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Southern Leyte Province, Philippines (view source)

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==[[Southern Leyte News]]==
==[[Southern Leyte News]]==
'''Bureau seeks to establish Mt. Nacolod as a conservation area'''
'''Solon seeks media’s help to push airport, port projects'''
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R08&article=1281336114142
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R08&article=1301336260379
*Saturday, May 5, 2012
*Sunday, May 6, 2012
:by  Erna S. Gorne
:by  Marcelo M. Pedalino




MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 5 (PIA) -- The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau/New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (PAWB/New CAPP) seeks to establish an inter-local government unit alliance to establish Mt. Nacolod as a conservation area.  
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 6 (PIA) -- This province’s lone district lawmaker solicited the support of the local media organization here in a bid to put flesh on two development projects, the completion of which can spur economic boom in a place positioned as the “playground of Eastern Visayas.”


"A study has been undertaken jointly by the PAWB/New CAPP and Forest Management Bureau/German Development Cooperation-Duetsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit, through the Fauna and Flora International in coordination with DENR Region 8 and PENRO So Leyte for one-month-long ground survey for a biodiversity assessment in key biodiversity area in Southern Leyte,” said DENR-8 Regional Executive Director Rogelio Trinidad, during the Presentation of the Results of the Biodiversity Assessment of REDD+ Pilot Area/Mt Nacolod in Southern Leyte and Management Planning Workshop, last May 2 and 3 at Kuting Reef, Macrohon, Southern Leyte.  
“We need your help for the airport project and the Can-iwan alternate RORO port to materialize,” said Cong. Roger Mercado in a press conference Thursday at Kinamot Restaurant this city.  


He said that the identified key biodiversity area in Southern Leyte covers six municipalities, namely Silago, Hinunangan, Sogod, Maasin City, Tomas Oppus, and Malitbog.  
He revealed that an initial funding of P 45 million for the extension of the Panan-awan airport runway was already earmarked since April last year but until now it was not yet implemented.  


The study that spanned slightly over one month, from November to December 15, 2011, recorded a total of 229 flora species in 65 families, with 31 Philippine endemics, 10 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-critically endangered species, which are mostly Dipterocarp species, and 20 IUCN-vulnerable species. It was also learned that terrestrial vertebrates accounted in the survey totaled to 212 species (birds: 112 species, mammals: 36 species, herpetofauna: 64 species).  
He said the length of the present runway was 1.2 kilometers (km) but an airplane airbus needed at least two km, hence the need to add 800 meters more so commercial flights can literally take off and land there.  


Likewise, there are a total of 69 species of terrestrial amphibian and reptiles recorded across the four localities, and of these 69 species, 25 species are frogs belonging to the seven families; 23 species lizards belonging to five families; 20 species of snakes and one specie of terrestrial turtle.  
The alternate shipping port at Can-iwan, meanwhile, has already secured a P 40 million funding, yet it was not acted either, Mercado said.  


"The PAWB/New CAPP, with funding support from Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Programme, aims to expand and strengthen the terrestrial PA system in the Philippines by developing new conservation models," Trinidad disclosed.  
The Can-iwan port was widely seen as a permanent solution during inclement weather in “habagat” seasons as ships cannot dock at the city’s main port, and it was also much closer to Cebu and Bohol, Mercado informed.  


The group aimed to capacitate their partners for effective management of the system supported by improved systemic and institutional capacities.  
“These two projects strike at the heart of our development efforts, especially on tourism,” he pointed out, adding that many people from the cross-section of society stand to benefit out of the two projects.  


The study also identified threats to biodiversity, which include widespread illegal collection of wildlife, conflicting land tenurial issues improper wildlife collection (e.g. bat collection in caves in Maasin City).  
He was referring to the concerted and aggressive efforts done by the Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI) in close partnership with the provincial, city governments, as well as the 18 other municipalities, to establish man-made attractions that will serve as tourism hubs in five key areas around the province.  


"However, these threats can be addressed by having proper land use classification with strict implementation of policy and reforms that strengthens sustainable conservation initiatives through increased capacitation of stakeholders," he added. (PIA8 SoLeyte)
Last year, the Agas-Agas zipline in Sogod was opened, and it has attracted a steady flow of extreme adventure enthusiasts from other places, while plans to enhance the place with cable cars, off-road tracks and other amenities are still ongoing.
 
Only last week, the Maasin Wildlife and Nature theme Park had its soft opening at Danao Forest Park, attracting thousands of visitors with its rare display of animals like tigers, camels, ostrich, crocodiles, horses, among others.
 
Another hub, at the pacific area, a canopy walk among virgin forests was envisioned to be created, and with the recent discovery of two new species of frogs at Mount Nacolod, a mountain range stretching the woods in several towns, several foreigners mostly nature conservationists are expected to descend soon.
 
The Napantao fish sanctuary in San Francisco, Panaon island, another tourists’ hub was already well-known for its pristine underwater wonder.
 
The fifth planned tourism hub will be in Limasawa, site of the First Christian Mass in Asia, where structures like a tall tower in the form of a cross is envisioned to stand, complete with coffee shops and other related outlets.
 
With all these development efforts already happening or are about to happen, accessibility and mobility for visiting tourists, both domestic and foreign, is critical, Mercado stressed.
 
He mused that with a functional airport and alternate port in Can-iwan in place, “making visits to Southern Leyte will be more fun,” alluding to the current slogan of the Department of Tourism “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”
 
He said he had already talked to Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Mar Roxas for the release of funds.
 
“Still, other sectors’ follow-up is welcomed,” Cong Mercado said. (EOPT/MMP-PIA8, Southern Leyte)


==Photo Gallery of Southern Leyte, Philippines==
==Photo Gallery of Southern Leyte, Philippines==
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