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==[[Sorsogon News]]==
==[[Sorsogon News]]==
'''Local gov't optimistic on Gubat tourism development'''
'''Massive mangrove project to bring fireflies to Donsolt'''
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=71856
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/126049/massive-mangrove-project-to-bring-fireflies-to-donsol
*Tuesday, January 10, 2012
*1:53 am | Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
:by  Bennie A. Recebido
:by  Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer






SORSOGON CITY, January 10 (PIA) -– The municipal government of Gubat is determined to develop and promote their tourism industry to both domestic and foreign tourists to prove that it is more fun in the coastal town of Gubat.
A shower of flying “stars” will soon accompany whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon province, thanks to a massive mangrove planting project on the coast of one of the country’s top tourist draws.
Municipal tourism officer Rebecca Ermino said that they are currently in the process of conducting dialogue to resort owners as well as to local officials of barangays in Gubat with potential tourism sites so as to know their respective tourism development plans and to give them assistance, if needed.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines started to plant 10,000 mangrove seedlings in Donsol’s Sibago village last December to enhance and protect the ecosystem that is shared by whale sharks and tiny organisms like plankton and fireflies.
Ermino said they have already established resorts and other tourism sites where tourists, local and foreign have frequently visited already, but they wanted to make sure that best services will be offered to them so tourists would get beyond what they have spent.
The mangroves enrich nutrients along the coast and in the water, attracting both whale sharks and fireflies, the WWF said.
Among the tourism destinations that Gubat takes pride with are Rizal Beach in Brgy. Rizal located 5 kms south of the town, which hosted the 9th edition of Philippine Hobie (PhilHobie) Challenge on February 2009.
“Whale sharks congregate in Donsol because of the plankton. Plankton consume nutrients discharged by Donsol’s still-healthy rivers, one of the few habitats where fireflies still thrive,” said WWF-Philippines project manager Raul Burce.
“It is famous because aside from its fine-off-white and gradually sloping beach along a still very intact coast, its shoreline is also best for campfire and beach games,” she said.
“Remove mangroves and the fireflies shall be driven off. Without the healthy rivers needed by fireflies, plankton populations cannot bloom and the whale sharks will migrate elsewhere. If one component crashes, the others follow suit. This can be catastrophic for the people of Donsol,” Burce said.
Ermino also said that aside from the numerous resorts, they also promote their Liang Caves found in Brgy. Togawe, Kalayukai Beach, Dankalan Beach located at the south eastern cove of the town in between Brgy. Pinotingan and Ariman, Gubat Cadaop Spring in Brgy. Bentuco and Handawan Island in Brgy. Cogon.
The project in Donsol came on the heels of the  government’s  new  tourism campaign with the slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”
Gubat town is now also being recognized as the Surfing Capital of Sorsogon gaining positive feedback from local and foreign tourists due to its big surfing waves that could thrill both swimmers and surfers. The sand bottom beach breaks of Brgys. Ariman and Buenavista which produces 2-5 feet waves is also considered as a beginner friendly surfing spot especially during the months of September to May.
The WWF said Donsol was an example of how good environmental management and tourism programs could improve the lives of communities.
With the formation of Gubat Bay Surfers by Bidge Villarroya and surfboards donated by the Local Government Unit under Mayor Ding Ramos, surfing is more accessible to the local population and tourists alike.
WWF-Philippines CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said: “The key here is balance. Without it, the productivity of our natural systems will crash. Strike a balance between conservation and development, and we can ensure sustainability.”
Aside from the invigorating beaches, Gubat town also offers tourists with scrumptious native delicacies such as baked “Timitim”, which is similar to cassava cake made up from grated cassava, mixed with coconut milk, sugar, vanilla and pili nuts and the steamed “Kinagang” made of crayfish meat mixed with strips of young coconut and leaves of mint (herba buena) and wrapped in a very special type of leaves known as “hagikhik” which is believed to be the secret of the delicacy.
Donsol’s economy has boomed as tourists flock to its waters to see the whale sharks.
Gubat is a 2nd class municipality with 42 barangays. (MAL/BAR, PIA Sorsogon)
A total of 24,191 local and foreign visitors swam with the gentle giants from December to June 2011.
Donsol’s municipal tourism office estimated that the 2010 season alone generated more than P100 million from transportation, food, lodging, registration fees, and whale shark, mangrove and firefly tours.
Around P20 million was retained by the local government, bolstering incomes and improving lives.
Known in Filipino as “bakawan,” mangroves are considered to be one of the most productive of marine habitats—able to generate 500 kilograms of seafood per hectare annually.
The roots of the trees provide shelter for marine life, and their fallen leaves are used for food.
The roots of the mangroves also absorb heavy trace metals, minimizing coastal erosion and preventing inland saltwater contamination.
Mangroves also protect the soil from erosion and the communities from storm surges caused by typhoons. This is important for the residents of Donsol as they live in a region  frequented by tropical storms.
The importance of mangroves in the Philippines, with its 36,289 kilometers of coastline and a largely shore-borne population, has been recognized by the environment and agriculture departments.
Recently, the Department of Agriculture earmarked P237.5 million for the planting of new mangroves and the setting up of “aquasilvi” projects in coastal communities.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also included mangroves as a priority area in its national greening program.


==Photo Gallery of Sorsogon, Philippines==
==Photo Gallery of Sorsogon, Philippines==
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