Working Group (TWG), designation of agency focal persons, and formulation of an initial action plan covering site validation, environmental assessment, technical inspection, and identification of funding and investment opportunities.
The initiative underscores DAR's commitment to maximizing agrarian reform investments through sustainable rural development and strategic partnerships.
Once fully developed, Swip-I Eco-Park is envisioned to become a model community-managed eco-tourism destination that will generate livelihood opportunities, promote environmental conservation, and improve the quality of life of agrarian reform beneficiaries and the surrounding communities. PR
