Cagayan's Gem

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty years ago I set foot on an island that is at the farthest end of Luzon. It is 642 kms. from Manila and was so remote back then that it took 24 hours for me to get there. Today, this pristine island can easily be reached by air-conditioned luxury buses, or by plane via Tuguagarao airport and then by a 2 ½ hour land trip.

This paradise of an island is Palaui. Some friends call it Palau with an “i”. It is part of the municipality of Sta.Ana and the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. Six years ago, the once sleepy town started to buzz with life as businesses started locating in the area. It was followed by the arrival of the first wave of tourists. Guided by the vision that the frontier town will eventually become a hub for tourism and agro-industry , the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) focused on creating the right environment for investment and tourism.

Dream Island

Having been identified as the most pristine natural attraction in Sta.Ana, Palaui Island became the site for the community-based sustainable tourism project that CEZA launched in 2006. The entire island and its surrounding coral reefs and water have been declared in 1994 as a protected landscape and seascape under the NIPAS law. Palaui boasts of having 70 % forest cover, thick mangrove forests, extensive seagrass meadows, caves, waterfalls and beautiful rolling hills. It is characterized by a rugged coastline on the north and west side, and long stretch of sandy beaches that are hugged by inter-tidal zones along the south and eastern portions. The western part of the island is fringed by stunning coral reefs that gradually slope down from 20 to 40 ft. before they plunge steeply all the way to 120 ft. or more. In the shallow coral gardens are numerous tropical reef fishes, colorful soft corals, anemones and well preserved branching and foliose corals. Small coves serve as habitats for interesting marine life forms making the island ideal for snorkeling activities.

During the rainy months, the seascape turns surreal as several waterfalls may be seen along the beaches. Since there are no major river system on the island, rain flow through several creeks and eventually end up draining to the sea. The rugged western shore becomes an enchanting display of waterfalls.

Scientists who have visited Palaui are often amazed at the state of the ecosystems and the biodiversity. The potential for education, recreation and adventure is enormous considering the numerous natural attributes of this island destination.

Despite its distance from urban areas, it is not difficult to reach and there are amenities and facilities on the mainland that can make the visit quite comfortable. Palaui is therefore being branded as a “dream island” since adventure doesn’t have to be synonymous with sacrifice. One can spend a day in Palaui snorkeling and hiking and yet be able to sleep in a nice comfortable hotel at the mainland. Very few places in the Philippines can offer such an experience. This possibility is opening Sta.Ana to enormous opportunities for tourism development.

Eco-historical Trails

The terrestrial portion of the island hosts a wide variety of life. The late ecologists Leonard Co and Dan Lagunzad have trekked the trails together with botanist Perry Ong of the Institute of Biology of the University of the Philippines and they have documented several interesting species of flora and fauna. Two of three existing trails of the island have been named after the scientists who both passed away in 2010.

The Lagunzad Trail which starts from Punta Verde in the south follows the coastal zone east of the island and ends at Cape Engaño over at the north. It is a very scenic route which offers a variety of hiking experiences. The Leonardo’s Trail on the other hand, cuts across the forest and offers a more intimate exposure with plants and animals. It also ends at the north which is known for the centuries-old Spanish lighthouse. Built in 1887, the lighthouse was completed in 1892 after several of its builders died of illnesses due to harsh conditions. It is now the northern –most Spanish Lighthouse in the country.

Trained island guides provide life-enriching interpretations which combine a bit of ecology, geology and history. Tourism is no longer just a picnic. It is a life-enhancing experience designed to teach people values and promote a responsible attitude towards travel. Endowed with a tapestry of ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity, hikes can prove to be quite interesting. From Punta Verde one will cross a hanging bridge in the mangrove area and walk along a wide expanse of inter-tidal zone thick with seagrass and dotted by natural pools that are exposed during low tide. A long stretch of white sandy beach that is laced with a beach forest is the second leg of the hike. Interesting species of trees and shrubs provide material for stories by guides on how they are used for medicinal purposes. A slight hike across the hill will bring one to a valley that is characterized by a patchwork of grassland and rice farms. A half hour hike further north is the viewing area where one can see Dos Hermanos islands on one side and the extensive forest canopy of Palaui at the other.

But nothing can beat the breathtaking scenery from the top of the hill over where the Faro de Cabo Engaño has been built. From there, one can have a sweeping view of the stunning landscape and seascape. On a perfectly clear day one can even see as far as Camiguin.

Heritage for the future

CEZA CEO and Administrator Sec. Jose Mari B. Ponce emphasized that Palaui is a heritage not only of the people of Cagayan but of all Filipinos. This is further reiterated by DENR Regional Director Benjamin Tumaliuan who said that Palaui as a protected area is ecologically valuable and as such, only sustainable tourism should be implemented. Tumaliuan adds that through ecotourism enterprises, the people will be empowered to benefit economically from the resources without taking anything.

There is simply too much at stake. The wrong kind of tourism can destroy something that is so important to the country. According to scientists, it is highly possible that there are plants and animals that may be discovered in Palaui that are yet to be identified. Just a year ago Dr. Mike Fortes of the Marine Science Institute discovered Halophila gaudichaudii over at Siwangag Cove, a first record for the Philippines.

Due to its natural and cultural attributes Palaui is unique and valuable. It was, in fact, declared by the National Museum as a National Cultural Property and should therefore, be protected. Being a protected area, it is being managed by a multi-sectoral body called Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). The General Management Plan of the island adopts a tourism framework that espouses conservation, education and recreation. Tourism is seen as a tool towards conservation since it provides motivation for island residents to protect the resources. Ecotourism enterprises have recently been introduced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP) that provided technical and financial assistance to the Palaui Environmental Protectors Association (PEPA). They had been tasked to be the stewards of the island. With all these concerted effort the vision for Palaui may actually come true – for it to remain as a destination for many generations.

[ Cagayan Wiki ]