DANAO – This sleepy 4th class municipality can now assert as the tourism extreme adventure capital of Bohol , or probably in the entire country, as it launched its latest attractions ---- cable car or the “sky ride” and canyon swing or the “plunge” patterned after the one in New Zealand. No less Tourism Sec. Ace Durano formally opened last Thursday the launching of Danao Adventure Park and the laying of the foundation of the Danao Eco-Lodge intended for more accommodation for visitors. The latest come-ons (sky ride, the plunge) are in addition to 400-meter zipline or “suislide,” aside from other adventure such as rappelling, kayaking, across the long and winding Wahig-Inabanga river. Joining him were Mayor Tom Gonzaga and Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, provincial administrator Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr., Rep. Edgar Chatto and other provincial and local and tourism officials, The town's surge into the national and international tourism map has caught the attention of the Department of Tourism even as Danao's extreme adventure tourism “is not even in the radar of the DOT,” said Durano in his speech. 

Dubbed as E. A. T. Danao for Extreme-eco-educational adventure tour, Danao Adventure Park is the home (or hideout) of then Boholano rebel leader, Francisco Dagohoy, who launched the longest rebellion against the Spanish. It is now converted into a sanctuary where the remains (human bones believed to be that of descendants of Dagohoy) and Dagohoy cave are preserved, said Mayor Tom Gonzaga.. It offers a variety of adventures such as, caving or spelunking, root climbing, rappelling, trekking, camping, organic farm visitation, village tour, bouldering, river trekking, zip-lining or “suislide,” and kayaking and tubing for tremendous experience to the visitor's delight and their hearts content.

Lessons from Danao experience

Durano, in his speech after cutting the ceremonial ribbon, put emphasis on three lessons, which should be emulated to those who want to develop their own. One is that Danao is proud of its potentials in history, culture and natural resources, which the townsfolk have developed with strong cooperation among the stakeholders. Secondly, local leadership of Danao “is indispensable,” he said. With this, DOT will come in only or participate in projects where the initiative comes from the community or the people themselves. As things turned-out Danao showed the tourism sector how and “there's really an exponential success rate” of Danao's stride. He added that the dimension of success of tourism development “is when our beneficiaries don't need us anymore.”  And thirdly, tourism in this country can work anywhere and Danao has shown that, he said. Now the town, a 4th class municipality, has the “first class leadership and first class tourism experience.” Durano noted that the community work together in pushing their agricultural produce because of the demand generated by tourism. And this becomes an incentive in improving their agricultural productivity.  

On the other hand, the problem now facing the townsfolk is that they cannot produce enough food supply for their guests coming in. Almost all of the foods served in the restaurant are organic produce by the community. Abapo, who just gave a short message, described the adventure park as “the best adventure park in the Philippines .” Herrera, on the other hand, lauded the initiative instituted by Danaonons and Mayor Gonzaga, saying he has full support, in behalf of Gov. Erico Aumentado, for the ecological adventure program. For his part, Chatto said that the eco park gives sense of identity and pride for Danao and Bohol as a whole. He added that he recognized the strong leadership and people's participation in the tourism development.

Income

The tourism secretary said that almost P20 million have been poured to the eco-park with help of the DOT and other sectors. But now, said Mayor Tom Gonzaga, it is earning an average of a million pesos a month, which is equivalent to an income of the town's public market in a year. Vice-Mayor Jose Cepedoza said that the peak season of May, the eco-park generated close to P2 million income.  The Danao Eco-Park Adventure is the recipient of PhP600,000.00 fund assistance courtesy of the Office of the Vice-Governor as seed money for the construction of an eco-lodge to house the growing visitors here.

Assistance

As gesture of support, Herrera handed over the check (P600,000) to Gonzaga for the construction of Eco-Lodge of the Park during the 48th town foundation day celebration before hundreds of crowd at the public market. He said that Durano made commitment to chip in P1.2 million as counterpart for the same project. Another windfall for Danao is the amount of P250,000 from the provincial capitol turned-over by Provincial Administrator Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr. for the additional improvement of the park.  Chatto also assured Danao of P1 million inserted in the General Appropriations Act for the preservation of the Dagohoy sanctuary after he handed over a document supporting the said budget during the same occasion.

How it started?

Municipal information and tourism officer Loinda Saluan said that the townsfolk began conceptualizing the project to what is now called E. A. T. Danao Adventure Park in 2006. Mayor Gonzaga, however, told the crowd that those who came before them already “saw the potentials” of the area. The founder and first mayor of this town Mayor Leopoldo P. Vitor, Sr. “envisioned” this.  Gonzaga said that today (foundation day) “we honor” him. The adventure park does “not only gives us employment, it has given us hope” for a 4th class municipality, he said. Saluan added that the main objective of the project is “to preserve and enrich the historic and cultural assets of the areas and with the belief that it could open wide possibilities and opportunities for our people,” thus the entire community took the courage to venture into ecological tourism and to take advantage of the tourism boom. The town availed of the Community-based Resource Management Program- SFF of the World Bank and the Department of Finance and DOT with the cooperation of the different people's organization as service providers. All the 15 adventure alternatives offered by the park “are all product of Filipino ingenuity,” she said. Saluan gave credit to the town officials, saying they are very proud because of political will of their leaders and the assistance of private sector and adventure group and the “commitment of our people.” Among the special guests during the ground breaking ceremonies include Makati councilor Armand Padilla, (who represented Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay) and his wife, Undersec. Eduardo Jarque, Jr., director Rolando Canizal, board members Ma. Fe. C. Lejos, Amalia Tirol, Ester Corazon Galbreath (SP tourism committee chair), provincial tourism officer Jo R. Cabarrus, the local and national media and foreign visitors. (RVO)