Photo courtesy of new.pia.gov.ph
SAN ISIDRO, Davao Oriental, May 6 — President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration of the Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park in Davao Oriental, which has been declared by UNESCO as the country’s first natural science park.
The President unveiled the marker at the foot of the mountain, symbolizing the official opening of the heritage park as a tourist destination in the Davao region.
The 27,714-hectare park is the natural habitat of the Philippine Eagle and the Philippine Cockatoo, as well as 1,403 species of flora and fauna, 341 of which are endemic to the country.
“Para mapangalagaan ang natatanging yaman ng Mt. Hamiguitan, pinaigting natin ang pagpa-patrolya at pagbabantay ng ating Forest Rangers at Protected Area Enforcement Officers; kasama na ang pagsasagawa ng capacity building programs para sa management, wildlife law enforcement, at ecotourism awareness. Meron din tayong sistema ng Regular Biodiversity Monitoring, na imbentaryo ng species sa lugar,” the President said before an enthusiastic crowd of local civic leaders and residents.
He noted that the park features a natural science museum, research and management center, butterfly garden, bird watching sites, and other facilities that would attract tourists, researchers and conservationists.
In Mati City, he added, tourists could visit the Subangan Museum, which features Mt. Hamiguitan, as well as the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of Davao Oriental.
“Siyempre, dulo nito, dahil dadami ang bibisita sa inyo, sisigla ang lokal na turismo, na maghahatid ng oportunidad sa mga taga-Davao Oriental, partikular na sa San Isidro. Alam niyo po, kada isang foreign tourist arrival, tinataya po na may isang trabahong nalilikha para sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” he explained.
To make travelling to the natural park easier, President Aquino said the government has allocated P236.36 million for the construction of a 40-lineal meter bridge as well as for concreting a 4.9-kilometer section of the La Union-Mt. Hamiguitan Road Junction.
“Malinaw ang ating stratehiya: Mas maayos na mga kalsada at imprastraktura, mas malagong komersyo’t turismo, mas maraming oportunidad sa mamamayan,” he said.
The Chief Executive further reported that his administration has given the province an infrastructure budget of P10.36 billion, more than double the P4.4 billion allotted by the previous administration.
The amount, he said, was used to fund P889.31 million worth of flood control projects, as well as P890 million worth of farm-to-market roads, irrigation, and a fish port project.
Moreover, he said, 41,250 households are currently benefiting from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, up from 8,829 households in 2010, while 503,735 are now covered by PhilHealth.
He also said that P129.56 million has been earmarked for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program in the province, and that 226 sitios have benefitted from the government’s sitio electrification program.
The President took the opportunity to call on his audience to consider carefully who to vote for on May 9.
“Lunes magdedesisyon tayo. Matagal-tagal na nating pinakinggan lahat ng nagkakatunggali, pag-isipan ho natin ng maayos. Saan ba tayo dito sigurado? At saan ba tayo delikado? Nasa inyo na po ‘yan,” he said. (PCOO/PND)
