BILAR - The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) got it right when it conducted the two-day team building activity at Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL), particularly the Magsaysay Park, in barangay Riverside, this municipality. The activity was spearheaded by Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, now head of the Social Economic Environmental Management(SEEM) cluster, Governor's Office and Officer-in-charge Larry Pamugas. According to a participant, the undertaking was worthwhile since it was done in a special venue where the natural surroundings were at its best. The activity was intended to improve relationship or bonding among the PAO workers and their spiritual and mental growth that would practically evolve into work efficiency.

One of the resource persons was professor Joe Travero of the Bohol Island State University Bilar campus. The holding of such activity was a cue for officials concerned that the almost-abandoned RSPL needs attention. Some of its structures inside the Magsaysay Park are already dilapidated and beyond use. RSPL, which a an important feature of the Loboc Reforestation Project, is an example of how to preserve forest with some 9,136 hectares of forest cover to maintain ecological soundness for bird watching and other healthy environmental endeavors. Formerly, Rajah Sikatuna National Park came into being by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 129 on July 10 1982 then it became the RSPL by virtue of PP No. 287 signed on April 23, 2000 by then Pres. Joseph Estrada.

It covers some 10,452 hectares within the towns of Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia-Hernandez, Bilar, Batuan, Carmen and Sierra-Bullones along with 29 barangays. Within this area, found are some 1,500 hectares of exotic species with 195 faunal species documented. Interestingly, the area is abundant or rich with rare species such as 25 species of bats, 120 species of birds, 13 species of non-flying mammals,20 species of frogs, seven species of lizards and 10 species of snakes. DENR said that the disturbance such as land conversion to agricultural development did not deter these species to thrive and survive.