BACLAYON. – Pamilacan, an island-barangay, oval-shaped and all of 120-has. in size island off this oldest town that can be reached by motorized boat cruising for about 45 minutes, is endowed with historical facts, rich fishing ground, unparalleled beauty of nature and the above-and-under-water ecological tourism appeal. It is sometimes dubbed a heart-beat in tourism if the province of Bohol is the heart of the islands. But this moniker remains as an “island of promise,” said a resident here. He said the island still short of the necessary amenity and facilities to cater to tourists and nobody dares yet to heftily invest in here. Asked why, he answered in the negative. He added that the island is very promising in terms of tourism but it should be developed into a tourism come-on that may provide benefits to the islanders economically at the same time put in place measures cushioning the impact into the environment.

He said the people here need the boost of their incomes following the strict ban on harpooning of whale-sharks and manta rays years back as their main occupation. But he admitted that some of them are into tourism as dolphin spotter and do paddle their guests to snorkel. He said however that this livelihood is seasonal which prompted them migrate and to earn a living. The islanders used to hunt dolphins, whales, whale sharks and manta ray as their main source of livelihood years back. Aside from whale hunting, Pamilacan fishers are also into sustenance fishing using non-motorized boats for hook and line fishing. But this changed forever. Hunting of the marine mammals has been abruptly stopped by the national government and it has banned successfully the trade and commerce of the marine mammals. Today, anyone caught in the act and in possession of the prohibited species will be charge with a 20 year imprisonment and Php 120,000 as provided for under Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) administrative Order 208 Series of 2001, prescribing guidelines and rules on the Conservations of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Fishery Species.

A foreign tourist, who just disembarked with companions from a pump-boat in dolphin-watching venture, could not find a resort he intended to stay or have breakfast because there was none. In the same vein, government workers had to utilize and rent a make-shift cottage made of light materials erected on the white powdery sandy beach for their year-end assessment because there is no air-conditioned function room. But the wind blows gently and freshly, anyway, while doing their review of activities implemented. Municipal Councilor Eric Cañete, who is into a multi-million-peso dolphin-watching venture, said that before developing the island, much-needed water supply, particularly for drinking, must be given first priority. As to when and what are the plans of the barangay or town, no one yet could make a categorical answer. The plans apparently still remain on their minds. People here are hard pressed to secure water for drinking from mainland. That means effort and money because they have to procure fund for it, said another resident.

Boost

The Cable News Network (CNN) International Travel on-line recently has picked Dolphin Watching adventure on the seas surrounding the island as among the seven tourism wild adventure destinations in the country “Instead of earning a living as whale hunters, the community at Pamilacan Island has been offering whale- and dolphin-watching Tours for the last five years. The playful dolphins often engage tourists in a game of tag, riding alongside your boat, repeatedly leaping above the water then plunging down into the depths again,” Maida Pineda, writer for CNN travel, said. Jojo Baritua, who pioneered the dolphin watching as ecotourism enterprise said “this international recognition boosts the Province of Bohol marketing effort as well as make the people of the island proud of the new path that they are now undertaking as local natural guides and spotters in the eco-tourism program.” Baritua manages the Bohol’s Dolphin Watching Tour, a social enterprise program of the Pamilacan Island Boat Operators & Spotters Association (PIBOSA), said the island gains additional international exposure lately after it has been selected by the CNN International Travel as One of the 7 wild outdoor adventure destinations in the Philippines.

Potentials

The island boasts of its endless potentials or prospects, such as beach-scapes, seascapes and landscapes and underwater wonders in tourism that waited to be turned into a reliable and sustainable source of livelihood. The island is unique in a sense that this is probably the only one having grown centuries-old group of mangrove species, about eight big trunks grouped together by nature, literally separated by seawater even when it’s low tide, said a resident. It’s been there when he was not born yet. The mangroves are called as “dakit-dakit” that nobody can explain where the term comes from. “Dakit-dakit”is an ideal formation to grow a bonsai for a “mini-forest” arrangement. It is situated in a rock formation that emerged from the natural sea current-control coral formation in its front facing the Mindanao Sea. That’s why it endures because it is protected from the worst typhoon by the shallow coral formation few meters from the shoreline, the resident said. Above-water tourism is the dolphin or whale-watching activity in the surrounding seascapes especially during the onset of summer season wherein motor-banca-riding visitors from neighboring towns and other islands influx here to watch dolphins leaping and making splash. During summer months, about five or more whale sharks, the biggest fish, are foraging that at time they’re subject to cavorting by the watchers, said Neil Baugbog in an interview. It was said that more than 20 species of the marine mammals, including the rare Bryde’s whale, are spotted here because, not only this is their pathway, but because of their food source is abound in this part of the province.

Guests, whose interest are under-water thrill, may take a plunge or scuba dive or snorkel at the marine protected area where school of varied fish species, including the Nemo or damsel fishes may come across your way while swimming. This particular activity enables the boatmen, while they’re not fishing, to earn when they ferry their guests to the dive site for a minimal fee. The National Museum recently is eyeing to rehabilitate the centuries-old Spanish-era stone watch tower that is now under threat of dilapidation, said Charlie Tantingco, Bohol museum curator. A visit here last year by NM officials proved the agency’s intent to refurbish the watch tower that is now hosting a handful of poultry and game cocks inside it. Researchers in giant clams(Tridacna gigas), believed to be abound here in many, many years ago, may find this island an ideal archaeological site. Around some deformed but spiky and tricky rock formations are engraved the remains of these fossilized giant clams. Some of their gentle giant clams are now used as resort lavatory and some found their way for adornment of resorts in Panglao, said a boat operator. Another come-on is the kilometers long stretch of white powdery sand beaches fronting the “Dakit-dakit.” Most of the beach stretch is still sparsely inhabited, except those areas where the households are concentrated. Walking on the beach barefoot that when one can step on a loose sand deposits or find other compact portions is good for your health under the morning sun. Most of all, the hospitality of the islanders is just right. Baugbog said that they see to it that their guests visiting here have a lot of fun and enjoyed their short stay. There may be lack of words to explain about this island but certainly it is there to be experienced. (RVO)