Pagbilao Mangrove Experimental Forest
N13°58.5250' E121°43.5230'
N13°58.5250' E121°43.5230'
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This mangrove forest is a living proof of a successful rehabilitation effort. Even before World War II, the area was a favorite to poachers who gather the "bakawan" which is a very good material for charcoal. In 1975, the 145 hectare area was declared as Pagbilao Mangrove Experimental Forest by virtue of Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) Administrative Order No. 7 (s. 1975). This declaration provided the necessary protection (and funding) and further poaching was prevented. Now, the diverse ecosystem makes the area a favorite field trip destination mostly of botany and zoology students from prestigious universities. But since government funding is not enough to sustain this treasure, the private sector like Mirant Philippines came in and joined in the effort. They dubbed this project "Carbon Sink Initiative". They are helping rehabilitate forest zones to help absorb pollutants in the air like carbon. And this mangrove forest is one of them. Its proximity to the Coal-Fired Plant will help absorb the emitted carbons and convert them back to oxygen. | ||||
 The Entrance Marker to Mangrove Forest as seen along the Highway |
How to get there?
Access to Mangrove Forest is, interestingly, just across (right side of the Highway) from the access point to other featured destinations: Palsabangon Dam , Kagbuho Falls and Kamaluya Falls:
After about 4 km eastbound from Pagbilao town proper, look out for the high voltage transmission lines of the National Power Corp crossing the highway about a hundred meters after KM142. While you could already see gigantic towers even before reaching the area, don't be confused as the wires cross the highway only in that vicinity where you will find a sign on the right side of the Highway as shown in the above photo.
The 1.7km access road branching out from the highway will cross the railroad after about a hundred meters. From thereon, it turns left and runs parallel to the railroad for a few hundred meters. Then, the road turns to the right and winds between rice fields until it reaches the destination. At this point, the road will then have a branch where the left branch leads to the Mangrove Forest via a foot bridge across the river. While the right branch leads to the Nursery.
The Big Change
When we visited the site in February 2003, it was disappointing to see the facilities in disrepair. I got surprised when, coming back after only three months, I saw new facilities and some of the existing ones repaired. Here, I present "before and after" photos:
The access bridge used to be made of bamboo and one needs a little courage to cross
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The bridge has since been replaced with a wider wooden one where you can even ride your bike on
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The wooden boardwalk used be here. Only scattered wooden remnants were seen when we toured the area in February
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The reconstructed (permanently concreted) boardwalk provides the
visitors with a liesurely 770meter walk in the forest. The farther end
of this boardwalk (near the viewdeck) obviously shows that further
lengthening is proposed
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Placing all pictures in this webpage would not be possible. So here
is the info board to let you know what are in store. The Exhibit Hall
features specimens of various Mangrove varieties, including the "Nilad"
which gave the City of Manila its name "Maynilad".
You have to go there to see for yourself. That is the purpose of this website anyway |
Photos and Narratives by
Engr. Gerry B. Lontok ©2003
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