SIBULAN, Negros Oriental (PIA) – The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Negros Oriental emphasized the importance of conserving and protecting the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park (BTLNP) following its inclusion in the list of ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP).
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) announced the five new AHPs in Southeast Asia including the BTLNP on Nov. 29, 2024.
The list featured three sites in the Philippines and two in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR).
The BTLNP was the declared as the 59th AHP in the region.
The other sites in Philippines include the Apo Reef Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro and The Turtle Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Sulu province.
The AHP Programme is a showcase of “cooperation and commitment of the ASEAN Member States to preserve and restore its immense natural wealth.”
Commonly known as the “Twin Lakes,” the two adjacent lakes, namely Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao, are separated by a narrow mountain range.
This site was declared as a protected area on Nov. 21, 2000 by virtue of Proc. No. 414 by former Pres. Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
DENR’s BTLNP assistant protected area supervisor Judith Magbanua said the inclusion of the “Twin Lakes” in the list of AHPs in Southeast Asia is an important milestone for the province.
“This is our greatest achievement in the year 2024. This is the first in the Visayan region and the 13th AHP in the whole Philippines,” she said.
Magbanua added that the twin lakes’ lush forests and pristine waters are home to more than 427 species of flora and fauna, which are endemic in Negros Island.
The ACB’s records also listed a higher figure of wildlife in the area with “a total of 325 fern species, 237 tree species, 27 mammalian fauna, and 209 resident and migrant birds, of which 14 species are globally threatened.”
Some of the animal and plant species found in the Twin Lakes include the Visayan Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini), Negros bleeding heart pigeon (Gallicolumba keayi), Visayan spotted dear (Russa alfredi, Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifons), and the red lauan tree (Shorea negrosensis).
Major water source
Beyond maintaining the bio-diversity in the province, Magbanua said th lakes also serve a greater purpose as it is a major water source for more than 500,000 residents of the surrounding municipalities of San Jose, Valencia, and Sibulan.
It also plays critical role in mitigating climate change as it has been classified as an inland wetland by DENR.
“Dako ni siya og contribution sa (pagpugong) climate change (It has a big contribution in mitigating climate change). The forest vegetation can sequester carbon dioxide or other gases or pollutants in the environment,” Magbanua said.
The Twin Lakes also provide livelihood to the members of the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Farmers Association, the only accredited Peoples’ Organization (PO) by the twin lakes’ Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to conduct livelihood activities in the natural park.
Some of them, like its officer Haide Zerna, used to live inside the premises of the protected area.
But after attending a series of orientations and briefings conducted by DENR, Zerna understood the importance of preserving nature and chose to relocate outside the perimeters of the natural park.
“Importante na namo kaayo kay naa mi dire nanginabuhi ug kinahanglan maprotektahan namo ang kalikupan kay daghan pod ang gagamit sa mao nga tubig,” Zerna said.
(This place is important to us because it is our source of livelihood. And not only that, we need to protect our natural park because of lot of people depend on it as a water source).
Located 13.5 kilometers away north of Dumaguete City, the twin lakes is also an eco-tourism site in the province.
Magbanua said they engaged members of the people’s organization in eco-tourism and sustainable farming practices so they would stop destructive agricultural practices such as kaingin farming.
“We involve them in eco-tourism activities like boating, kayaking, trekking, and restaurant operations. They offer food to the guests and visitors. They also serve as tour guides for the guests. They earn an income. They are also the one who collect boating fees. It will go directly to the PO and the communities,” she said.
Things to do
Although DENR conducts wildlife status monitoring regularly in partnership with the people’s organization, Magbanua stressed there is still much to be done to reinforce the measures of the department.
“We should collaborate, promote and foster collaboration among stakeholders, the local communities, the private sector, the academe, and also encourage more research activities to be conducted here in Balinsasayao Twin Lakes,” she said. (RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
