As tourism has a multiplier effect—creating not only jobs but also livelihood opportunities through offering of goods and services—sustainability ensures the preservation of destinations, thriving of culture and traditions, and inclusive growth. Moreover, as sustainability measures often involve the community, the locals themselves become part of the meaningful experience of their hometown’s visitors. 

Here are the top sustainable tourism destinations for your next adventures in the Philippines and the communities that you will encounter on an unforgettable journey.

The eco-friendly locals of Mt. Hamiguitan and Mt. Apo in Davao

The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental is Mindanao’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site, with attractions such as a pygmy forest where trees are stunted to only about 4.5 feet in height. There are 1,974 endemic plant and animal species that have been identified so far, including carnivorous pitcher plants, the iconic Philippine Eagle, Philippine cockatoo, and golden crowned flying foxes.  The locals are engaged not only in tourism but also in sustainable livelihood programs. One of these is beekeeping using the native stingless bee species called ‘kiyot’. This also helps with pollinating and protecting Mt. Hamiguitan’s vegetation.  

The Mount Apo Natural Park is home to 272 bird species, 111 of which are endemic, including the Philippine Eagle which is the largest in the world. The mountain is also inhabited by several indigenous groups: the Manobos, Bagobos, and Klata who consider it as a sacred mountain. They perfectly demonstrate how to coexist in harmony with the environment. Trek porters are equipped by the local tourism offices to share their knowledge of the mountain and its conservation. 

The artisans of Ilocos, Panay Island, Eastern Visayas, and Central Mindanao

The women of Ilocos, particularly in the towns of Paoay, Vigan, Pinili, down to the towns of Santiago in Ilocos Sur and Bangar in La Union have been weaving from their homes since pre-Hispanic times. Their hand-loomed Inabel fabric, made from cotton blends is made into blankets, table covers, and even apparel, such as bags, shoes, and face masks for the new normal, with traditional designs that have been passed down through generations. 

Panay Island also has a proud tradition of weaving, with several weaving communities across the island. In Aklan, they dexterously weave the fibers of the piña or Red Bisaya pineapple plant into delicate-looking cloth made into home decor and even formal apparel. Aklanon weavers are known for their piña and silk cloth creations that are embroidered with floral designs while the weavers of Iloilo and Antique are known for employing the suk-suk or inlaid weft technique in hablon and patadyong cloth.

Weavers in Eastern Visayas use materials harvested from plants that grow abundantly in their area to craft mats that can be used for sleeping or fashioned into decorative items such as place mats and plant holders or even bags and fans. These materials range from abaca, buri palm, coconut leaves and ribs, rattan and tikog or reed grass, pandan, pawa which is a type of thin bamboo, and seagrass. 

The surfing communities of La Union, Baler, Siargao, Surigao del Sur and Eastern Samar

The surfing hotspots of the Philippines have produced not only a burgeoning tourism industry but also world-class local surfers. Those living in the islands have picked up the sport and the waters of La Union, Baler, Siargao, Surigao del Sur and Eastern Samar have increasingly seen more locals on their boards. These friendly Filipino surfers are the embodiment of the laidback local surfing lifestyle and are also staunch advocates of caring for their marine environment. 

The culinarians of Iloilo City, Bacolod, Zamboanga City, and Davao City

Visiting the different regions of the Philippines is a taste trip, with each province contributing richly to the food map of the country, with recipes that make use of what is easily available in their locality. A cultural awareness of these dishes and the resulting food tourism ensures that not only the recipes are handed down to the next generation but heirloom produce will continue being planted by the local farmers.

Iloilo city is considered as one of the food capitals of the Philippines, with flavorful delicacies such as bowls of La Paz Batchoy noodles and Molo Soup. Negros Occidental is called the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines for its fields of sweet sugarcane. Among their preferred dishes for guests especially those visiting its capital city, Bacolod are Inasal (chicken grilled over hot coals), Piaya (unleavened flatbread filled with muscovado sugar), and Kansi or beef shank with bone marrow cooked in broth flavored with a local souring agent called Batwan.

Seafood abounds in Zamboanga, and their must-try dishes include ingredients such as a crustacean locally called Curacha, Imbao or mangrove clams, snails called Kulo, and Lato — a seaweed that resembles small green grapes, or commonly known as green caviar. Davao is known for its fruits, ranging from pineapples, bananas, sweet pomelos, and the infamous durian. For a memorable meal, try the specialties that make use of fresh seafood such as Kinilaw, the local version of ceviche, and Sinugba or freshly-grilled seafood.           

The farming communities of Negros Occidental

To experience life on a Filipino farm, visit the 14 farm tourism sites that have been accredited by the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas. These farms highlight the potential of sustainable agriculture that can provide income streams for the communities who profit from both the produce and their eco-tours. Visitors can relax and appreciate the bounty of nature while learning the technology applied to the farming practices suited to the climate and soil conditions of the area.

Travel safely!

All these tourist destinations have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel, Apple Store, or Google Playstore.

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Amid a lush tropical forest in Central Visayas in the Philippines, one can find stunning old caves, soothing waterfalls, and expansive rivers all in one place. The Samar Island Natural Park, or Samar Island, is a vast, tree-blanketed landscape teeming with wildlife. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a follower of trails, you’ll find that Samar Island has beautiful places and wonderful adventures to offer.

