Go Ecotourism in Aloguinsan!

CEBU, Philippines - Summer is a perfect time to travel as an ecotourist, going to places with natural attractions.

A river and a mangrove forest, for instance, are much more refreshing spots than man-made resorts. Exactly what are found in the town of Aloguinsan, southwest of Cebu.

Nature still flourishes in the town, the right destination for those looking for a place that not too many people have discovered yet. The marine life is lush. And the place is rich in culture and heritage.

A beautiful interweaving of culture and nature is sure to fascinate visitors to Aloguinsan. The local food is interesting, too, whether simply different or really something else. The local songs and dances are engaging, especially those performed in rituals of harvest of the buri palm tree, which is made into tapioca for local breads and flat cakes.

Again, the mangroves at the Bojo River and and the river itself are main attractions. And the Bonbon Marine Sanctuary, too. Visitors may also check the Aloguinsan Farmhouse, a training/demo facility on back-to-natural-farming methods and vermiculture. The place has a souvenir shop that displays local handcrafted products.

A river cruise awaits visitors after the farmhouse. Other options are a visit to a fishing village, a swim in Kantabogon cove, and a snorkeling safari at a coral garden replete with clownfish, fire corals, brain corals, among other lovely things of the deep, next to a thrilling view of an underwater ravine’s estimated 60-meter drop.

Aloguinsan is one of a few towns engaged in ecotourism enterprises, beginning in 2009. The initiative has dramatically improved lives of the town people, particularly in the fishing villages. Fishermen dabble in snorkel guiding, boatmen serve as reef rangers, improving their livelihoods. Motorcycle-for-hire drivers complement the goals of the local tourism program by providing the best service and care to visitors. For their part, market vendors have recently launched a “boodle-style seafood buffet.”

The price range of everything in the town is generally modest. Vendors and service providers have organized themselves purposely to police their own ranks and uphold certain standards. In effect, visitors get good value for their money and the locals have a sustainable means of income. Most of all, nature gets its share of due concern and care from the town people, who have come to realize that it’s basically nature that the visitors come to their town for.

Yet while it doesn’t cost much to enjoy nature in the town, visitors are urged to do their part of the experience package. They need to respect the environment, to follow certain rules. As the website ecotourismphilippines.net puts it: “Tourists can be destructive and can leave negative impacts in places they visit.”

Ecotourists are called so because of their presumed concern for the ecology of the places they go to. Hence, they are expected to behave responsibly in order to minimize the negative impact of their visit to a place. They are not to collect wildlife for souvenirs, not make graffitis (no matter how artistic they may be!) or bonfires where it’s forbidden, and not to leave their trash behind.

Hiring a local guide is always advisable. The guy knows best the way around and the places of interest in the locality. He also knows what visitors may or may not do while in the place. 

Connecting with nature is an enriching experience. There are many things to learn, mysteries and secrets to discover. It is even spiritual, too. Aloguinsan’s coral gardens hint of the day when the Creator released marine creatures to fill the sea – from polyps to jellyfish, the various kinds of fish and other underwater wonders.

A visit to Aloguinsan brings a sense of pride – and livelihood – to the local folks. The visitor is sure to have a great time, and leave the place wishing that it remains that way for the next visitors to enjoy. To make that possible, everyone has to share in the responsibility of caring for nature.