The bats of Tubigon

CEBU, Philippines - Tubigon is the northern gateway to Bohol. The place is the usual stop for refueling among inland travelers, for visitors to get directions before going further on their Bohol trip, as well as for out-of-towners to shop for locally produced products to bring home as “pasalubong” on their way out via the Tubigon port.

For a long time, however, Tubigon failed to lure a good volume of tourists or to make the few that came every now and then stay longer in the area. Until the local government realized that it was the lack of attractive tourism brands and packages that was keeping tourists away. Ecotourism came to mind.

“Our flagship [tourism] product is the Bat Tour... [We] hope this makes Tubigon really interesting to visitors,” says Tubigon Mayor Marlon Rojas Amila at the recent launch of the Cabgan Island Community-Based Ecotourism Project. The endeavor is managed by the members of the MaTuMaTu (Malambuong Turismo sa Maca-as, Tubigon), led by Mr. Jonathan Zabate. Maca-as is the barangay in the Bohol mainland right across it is Cabgan Island.

The “Bat Tour” project was conceived to generate direct and indirect incomes for local communities as incentive for conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, and, at the same time, reducing the common threats to biodiversity. Local residents have been tapped as stewards to ensure that the natural environment is not disturbed for the bats to remain in their area. Everyone is made aware that the “Bat Tour” is a flagship ecotourism product of Cabgan Island.

It was emphasized during the launch that minimizing the impact of tourists is important, as is commonly the case in ecotourism projects. Since the “Bat Tour” was meant to capitalize on the natural and the cultural environments, these local features were to be protected and preserved. And local architecture were to be considered in the tourism facilities to be put up, local people to be employed, local cuisine to be served, and the significance of the elements of a local environment to be highlighted.     

Indeed, the “Bat tour” as an ecotourism product entails a lot more than just the tourists and the bats. First, the local people have to understand about biodiversity, about bat and mangrove ecologies and the distinct function of each, and the ecological and economic benefits for the communities that care. Second, the local people have to serve initially as volunteers. Even before volunteering, they have to train thoroughly about the project. Being a volunteer is not for the half-hearted; in fact many who earlier trained in the program had left because of “too much information to learn by heart, they are to render their time for free.”

The 85-hectare Cabgan Island got its name from the word “kabug,” which refers to the particular species of large bats that make the island its home. Hence, “Kabugan” or “Cabgan,” meaning the home of the “kabug.” Two species of bats were reported at Cabgan island – the “kabug,” the Large Flying Fox with fox-like faces and large eyes, and the “kwaknit,” smaller than the “kabug.” Unlike the “kwaknit,” the “kabug” does not echolocate, or find their way around using their sense of hearing. Instead, they rely on smell and vision, and are, therefore, not blind as many think! And they are “hand-winged” which means that their wings are actually extended hands, feeding on fruits, nectar, pollen and leaves and can grow up to one kilogram.

The Philippines has 80 species of bats. Four species of these creatures considered as the only flying mammals are said to be in the whole of Bohol. The “kabug” of Cabgan Island is fond of roosting on mangroves. Sadly, the mangroves of Tubigon, as a whole, are prone to destruction because of the construction of fishponds; being cut for firewood and for construction and furniture needs; or being used as fodder for animals. Also, mangrove areas are being lost to reclamation and land conversion.

The situation is likely to change, though – with the present interest in local ecotourism. The Tubigon Tourism Office facilitates the “Bat Tours” to Cabgan Island. The phone numbers are: (038) 508-8496 and (038) 508-8222; email address: ttcadoffice@yahoo.com.