T H E N O R T H E R N G A T E W A Y
Somehow, Tubigon offered no reason for a
traveler to stay for a night or two; it was as if the area was contented serving
as a gateway to other areas in Bohol. Tubigon failed to lure a good volume of
tourists or to make the few that came every now and then stay longer in the
area. With tourism on the rise, Tubigon jumped on the eco-tourism bandwagon.
This plain gateway might just be the next big tourism destination of Bohol.
Here’s why:
CABGAN ISLAND COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM PROJECT
Cabgan from the word
Cabugan or a place with many bats is an island located near Barangay Macaas in
Tubigon, Bohol. The name of the place doesn’t really imply that it is only a
roosting place exclusive for bats. You can also find here some bird species
like ospreys, rufous night herons, migratory birds, endemic fruit doves and
sage owls perching silently on random branches. It also host of marine
creatures lurking in the mangrove shadows or in the islands mudflats. With the
size of 85.6 hectares, the island has around 3,000 population of flying foxes
and small bats.
Boatmen
are advised to turn off their engines and approach the roosting place by paddling.
In the broad daylight, I could spot the bats perching upside down on the
branches of the mangroves. They looked like black dots in the greens.
Bats are quite sensitive. Nocturnal creatures as they are, they rest and sleep during the day. They should not be disturbed. So it is advised to approach the roosting place with the elegance and quietness of a predator. Aside from an aviary sighting, Cabgan Island also paves the way for learning as they tell us facts and information about the aviary and marine creatures, the biodiversity of the place and all about mangroves like how to identify a male and female mangrove just by the texture and shape of its leaves. It might not answer climate change, but it always pays to know what grows in our very land and come home with a learning or two. Isn’t traveling all about learning and unlearning, knowing and unknowing?
They
are also planning to include kayaking within Cabgan’s waterways which is
perfect for kayaking routes and a good alternative to have a close encounter
with the species living there. And of course, food will never be out of place
as food is an integral part of society. To know the place well is to eat its
food. To live in a coast is to indulge in its seafood.
All of these can be experienced by availing a tour package of five which is priced PHP 850 per person. It is inclusive of breakfast, boat rides to the island, mangrove tours, bats roosting watching, gleaning, basic mangrove identification, tow refreshments, cultural presentation by locals, lunch and snacks. And if your looking forward to an overnight stay, Tubigon has some cheap inns and hostels like Monina RM, Ligayas Pension House and more available online.
Availing a tour package is the only way to experience Cabgan Island. The Tubigon Tourism Office facilitates the tour. The phone numbers are: (038) 508-8496 and (038) 508-8222; e-mail address: ttcadoffice@yahoo.com. you can also visit: http://www.boholtourismph.com/cabgan-island-ecotour-2/
ILIJAN NORTE MAN-MADE LAGOON (NIA)
Located in Barangay Ilijan Norte, Tubigon, Bohol lies a very big and wide man-made lagoon called Nia. It’s water can rise up at its highest point during rainy seasons. This lagoon is purposely built for irrigation of the local resident’s rice fields. The water here is purely fresh water coming from different rivers connected in the lagoon. One can enjoy fishing here as the lagoon is teeming with fish. The things needed for fishing is personally provided and fishing is for free.
Other activities like bonding and picnic with family and friends, team building, kayaking, sight seeing, camping and swimming is also offered here. You will surely enjoy the breeze of cool and fresh air, the peace and serenity of the place, the escape and relaxation, enjoyment and fun, adventure and the view perfect for moments. Also take your best shots and strike a pose of the picturesque place.
CABGAN ISLAND COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM PROJECT
Bats are quite sensitive. Nocturnal creatures as they are, they rest and sleep during the day. They should not be disturbed. So it is advised to approach the roosting place with the elegance and quietness of a predator. Aside from an aviary sighting, Cabgan Island also paves the way for learning as they tell us facts and information about the aviary and marine creatures, the biodiversity of the place and all about mangroves like how to identify a male and female mangrove just by the texture and shape of its leaves. It might not answer climate change, but it always pays to know what grows in our very land and come home with a learning or two. Isn’t traveling all about learning and unlearning, knowing and unknowing?
All of these can be experienced by availing a tour package of five which is priced PHP 850 per person. It is inclusive of breakfast, boat rides to the island, mangrove tours, bats roosting watching, gleaning, basic mangrove identification, tow refreshments, cultural presentation by locals, lunch and snacks. And if your looking forward to an overnight stay, Tubigon has some cheap inns and hostels like Monina RM, Ligayas Pension House and more available online.
