PARANAS, Samar – Members of the Samar Island Natural Park – Protected Area Management Board (SINP-PAMB) and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Eastern Visayas (DENR-8) who recently visited one of the country’s most unique and successful Protected Area (PA) site admitted they have gained valuable lessons and experiences especially in planning, implementation and management of protected area that can be replicated in Samar Island.

Last October 5-8, 2009, DENR Regional Technical Director Ricardo T. Tomol and SIBP Project Manager and concurrently SINP Superintendent Dir. Manolito D. Ragub led the team composed of DENR officials, SINP staffs, and LGU representatives to Mount Banahaw – San Cristobal Protected Landscape in Los Banos, Laguna.

The primary objective of their cross visit is to share and learn experiences on creating partnerships for conservation with local government units, civil society and non-government organizations in Region 4. This is aside from their self bid to further enhance themselves’ capability in planning and park management.

In a travel report provided to this paper, SIBP training and HRD chief Eires M. Mate, who served as activity coordinator, said the team were able to visit various protected areas such as the Ninoy Aquino Protected and Wildlife Conservation, Asean Centre for Biodiversity (Laguna), Taytay and Majayjay Falls, Experimental Mangrove Research Station, Mt. Banahaw and San Cristobal Protected Landscape in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON), all located in Region 4.

In Laguna, Ms. Mate informed that the best practices they have learned are more on ecotourism packages and approaches. “(This) can be replicated to boost ecotourism development in the SINP,” Mate said. She stressed that among the lessons learned in Laguna is about environmental education, effectiveness of business enterprise, establishment of signage, importance of monitoring and evaluation, cave management and website (marketing).

As a side trip, the participants also had the opportunity to visit the Lamesa Eco Park which is being managed by the ABS-CBN foundation, LGU of Quezon City and the Metropolitan Water Sewerage System. Accordingly, the team learned that the park is a recipient of Multi-national Corporation that provides financial support in the development, establishment and maintenance of the park facilities.

Towards the end of their 4-day tour, an SINP Executive Committee meeting was held to generate reflections on the activity. Most of them shared insights and inputs about their own experiences. Back home, they said, they will consider reviewing the PAMB Manual of Operations; consider creating committees on resource conservation monitoring and presentation of Sohoton Cave Tourism conceptual framework.