Ecology-friendly resort adopts ‘Protect and Preserve’ slogan

Cala Buena, formerly known as Caylabne Resort has recently opened its doors to divers, independent volunteer groups, and the Philippine Marines during the celebration of its first Cala Buena Preservation Day.

The event was held to promote awareness and action toward preserving the environment. It also hoped to effect positive change in all levels of society. Information gathered during the activity will result in the formation of programs for responsible solid waste management and heighten the importance of a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

Located in a spectacular hidden cove set like a jewel between the mountains and the sea, and surrounded by virgin rainforests in Ternate, Cavite, Cala Buena is neighbor to national parks that are known for their extraordinary biodiversity. The region is a frequent destination for mountaineers and adventure-seekers.

This 160-hectare property lies in the midst of a marine and forest sanctuary, home to the Maragondon Monkey and 77 species of birds, as documented by the Philippine Bird Watching Society.

Cala Buena has recently taken steps to ensure that the natural flora and fauna of the property are successfully protected. In January of this year, the resort began work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to declare the property a "Mangrove Reservation Area" because of the diversified species composition of its natural stand of mangroves.

Last month, the property was visited by senior officers from the United Nations Development Program’s Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (UNDP-PEMSEA), who were pleasantly surprised at the level of preservation of the mangroves, a rare site in the fastdeveloping coastal landscape of Philippine tourism destinations today. The mangrove reserves at Cala Buena serve as the breeding grounds of the diverse marine life, which the resort is committed to develop in the coming years.

Cala Buena also works actively with learning institutions. It hosted students from Miriam College in January to study the Taxonomy and Morphology of Mangrove Species and with members of the De La Salle University Cavite for continued research in this area.

Taking its commitment to the environment a step further, the resort has created formal and informal knowledge-enhancing programs for children. Its Las Casas de Cala Buena community, for example, boasts a variety of plant life from flowering bushes to fruitbearing trees – an effort to bring together the bountiful harvest of Mother Nature.