T H E  N O R T H E R N  G A T E W A Y                                                                                      

                                                                            TUBIGON, a first income class municipality in the province of Bohol seems to be just the typical gateway. It has been a jump-off point for local and foreign tourists. It has been the usual stop for refueling among inland travelers and for visitors to get directions before going further on their Bohol trip.                                 

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.                                                                                       

 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.                                                                                                                                                                                             

There’s so much more in Bohol as there is also in Tubigon! Many undiscovered shores and attractions are to be revealed and discovered. We must learn to protect, conserve and preserve these treasures in order to pass it for the coming generations.