BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) has led the reopening of the Bangan Hill National Park (BHNP) after it was closed for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
DENR Region 2 Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan said the park’s reopening aims to promote ecological tourism in the protected areas (PAs).
Also the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) chairman, Bambalan said it is important that collaboration among partner agencies continues for the development of the BHNP and other PAs in the region.
“If we develop the area, we can showcase natural resource conservation sustainably not only for the Novo Vizcayanos but also for the entire region, since the province is the gateway to Cagayan Valley and nearby regions,” she said.
She added that continuing tourism activities in Nueva Vizcaya will have direct and indirect benefits to the communities.
The BHNP reopening on Thursday, November 3, was made possible through the support of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) of Nueva Vizcaya and the PAMB.
Located in the heart of the capital town of Bayombong, the BHNP was recently renovated by the DENR with funding from the Biodiversity Management Bureau.
“There will be future improvements within the BHNP through the PAMB to offer ecotourism activities to visitors and tourists as well as their safety which is our priority,” Penro officer Giovannie Magat said.
Magat said the improvements that will come are in addition to the recent concreting of access roads and repair of the view deck tower, installation of the water system and park landscaping.
Present during the ceremony was Mayor Antonio Sergio Bagasao who underlined that the importance of nature should be instilled in the minds of the youth.
Bagasao thanked the DENR and PAMB members and the provincial government led by Gov. Carlos Padilla for spearheading the grand reopening of Bangan Hill in his town, which he said speaks of the people’s “desire to go back to the original design of creation.”
Other officials joining the ceremony were Bayombong Vice Mayor Ramon Cabauatan Jr., provincial environment officer Tito Tanguilig, division chiefs from the DENR Region 2 office, community Penro officers, PAMB members, civil society organizations, and other DENR and local officials.
The reopening of the park started with a motorcade around the national highways of Bayombong and Solano towns, followed by a thanksgiving Mass officiated by Fr. Enrique Tiongson.
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