Candaba, Pampanga, 31 August 2024 – The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) successfully conducted a learning event titled “Introduction to Sustainable Farm Tourism” at the Candaba Trade Center. This event is part of the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project (LLBCP), a global initiative supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection – International Climate Initiative (IKI). Under the LLBCP – Philippine component is Frontrunner Initiative 1, which focuses on establishing sustainable farm tourism in the Paligui Wetlands, Candaba, Pampanga.
The main objective of the learning event was to introduce the concepts of sustainable farm tourism to local stakeholders in Candaba, Pampanga. Specifically, the event aimed to discuss the concepts and processes involved in sustainable farm tourism, identify activities, including training, needed to equip and capacitate local stakeholders for sustainable farm tourism, and form a pool of interested stakeholders that will initiate and lead the efforts for a sustainable farm tourism enterprise in Candaba. The event targeted a total of 50 local stakeholders, including women’s organizations, farmers, local government representatives, and other community members.
During the opening ceremony, Barangay Councilor and Committee Chair of Environment Hon. Allan Sta. Rita welcomed the participants on behalf of the Punong Barangay of Paligui, Hon. Randy A. Manio. Representatives from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Office and the Municipal Agricultural Office delivered messages on behalf of Municipal Mayor, Hon. Rene Maglanque. Mr. Jimmy Rivera, Vice-President of the Macagatal Irrigators Association, expressed gratitude to the project on behalf of the farmers and their President, Mr. Raul Cacho. Forester Kristine Jane Galang represented both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Region 3 and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) – Pampanga, expressing their support for the project. Moreover, Ms. Amy Lecciones, Executive Director of SCPW, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the event’s objectives and the ongoing partnership between SCPW and the stakeholders of Paligui, Candaba.
Key presentations included “Wetlands 101” by Mr. Jose Carlo Quintos from SCPW, an overview of the LLBC Project by Ms. Amy Lecciones from SCPW, a pre-recorded video presentation on biodiversity-friendly enterprises by Ms. Joy Alvarez from the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR, and an introduction to sustainable farm tourism by Ms. Heide Sulangi from the Department of Tourism, Region 3. In the afternoon session, Ms. Darry Shel Estorba from SCPW discussed the ecological profile of the Paligui Wetlands and facilitated a plenary discussion and workshop on the initial plans for establishing a sustainable farm tourism enterprise in the area. Proposed tourism activities identified included bird watching, eco-trekking, hook-and-line fishing, carabao cart rides, boodle fight meals, homestay programs, and local food fare (pasalubong).
The event also outlined the necessary training sessions to achieve sustainable farm tourism, including operationalizing farm tourism in rice-production landscapes, bird-watching guide training (scheduled for October 2024), nature trek guiding, local food preparation training, agroforestry in rice-production landscapes, and sustainable agricultural practices, among others.
The event concluded with a commitment to further collaboration among the government agencies present as well as the local stakeholders and SCPW in developing sustainable farm tourism in Candaba, Pampanga.