Samar Island is the largest terrestrial protected area in the Philippines, spanning 335,105.57       hectares of old-growth contiguous forest, excluding its buffer zone. Together with the buffer      zone, it covers the three provinces of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar. It overlaps with 34 municipalities and three cities in these provinces. 

First declared a protected area (PA) in 2003, Samar Island is listed among the PAs under Republic Act 11038 of 2018. It is among the 113 legislated PAs throughout the country. As a protected area, Samar Island is set apart for its unique biodiversity, ecological richness, and needed preservation.

The Forests and Karst Landscapes of Samar Island

Samar Island is essentially composed of lowland forests, with its highest elevation at 811 meters above sea level. 

Most of the trees in its evergreen forests keep their leaves throughout the year, while some of its forests grow over karsts or land made up of limestone. Because rainwater can slowly erode limestone, among the eroded land emerge rocky cliffs. 

Samar Island holds one of the largest limestone areas in the country, the Calbiga karst. Within Calbiga is a protected landscape of 12 caves, including the five-kilometer long Langun-Gobingob System, the world’s third largest karst formation and the Philippines’ largest cave system. Its main chamber is able to fit as much as three football fields. Such makes Langun-Gobingob a dream destination for spelunkers and other adventure travelers. 

Protected Area Superintendent Zenaida Baisa said that aside from Calbiga, Sohoton and Paranas are the two other key areas in Samar Island. Sohoton also features caves as well as a natural bridge, typically formed when mountain ridges connect and water flows underneath them. Paranas is most known perhaps for its ecotrail. 

There are 25 major river systems flowing through Samar Island, including the Ulot River. Breathtaking waterfalls, such as Amandaraga and  Lulugayan, also await visitors of the natural park. 

The Biodiversity in Samar Island

Samar Island is a haven to rich tropical flora and fauna. It is a key biodiversity area, an important place for wildlife both in Samar and greater Mindanao.

Tall trees like lauan, apitong, and narra tower over Samar Island’s forests. In Basey alone, at least 23 threatened species of plants may be found, while 28 Philippine endemic species have been reported. 

On the forest floor of Samar Island, a critically endangered kind of rafflesia, a parasitic flower, may be found typically attached to a specific kind of vine, the Tetrastigma. 

The protected area is also home to flowering plants as well as plants used for medicinal purposes. 

Enthusiasts may also consider Samar Island in their list of places to travel to watch wildlife. Endemic or resident mammals in the area include the Philippine brown deer, warty pig, flying lemur, and tarsier, as well as the Mindanao pygmy squirrel. Previously seen too are civets, flying foxes, and bats. There are also the Mindanao flying lizard, Philippine sailfin lizard, and different forest and tree frogs.

Bird watchers can look forward to spotting the Tarictic and Visayan hornbill, the serpent eagle, the barred honey buzzard, the purple-throated sunbird, and many others from at least 121 bird species surveyed in select areas of Samar Island. 

The country’s national bird, the large and powerful Philippine eagle, was first found in the area. It is a critically endangered species. 

Activities in Samar Island

The vastness of Samar Island and the variety in its water and land forms give visitors plenty of options in terms of things to do in the natural park.

Adventure lovers may swim in the refreshing waters of Lulugayan Falls in Calbiga, take a torpedo boat ride along Ulot River, or visit the caves in Calbiga and Sohoton, including the Langun-Gobingob. 

Trekking and kayaking are among the other activities that visitors may do in Samar Island.

Those who enjoy the quiet may find themselves enjoying the Paranas ecotrail and birding site. 

Visiting requires reservation particularly for large groups. In Sohoton, a package that includes an array of activities may cost a visitor up to P3,600. 

Ways to Get to Samar Island

There are many ways to enter Samar Island Natural Park. Those coming from Manila may take a plane to Tacloban, and from there may either take a ride from Tacloban to Sohoton or hire a vehicle or commute to Basey. 

Visitors who are traveling by land from Manila to Matnog may ride a ferry boat from Matnog and get to Allen, and then enter through Paranas where the natural park’s headquarters is located. The distance from Allen to the headquarters is around 200 kilometers. 

Government efforts to conserve Philippine PAs 

Currently, there are 247 PAs under the NIPAS, 113 of which have been legislated, 13 have been proclaimed by the President, and 120 remain as initial components of the System. The NIPAS was established by virtue of Republic Act 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992, and amended by Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS (ENIPAS) Act of 2018.

NIPAS is the classification and administration of all designated PAs to maintain essential ecological processes to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure the sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible.

The year 2022 marks the 90th anniversary of PA establishment in the country through Republic Act 3915 that was enacted on 1 February 1932. In line with this, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed a joint declaration to support the celebration of the Year of the Protected Areas or the YoPA Campaign, which promotes Philippine national parks.

The DENR, through its Biodiversity Management Bureau, and the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of UNDP Philippines, in partnership with the DOT and DILG, are working together to promote protected areas under the NIPAS. They are also working with other agencies at the national and local levels to ensure effective conservation and sustainable management for national parks nationwide.

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