History of Culajao Mangrove EcoPark
It was yet in 1994 when a fisheries technician of the
City Agricultural
Service office of Roxas City LGU visited Brgy. Culajao to include is
coastal resources in the preparation of the City's Fishery Profile as
Seafood Capital of the country. It was then that she met former brgy.
Captain Villagracia who accompanied her take the boat the Culajao river
to the mangrove area and told her stories of how they defended it from
adjacent fishpond owners who wanted to extended their dikes to include
the area. She took note of it until 2001 when when as CRM Coordinator
she spearheaded the formulation of the city's coastal zoning plan and
the New Fishery and CRM Ordinance. It look persistence until the LGU
was finally convinced of hiring community organizers to do ground work
in target areas to ensure sustainability of CRM projects. A community
organizer was finally deployed in Culajao starting January 2007 with
the aim of organizing and empowering fisherfolks as partners and
project beneficiaries of the City government.
Katunggan sa Culajao Salbon Associantion, Inc. (KACUSA) was organized with 19 fisherfolk members in January 27, 2007 and register with Sec on September 19, 2007.KACUSA, Inc. was organize primarily to protect the mangrove reservation zone in Brgy. Culajao. The CRM coordinator organize mangrove seminar and exposure trips to mangrove projects where they saw the potential of an Eco-park. She conducted strategic planning workshop with the group that they were led to craft their vision for the project to become a mangrove laboratory and an Eco-tourism destination that would spur economic activities in the area and provide alternative livehood to members and other brgy residents.
When the new Local Chief Executive assumed office, they invited him to see the mangrove trees they planted beginning April 20, 2001 and they were ready to present their plan for a mangrove Eco Park. The Mayor then offered to appreciate an initial amount of P100.00 for construction of Eco Park facilities. The CRM Coordinator provides the directions in the EcoPark operations requesting technical assistance and provisions in kind from related agencies/ institutions as needed.
Culajao Mangrove Eco-Park in Roxas City, Capiz has the distinction of being a community protected mangrove reserve and the only one within the city. It stretches within 4.69 hectares and home to diverse marine and mangrove species. From the road take a short walk under the shed of mangroves along the way to get to the reception area. Mingle with nature and get a flight out in this world relaxing in nipa huts interconnected with at least 100 meters of thrilling pedestrian suspension bridges. Nipa huts are in different sizes and can host at most 20 persons.
They have several packages for tours that include a bamboo raft (banca) ride along the river to get a closer look of the 19 species of mangroves that serve as habitat for a vast variety of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and shells. Listen to a live compose about mangroves and Culajao. Watch the herons and other exotic bird species flying around catching fish. A fish cage is also available for hook and line fishing. However they do not permit visitors to stay overnight or just stay late at night in their cottages/ nipa huts. I think nobody could relax with the deafening noises created by the denizen of different creatures around. Culajao Mangrove Eco-Park is a 10-15 minute ride away from Roxas City plaza via the new road traversing Brgy. Mongpong and Banica. There is an entrance fee of P20 for adults, P15 for students and P10 for children. It is a project of the city government of Roxas in partnership with the Katunggan sa Culajao Salbaron Association (KACUSA), Inc. And PEW Fellows Program in Marine Conservation.
Katunggan sa Culajao Salbon Associantion, Inc. (KACUSA) was organized with 19 fisherfolk members in January 27, 2007 and register with Sec on September 19, 2007.KACUSA, Inc. was organize primarily to protect the mangrove reservation zone in Brgy. Culajao. The CRM coordinator organize mangrove seminar and exposure trips to mangrove projects where they saw the potential of an Eco-park. She conducted strategic planning workshop with the group that they were led to craft their vision for the project to become a mangrove laboratory and an Eco-tourism destination that would spur economic activities in the area and provide alternative livehood to members and other brgy residents.
When the new Local Chief Executive assumed office, they invited him to see the mangrove trees they planted beginning April 20, 2001 and they were ready to present their plan for a mangrove Eco Park. The Mayor then offered to appreciate an initial amount of P100.00 for construction of Eco Park facilities. The CRM Coordinator provides the directions in the EcoPark operations requesting technical assistance and provisions in kind from related agencies/ institutions as needed.
Culajao Mangrove Eco-Park in Roxas City, Capiz has the distinction of being a community protected mangrove reserve and the only one within the city. It stretches within 4.69 hectares and home to diverse marine and mangrove species. From the road take a short walk under the shed of mangroves along the way to get to the reception area. Mingle with nature and get a flight out in this world relaxing in nipa huts interconnected with at least 100 meters of thrilling pedestrian suspension bridges. Nipa huts are in different sizes and can host at most 20 persons.
They have several packages for tours that include a bamboo raft (banca) ride along the river to get a closer look of the 19 species of mangroves that serve as habitat for a vast variety of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and shells. Listen to a live compose about mangroves and Culajao. Watch the herons and other exotic bird species flying around catching fish. A fish cage is also available for hook and line fishing. However they do not permit visitors to stay overnight or just stay late at night in their cottages/ nipa huts. I think nobody could relax with the deafening noises created by the denizen of different creatures around. Culajao Mangrove Eco-Park is a 10-15 minute ride away from Roxas City plaza via the new road traversing Brgy. Mongpong and Banica. There is an entrance fee of P20 for adults, P15 for students and P10 for children. It is a project of the city government of Roxas in partnership with the Katunggan sa Culajao Salbaron Association (KACUSA), Inc. And PEW Fellows Program in Marine Conservation.
