Capitol to Push Nug-as Forest Reserve as Eco-Tourism Destination

The Cebu Provincial Government will help place Nug-as Forest Reserve in Alcoy town to be in the forefront of Capitol’s tourism campaign that aims to make Cebu a community-based eco-tourism destination.

The Nug-as Forest Reserve office is currently facing challenges in water supply, accommodation, and lack of local ordinance that organizes the natural reserve.

Alcoy Mayor Michael Sestoso said their forest’s reception area made out of a two-story house lacks enough space for tourists, standard rental rates and penalties.

“Kabalo mi lisod pag promote diri. Na-hisgotan namo ni Vice Gov ganiha ang problema sa tubig, facilities (kay) wala man pud tay ma-rentahan, kanang mga kapuy-an. Usa pud ang among ordinansa dili pa gyud mi kumpleto, parti sa mga bayad ana wala pa mi kahimo ba,” Sestoso said.

The mayor said he invited Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Provincial Tourism Officer Boboi Costas for an overnight stay in the highland forest last July 21 and 22 together with the members of the Capitol Association of Reporters in Tri-Media (CART).

The forest reserve, located in barangay Nug-as, is home to endemic plants and bird species.

Various classes of birds including Cebu flowerpecker (scientific name Dicaeum quadricolor), an endangered species, and Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis) locally known as Siloy can be found in the reserve.

A local Hawk-owl (Ninox rumseyi), Philippine Bulbul and wild pigeon can also be seen in the natural attraction.

The 1,600-hectare high ground stands to more than 700 meters above sea level and the wilderness is known to be the home of Cebu mistletoe and Cebu Cinnamon tree.

Costas said they will launch the “Big 5 Tourist Destination” in August which will include Nug-as in Alcoy.

The Big 5, Costas said, is a cluster of five destinations in Cebu where local communities places prime on conservation of natural and cultural heritage as the center of tourism.

Costas said they will assist the town in formulating a local ordinance that promotes and preserve its ecology.

With the assistance of Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCA), Costas said the conservation of the remaining forest will be their thrust.

With the entry of Cebu Provincial Government, the farmers in the area will also be assisted in integrating livelihood to farming, said Costas.

“We wanted biodiversity conservation and tourism kay pwede man diay siya,” said Costas in introducing eco-tourism.

He said there are success stories in other countries which uses biodiversity as a tool in advancing the livelihood of the communities through tourism.

“Mao na ang gibuhat karon nga model,” said Costas.

Sestoso said being included in the “Big Five” is already a big boost in their eco-tourism promotion.

“Kalambuan sa Matag Sugbuanon, mao gyud na ang thrust sa probinsiya,” said Magpale.

Nug-as Forest Reserve is among the largest forest cover in Cebu and is identified by the National Government as among the “key biodiversity areas” in 2006 to establish biodiversity conservation priorities and programs.

cebu.gov.ph