E.2 TOURISM
E.2.1 EXISTING SITUATION
Bulalacao located in the southernmost tip of Oriental Mindoro is endowed with natural resources ideal for tourism development. It has islands, coves and peninsulas declared as tourism zones and marine reserves under Proclamation 1801 dated November 10, 1978 for administration by the Philippines Tourism Authority. The province of Oriental Mindoro as well, was included in the prioritized area under the 1993-2002 Tourism Investment Priority Plan.
Island hopping is one activity that visitors enjoy most. From Bulalacao Bay, there are motor boats which can be rented from P 600.00 to P 1,000.00 for a day’s travel going to these islands depending on the capacity of the boat and the distance of the islet to be visited. The Municipal Government, thru the designated tourism officer, provides assistance in arranging the tour.
Alibatan, a more or less five (5) hectare island located three kilometers northeast of Bacungan and southeast of the town of Bulalacao is noted for its white sand. Big rocks are present throughout and the southern part is mountainous. A lake, more or less, half hectare can be found at the middle of the island. The place serves as hatching for seagulls and turtles. Although the area abound with the different species of fish, fishing is dangerous due to the presence of whales because of its nearness to the channel going to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Corals and oyster can be found all around the area. The island is also called “Target Island” because bombing practices in 1946 were made in this place by the Americans staying is San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
Sibalat Island is located in the northwest of Alibatan Island and east of Bating peninsula. Like Alibatan, Sibalat boast of white sand, big rocks, corals, shells, oyster and an ideal hatching place for turtles. This island measures 2.5 hectares and the surrounding water is suited for fishing and scuba diving.
About 1.5 kilometers south of Barangay Milagrosa lies the 12 hectares. Aslom Island which has the same features with the first two islands. Half of the island is planted to coconuts and a good place for ships to anchor during storms. A big cave could be found at the southeastern part of the island.
Maasin Island is situated at the southeastern part of the Municipality of Bulalacao, and is seven (7) kilometers from the town proper. The middle of the cave shaped island is planted to coconuts. Other parts are full of cogon and the part facing Tablas Strait is mountainous. The island covers 90 hectares. A 30-meter fathom deep channel could be found between this island and Tambaron Island.
Tambaron is a 160 hectares rocky, mountainous island separated by a channel from Barangay Balatasan. This is forty kilometers from the municipality and a hunting ground for wild pigs and monkeys, the place being full of cogon. It is also ideal for cattle and goat raising. The water around which is 30 meters fathom deep is suited for fishing.
In the northern part of Bulalacao lies Suguicay. A part of Barangay San Juan, this oblong-shaped island is separated by a channel. Suguicay is planted to coconuts and mangroves at both ends. This more or less ten hectare-island abound with corals and different kinds of shells.
Located at the southern part of Mansalay and at the northern part of Buyayao Peninsula, some 50 meters away is the island of Buyayao. There is a road constructed on the southern going to the northern part which is planted to coconuts. Big snakes called “Sobre Kama” are found in “Malaking Yungib” (big Cave) and in mountain. The water around is suited for deep fishing.
Buyayao Island is 206 hectares forest, reserved with more than 500 forests species under thick vegetation and ornamental plants. It has caves with abundant wildlife. (Squirrels, deer, wild chicken and bear cat). It has 3 sources of potable water. According to Cristina Ford, during one of her visits to the island, it is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. It was partly developed during the time of the then, Minister Manda Elizalde of PANAMIN.
Pocanil is located at the mainland of Buyayao Peninsula, north of Barangay San Roque. The place is rocky and suited for goat raising. This is a reserve area.
Liwagao, an island under dispute with the Municipality of Caluya Antique, lies in the southeast portion of Bulalacao. It is approximately 100 hectares in area with a long stretch of white sand. It has different classes of quality pebbles, fantastic coral formations and diverse marine ecosystem. The northeastern portion of the island is thickly covered with coconut and lumber trees. Coconut crabs once abound the area. It is an ideal hatching ground for sea turtles.
Up-trekking to about 1.5 km. From Poblacion is a 64 hectares Tree Park operated and maintained by the municipal government. The area is ideal for camping, hiking and trekking. From there is a breathtaking view of Bulalacao Bay and the Islands around.
CULTURAL
Bulalacao is haven of Hanunuo, the most civilized tribe of stone age primitive Mangyans with colorful beadwork, basket, mat and ramit. They still hunt. Majorities are dressed in traditional G-Strings and adorn themselves with jewelry made of colorful beads. Their villages are located upland. Theirs is a culture that caught the attention of tourists.
E.2.1 EXISTING SITUATION
Bulalacao located in the southernmost tip of Oriental Mindoro is endowed with natural resources ideal for tourism development. It has islands, coves and peninsulas declared as tourism zones and marine reserves under Proclamation 1801 dated November 10, 1978 for administration by the Philippines Tourism Authority. The province of Oriental Mindoro as well, was included in the prioritized area under the 1993-2002 Tourism Investment Priority Plan.
