BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) — All roads lead to Bangan Hill National Park (BHNP) in Bayombong for the upcoming observance of the Holy Week.
This 13.90-hectare park, one of the country’s protected areas, was declared a national park in 1995 through Republic Act 7954.
Apart from being an ecotourism site, BHNP has long been a destination for religious devotees during Lent. Pilgrims visit the park to renew and strengthen their faith, especially during the Holy Week.
Statues of the Cross built along the road to the hilltop guide hundreds of devotees as they make their way to witness the reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
“I come and visit BHNP yearly to pray and renew my faith along with my family,” said Joewenie Subayno of Barangay La Torre in Bayombong.
Noel Gauuan, a retired employee of the provincial government, said the park has gained popularity among local and foreign tourists, especially since its gradual development during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the easing of pandemic restrictions, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Protected Area Management Board, and the Bayombong municipal government reopened the site as an ecotourism destination.
Improvements included the enhancement of its access road to the summit, funded at under P1 million. This was followed by the construction of a P500,000 coffee shop and a P1.5 million three-bedroom hostel with a pantry to accommodate visitors.
The park’s towering view deck offers sweeping views of Bayombong, Solano, and even Bambang.
BHNP has also become a go-to destination for cyclists and health enthusiasts who enjoy walking and biking along its uphill and downhill paths.
Aside from its natural beauty, the park holds historical and cultural significance as the site of the first Catholic Mass in Nueva Vizcaya, celebrated in 1739.
“We invite everyone to visit BHNP, especially this coming Lenten season when residents and visitors reenact the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Mt. Calvary,” said Ely Cadang, DENR’s protected area supervising officer.
Cadang also urged tourists and pilgrims to follow park regulations to help maintain the habitat for protected wildlife species.
The area is rich in natural resources and serves as a regular route for migratory birds, including the buzzard — a large, hawk-like bird known for its broad wings and soaring flight.
Bayombong town officials have committed to further developing and protecting BHNP, recognizing its historical and ecotourism value.
They noted that the park plays a vital role in environmental education, especially for the youth, by instilling a sense of stewardship for the environment and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
Officials also pointed to BHNP’s potential as a paragliding destination, similar to Ambaguio’s paragliding site, which is increasingly popular among local and international tourists. They said that wind conditions in BHNP are favorable for the sport at certain times of the year. (ALM/BME/PIA Nueva Vizcaya)
