by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
“Updates on Bakawan Eco Park” is the topic of the special edition of Kapihan on March 3, 2012. The venue is the Eco Park Canteen at New Buswang, Kalibo. The guests are Engr. Roger M. Esto, Prov’l Planning and Development Office, Aklan; Brgy. Capt. Ronald Marte of Pook, Kalibo; Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Exec. Dir., Aklan Rivers Development Council; Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, Legal Consultant, APCI; and Ms. Beverly Tropa, Population Project Officer I.
Atty. Tolentino disclosed that coastal reforestation initiative of once an obscure NGO named Kalibo Save the Mangrove (KASAMA) has reaped international fame. Thanks to the vision of former Kalibo Mayor Atty. Allen S. Quimpo who in 1994 rallied the fishing community to plant bakawan propagules on reclaimed land. Today, the 110 hectares forest stands healthy, stable, with expanding borders and serving as model for coastal reforestation program. It is now the object of visitation of people both Filipinos and foreigners.
Mr. Marte expressed optimism over the 10.0 ha. extension of Bakawan project to Pook. The provincial government headed by Gov. Carlito S. Marquez plans to establish a Jetty Port in Pook tapping shipping firms. It will provide fast craft services for tourists to and from Boracay in just one hour. Complex facility will include trade center, hotel, tourism info center, fast food, and other travel facilities. Peripheral road network will be upgraded especially the section linking to the Kalibo Inter’l. Airport according to Brgy. Captain Marte.
Engr. Esto under-scored the commitment of the provincial government to eco-tourism development. Concerted efforts of MOVE Aklan and GAD-C are set to engage in intensive planting of bakawan seedlings beginning on March 8 or during the whole women’s month celebration. These small steps are very inspiring in view of the extent of coastal damages over the years. Dr. Rodolfo Javelosa, environmental expert of DENR believes that some 100 meters of valuable peripheral coastline was reclaimed by the sea since the 1920’s.
Atty. Quimpo cited the success of private-public partnership in the community based bakawan eco park. NGO’s like Tokyo Jonan of Japan and Sigma Rho Fraternity of Metro Manila have generous donations for the expansion of area planted after their project visitation and evaluation. It cost P23,000 per hectare to plant and maintain seedling stand for at least one year. The Prov’l. Population and Gender Office is also a major partner in the livelihood component of charcoal briquetting according to Atty. Quimpo.
Ms. Tropa confirmed Atty. Quimpo’s statements that their office has embraced environmental concerns in its mission to improve the human capital index. The strong emphasis is to provide livelihood and decent life to people living in coastal communities. Charcoal briquetting directly benefits 30 families aside from improved fisheries catch mainly from offshore fishing. Mangrove reforestation project is ideal since it offers breeding and spawning sanctuary for fishes and wildlife. mangrove also serves as barrier against destructive waves and tidal currents.
Kalibo’s dumping site located in Old Buswang has been the subject of environmental concern of DENR and LGU because of its worsening impact to human health and marine resources. The garbage effluent usually dark and slimy traverses the whole eco park 24/7 up to New Washington’s otherwise scenic beach and private resorts.
How can coastal tourism expand in the face of this ever present threat? Obviously, the only solution is to relocate the dumping site of Kalibo to other place like Balete, Batan, or Altavas where common sanitary landfill of 4 or 5 towns could be constructed.
Disastrous flood spawned by Typhoon Frank in 2008 leveled the smokey mountain stockpile, moved hundreds of tons of undecomposed organic material to the bakawan eco park. This is probably the reason why fin fishes population in the area has not fully recovered to normal level. Despite tidal exchange in the navigable waterway, water turbidity is very poor. Shellfish population (clams, oysters, mudcrabs, and shrimps) is found teeming in the area due to their inherent resilience to adverse environment. They are noted as efficient food scavengers and with a garbage dumpsite, their bodies may contain high amount of lead, mercury, and other toxic elements.
Napoleon Bonaparte once said that success has many fathers, failure is an orphan. Human nature is always attracted to this sweet smell of success. Well, the fragrance of Bakawan Eco Park now transcends the town, province and country’s borders. Regular busloads of visitors and tourists visit, see, and experience the beauty of cooperation and harmony. It is an outstanding achievement worthy of emulation and praise. /MP
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