It also boasts of tourism facilities that attract visitors. It has the BNP-Marine and Terrestrial Training Center in Sitio Looc, Barangay Banawang in the Bagac side of the park, and a picnic shed in the same area.Ī similar facility is also available for tourists in Sitio Binutas in Barnagay Tala, in the Orani side of the park, together with railings and path walk. The BNP has a vast tourism potential because of the many recreational activities and ecotourism products and services it offers, including trekking and hiking, nature photography and viewing, camping, bird watching, picnic and swimming. One unique find in the BNP is the rafflesia (Rafflesia manilllania), a unique plant with large, pungent-smelling flower that blooms only every 10 years. The BNP also hosts a still undetermined population of palm civet cats and cloud rats, and was found to be home to a still unknown population of large flying fox, the largest fruit bat in the world. Rich biodiversityīirds of prey are often spotted in the BNP, a proof that the area has plenty of prey to choose from for these high-flying feathered hunters. These are the Morong River, Almacen, Talisay, Bagac, Kabayo, Sutuin and Bayandati watersheds. Combined, they cover a total of 22,976.58 hectares of the all-important watershed area. Likewise, a total of seven watersheds are found within the area. It is a major source of fresh water that supplies farms and provides a life support system for the diverse wildlife that thrive in the park.įreshwater shrimps and native snails and different species of frogs are commonly found within the park. In Bataan, protecting and conserving the BNP cannot be overemphasized. “ notable flora and fauna found in BNP, such as dipterocarp species, endemic and threatened species green-faced parrot, Philippines warty pig, Philippines brown deer, mountain rose and fire orchids,” states a profile of the BNP obtained by the BusinessMirror from the DENR Central Luzon.
The reason is that in the BNP is the remaining residual old-growth forest in the Zambales Biogeographical Zone. Key biodiversity area, old growth forestĪlong with the Subic Bay Forest Reserve, the BNP was declared a key biodiversity area (KBA), as well.Ī site overview of the two areas stated that the Subic Bay Forest Reserve and the Bataan National Park are “KBA’s of international significance.” He explained that with its around 20,000 hectares qualifies BNP under the natural park category. Not to be confused, the Bataan National Park, is a natural park because of its vast expanse, said Don Guevarra, the chief information officer for Central Luzon of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The park is shared by a total of 19 barangays from the six municipalities of Bagac, Morong, Abucay, Samal, Orani and Hermosa in Bataan. The protectors of BNP expect regular funding to boost the number of Bantay Gubat from 15 to 30, and a workforce that is specially dedicated to running and managing the park. Its status as a protected area was reaffirmed by President Duterte when he signed Republic Act 11038, also known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (Enipas) on June 22, 2018, being one of the 97 legislated protected areas listed under the law. Bataan’s oldestįirst proclaimed as a national park in 1945 through Proclamation 24, BNP is one of the oldest protected areas in the Philippines.
The endemic Rafflesia manillania, a unique large and pungent flower thatīlooms once in 10 years can be found in BNP. The more than 20,000 hectares park is covered with tropical jungle and mountain terrains with unique geological features like rivers, springs and waterfalls. It serves as home to a variety of unique and endangered plant and animal wildlife and boasts of tourism facilities developed over the years, which make it stand out as a natural park. About 130 km and some two-and-half hours drive from the country’s most famous landmark, the Luneta Park in Manila, the Bataan National Park (BNP) in Bataan province is considered as one of Luzon’s popular tourist destinations.
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