Availing a tour package is the only way to experience Cabgan Island. The Tubigon Tourism Office facilitates the tour. The phone numbers are: (038) 508-8496 and (038) 508-8222; e-mail address: ttcadoffice@yahoo.com. you can also visit: http://www.boholtourismph.com/cabgan-island-ecotour-2/
ILIJAN NORTE MAN-MADE LAGOON (NIA)
Located in Barangay Ilijan Norte, Tubigon, Bohol lies a very big and wide man-made lagoon called Nia. It’s water can rise up at its highest point during rainy seasons. This lagoon is purposely built for irrigation of the local resident’s rice fields. The water here is purely fresh water coming from different rivers connected in the lagoon. One can enjoy fishing here as the lagoon is teeming with fish. The things needed for fishing is personally provided and fishing is for free.
Other activities like bonding and picnic with family and friends, team building, kayaking, sight seeing, camping and swimming is also offered here. You will surely enjoy the breeze of cool and fresh air, the peace and serenity of the place, the escape and relaxation, enjoyment and fun, adventure and the view perfect for moments. Also take your best shots and strike a pose of the picturesque place.
Cottages
with prices ranging from PHP 50 up is available. Be sure to bring your own
foods and stuffs because stores are far from the place. If you plan to do some
of the activities, just approach the barangay hall and look for the officer in
charge. ILIJAN HILL
Just a few walk from Nia lies Ilijan Hill. It is chocolate hills like
hill in the Barangays of Ilijan Norte and Ilijan Sur. One can notice this hill
easily whether you just dock the port or you are somewhere else in Tubigon
because its one of a kind. One can do trekking, hiking, or mountaineering here.
Take photos of the place and of the whole Municipality once you’re on top.
Inquiries, permits and activities are entertained in either of the two barangay
halls.
DUMOG SANDBAR
Just
a few meters from the port of Tubigon lies a fine & white sandbar
surrounded by a cool & crystal clear water. Here, you can enjoy the
majestic and refreshing view perfect for shoots and selfies! You can also dip,
dive, swim, and enjoy the cool & crystal clear water . Craving for a tan sun-kissed skin? Dumog Sandbar might just be
the place for that! There is only one, old, and damaged hut that serves as
shade against the sunlight which could be a nightmare for those people seeking
for fair skin tone. This sandbar can be seen depending on the tides, if the
tide is too high, this sandbar is not visible. If you want to do some scuba diving,
jet skiing or some other activities in water, just bring your own materials and
things.
One can reach the area by
motorboats. You can negotiate with the motorboat owners for the price going to
the sandbar. It could be in the range of PHP 500 and above. Bring your own food
and drinks and also personal stuffs because the sandbar has no available stores
or accommodations. TUBIGON LOOM-WEAVING MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
A manufacturer of bags, placemats, coasters, and many others, Tubigon
Loom-weaving Multi-purpose Cooperative has become an attraction itself. I loved
observing women doing their craft. The weaving looked intricate and
time-consuming. Imagine, turning yards after yards of loom into colorful fabric
and textile. If you happen to visit the area, you’ll be amaze by the process.
They’ll teach you how to do the basic and simple stuffs though. To experience
this, its actually part of the itinerary of some tour package but if you just
happen to pass by, you can interact directly with them. 
THE WAY TO THE NORTHERN GATEWAY
One can reach
Tubigon via sea travel through its port. If you are traveling via Tagbilaran,
you can reach Tubigon in 1 hour and 30 minutes using PUV’s or with a private
vehicle, the travel time could be lesser. PUV’s heading to Tubigon can be found
in Dao Integrated Bus Terminal. The usual fee for buses is PHP 50 and PHP 60
above for vans.
Once you reach Tubigon, you go directly to the Municipal Building located near the Community Hospital and head to the Tourism Office for inquiries and complete details regarding the said destinations. It is advisable to ask for advice and information in the Tourism Office to avoid instances wherein tourists are being taken advantage by locals.
Once you reach Tubigon, you go directly to the Municipal Building located near the Community Hospital and head to the Tourism Office for inquiries and complete details regarding the said destinations. It is advisable to ask for advice and information in the Tourism Office to avoid instances wherein tourists are being taken advantage by locals.
