Agricultural Wetlands as a Showcase for Wetlands Conservation
This project is an attempt to conserve a portion in the Candaba Wetlands, particularly to develop a 132-hectare farmland owned and managed by farmer’s organization called Macagatal Irrigators Association (MIA) in Paligui, Candaba, Pampanga. The project will characterize and assess a 132 -hectare wetland in Barangay Paligui for the purpose of coming up with science-based information to support the designation of the area as a natural heritage or a showcase of traditional farming practices and offer sanctuary for birds as a strategy for its conservation.
Birdwatching Guides Training for Candaba Wetlands
The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations and DOT – Region III conducted a Birdwatching Guides Training on 20-26 February 2018 in Candaba, Pampanga.
This 7-day course for birdwatching guides comprising learning sessions and practical exercises aimed at giving the trainees skills and knowledge to become well-honed tour guides. Various topics were tackled in the training including discussions and activities about wetlands conservation, birds spotting, identification, and ethics, as well as topics on Philippine tourism industry, customer service, tour guiding, first aid and basic life support, tent pitching, indigenious food preparation, map reading & land navigation, wilderness emergencies and survival, and height safety and ropemanship. DOT will be issuing accreditation to the birdwatching guides training graduates who met the standards set by the agency measured through written, oral, and practical evaluations during the conduct of the training. Results will be announced after consolidation of reports and final assessment of DOT.
As the next step, it was agreed that the graduates will form and establish an organization which will be called the “Candaba Tour Guides Association.” This is to sustain and practice the skills learned during the training, revive and boost ecotourism in their municipality and its benefits to the communities, and also promote the conservation of Candaba wetlands, including farmlands and birds in the area.
– Darry Shel M. Estorba
Implementors and Partners
Local Government of Barangay Paligui (Candaba, Pampanga)
Macagatal Irrigators Association