MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) — The National Power Corporation (Napocor), the government agency tasked to manage 11 watershed systems in the country including Angat Watershed inaugurated on Wednesday the Angat Rainforest and Ecological Park (AREP) in Bulacan.
The park will showcase the dipterocarp forest that dominates the watershed, the variety of wildlife that resides in it and the reservoir that is famous for its huge tilapia and eel. These will be introduced through the park’s major attractions like the AREP’s View Deck, Ecological Center and Tarictic Fun Trail.
“Angat is considered a biodiversity hotspot and so the Angat Rainforest and Ecological Park will be a perfect learning avenue for environmental education and awareness,” said Napocor president Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita.
Angat Watershed is home to 290 endemic species of known non-woody and woody plants like bagtikan, tanguile and yakal that have already disappeared in other forests in the country. There are also 66 species of vertebrates in the watershed and 43 species of birds that makes it a favorite destination of bird watchers. In fact, two of the most visible birds here are the Tarictic Hornbill or Kalao (Penolopides panini manillae) and the Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocopax).
Likewise, Sta. Rita said that the park will also help the corporation raise awareness among tourists on the importance of preserving and protecting the watershed that is playing an essential role in the lives of millions of people residing in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
“Aside from the rich flora and fauna in Angat, we know that it is also a multi-purpose facility that serves as flood control, a natural buffer zone against calamity, and source of water for irrigation of the agricultural land in Bulacan and Pampanga, for domestic water supply of Metro Manila and for power generation,” she added.
The Angat Rainforest and Ecological Park will likewise help the native dwellers in Angat, the Dumagat Tribe to have an alternative livelihood.
“Dumagats can be the park’s tour guides; they can demonstrate their skills in basket weaving using raw materials like Buho and Rattan or they can teach visitors their traditional methods in catching fish,” said Napocor’s Watershed Management Chief, Emmanuel Umali.
Umali added that after the launching, more attractions will be added to the park like the Angat Museum of Natural History, Dumagat Cultural Heritage Site, Seedling Propagation, Rattan Gene Bank and Bambusetum, and Trading Post/Souvenir shop.
Moreover, Umali assured that the AREP management will practice and promote among its visitors an environmentally responsible trek within the park. (PNA)