Island hopping is one activity that visitors enjoy most. From Bulalacao Bay, there are motor boats which can be rented from P 600.00 to P 1,000.00 for a day’s travel going to these islands depending on the capacity of the boat and the distance of the islet to be visited. The Municipal Government, thru the designated tourism officer, provides assistance in arranging the tour.
Alibatan, a more or less five (5) hectare island located three kilometers northeast of Bacungan and southeast of the town of Bulalacao is noted for its white sand. Big rocks are present throughout and the southern part is mountainous. A lake, more or less, half hectare can be found at the middle of the island. The place serves as hatching for seagulls and turtles. Although the area abound with the different species of fish, fishing is dangerous due to the presence of whales because of its nearness to the channel going to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Corals and oyster can be found all around the area. The island is also called “Target Island” because bombing practices in 1946 were made in this place by the Americans staying is San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
Sibalat Island is located in the northwest of Alibatan Island and east of Bating peninsula. Like Alibatan, Sibalat boast of white sand, big rocks, corals, shells, oyster and an ideal hatching place for turtles. This island measures 2.5 hectares and the surrounding water is suited for fishing and scuba diving.
About 1.5 kilometers south of Barangay Milagrosa lies the 12 hectares. Aslom Island which has the same features with the first two islands. Half of the island is planted to coconuts and a good place for ships to anchor during storms. A big cave could be found at the southeastern part of the island.
Maasin Island is situated at the southeastern part of the Municipality of Bulalacao, and is seven (7) kilometers from the town proper. The middle of the cave shaped island is planted to coconuts. Other parts are full of cogon and the part facing Tablas Strait is mountainous. The island covers 90 hectares. A 30-meter fathom deep channel could be found between this island and Tambaron Island.
Tambaron is a 160 hectares rocky, mountainous island separated by a channel from Barangay Balatasan. This is forty kilometers from the municipality and a hunting ground for wild pigs and monkeys, the place being full of cogon. It is also ideal for cattle and goat raising. The water around which is 30 meters fathom deep is suited for fishing.
In the northern part of Bulalacao lies Suguicay. A part of Barangay San Juan, this oblong-shaped island is separated by a channel. Suguicay is planted to coconuts and mangroves at both ends. This more or less ten hectare-island abound with corals and different kinds of shells.
Located at the southern part of Mansalay and at the northern part of Buyayao Peninsula, some 50 meters away is the island of Buyayao. There is a road constructed on the southern going to the northern part which is planted to coconuts. Big snakes called “Sobre Kama” are found in “Malaking Yungib” (big Cave) and in mountain. The water around is suited for deep fishing.
Buyayao Island is 206 hectares forest, reserved with more than 500 forests species under thick vegetation and ornamental plants. It has caves with abundant wildlife. (Squirrels, deer, wild chicken and bear cat). It has 3 sources of potable water. According to Cristina Ford, during one of her visits to the island, it is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. It was partly developed during the time of the then, Minister Manda Elizalde of PANAMIN.
Pocanil is located at the mainland of Buyayao Peninsula, north of Barangay San Roque. The place is rocky and suited for goat raising. This is a reserve area.
Liwagao, an island under dispute with the Municipality of Caluya Antique, lies in the southeast portion of Bulalacao. It is approximately 100 hectares in area with a long stretch of white sand. It has different classes of quality pebbles, fantastic coral formations and diverse marine ecosystem. The northeastern portion of the island is thickly covered with coconut and lumber trees. Coconut crabs once abound the area. It is an ideal hatching ground for sea turtles.
Up-trekking to about 1.5 km. From Poblacion is a 64 hectares Tree Park operated and maintained by the municipal government. The area is ideal for camping, hiking and trekking. From there is a breathtaking view of Bulalacao Bay and the Islands around.
CULTURAL
Bulalacao is haven of Hanunuo, the most civilized tribe of stone age primitive Mangyans with colorful beadwork, basket, mat and ramit. They still hunt. Majorities are dressed in traditional G-Strings and adorn themselves with jewelry made of colorful beads. Their villages are located upland. Theirs is a culture that caught the attention of tourists.
E.2.2. Development Needs
With a highly acknowledged tourism potentials, a master plan for tourism development should be formulated to include among others promotion and marketing of Bulalacao as tourist destination thru the modern information technology.
An effective environment management program is needed to regulate and sustain use for ECO-Tourism activities.
Regulation of tourist activities is needed such that moral values are properly safeguarded & upheld.
With a highly acknowledged tourism potentials, a master plan for tourism development should be formulated to include among others promotion and marketing of Bulalacao as tourist destination thru the modern information technology.
An effective environment management program is needed to regulate and sustain use for ECO-Tourism activities.
Regulation of tourist activities is needed such that moral values are properly safeguarded & upheld.
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