DENR-12 Allots Php 6.18 M For Development Of New Ecotourism Site In Lake Sebu

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 12 has approved the release of around Php 6.18 million for the development of a new ecotourism site in Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato.

Forester Leonisa Alfaro, area superintendent of the Allah Valley Protected Landscape, said Tuesday they had started the ground works for the establishment of various tourism facilities in Sitio Talubek, Barangay Lamlahak in Lake Sebu.

She said the area had been chosen as among the pilot sites in the region for the agency’s community-based agri-ecotourism (CBAET) program.

“The project mainly aims to help provide employment and livelihood opportunities for the community through agri-ecotourism,” she said.

CBAET is a flagship initiative of the DENR that focuses on the protection and conservation of critical natural resources through the involvement of local communities.

In Region 12 or Soccsksargen, the agency adopted Lake Sebu town as a focal area for the project to protect and conserve its watershed areas.

Lake Sebu is part of the 102,350-hectare Allah Valley Protected Landscape, which covers four municipalities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

It is composed of the 92,450-hectare Allah Valley Watershed Forest Reserve and the 9,900-hectare Lake Sebu Watershed Forest Reserve.

Under the project, Alfaro said they would establish an office in the area, concrete bridge, river pool, tribal house, foot trail, butterfly garden, arboretum, communal farm, and an inland fishery farm.

She said these developments, which will be implemented by phase, would be funded under the DENR central office’s ecotourism fund.

The agency has partnered with the municipal government of Lake Sebu, the Upland Development Association, Talubek Unified Development Association, and Lake Sebu National High School for the rollout of the project, she said.

It is also supported by the Provincial Environment Management Office and the National Commission on Indigenous People.

DENR-12 has signed a memorandum of agreement with the municipal government and other local stakeholders to facilitate the project’s implementation.(PNA) RMA/AVE/HST