A team of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) technical staff excitedly peered through a bird-watching telescope.
Their subject: A tiny, brown-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon gularis) perched on a tree branch in a swamp. The bird had a red beak, chocolate brown feathers and bright blue wings. After a few minutes, it flew away.
Bird watching is part of the DENR’s monitoring activity at Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes Natural Park.
DENR technical staff member Sargie Dura said the activity brings joy when rarely seen birds are sighted. His team also saw a magnificent sunbird (Aethopya magnifica) perched atop a tree.
Located 13.5 kilometers from Dumaguete City, the park offers visitors a chance to connect with nature. The cool mountain breeze, serene green lakes and verdant forests make the 40-minute trip worthwhile.
Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada designated the park as a protected area on November 21, 2000, through Proclamation No. 414.
A Protected Area Management Board was created to govern the park under the National Integrated Protected Areas System law.
The park, known as “Twin Lakes,” features Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao, separated by a narrow mountain ridge.
The park covers about 8,016 hectares of forest land in Sibulan, Valencia and San Jose towns.
Its forests and waters are home to more than 427 species of flora and fauna endemic to Negros Island, including the Negros bleeding-heart pigeon (Gallicolumba keayi) and the red lauan tree (Shorea negrosensis).
The Asean Centre for Biodiversity lists 237 tree species, 27 mammals and 209 resident and migrant birds, including 14 globally threatened species.
The center is an intergovernmental organization that facilitates cooperation among the 10 Asean member states on biodiversity conservation.
On November 29, 2024, the park was listed as an Asean Heritage Park.
DENR Assistant Protected Area Superintendent Judith Magbanua said the declaration is a milestone for Negros Oriental.
“The park has become the pride of Negros Oriental,” Magbanua said. “This is the first in the Visayas and the 13th in the Philippines. This has a huge impact on DENR’s efforts to strengthen protection and conservation.”
Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes Farmers Association officer Haide Zerna said the recognition will benefit local farmers.
“We are grateful after we learned that Balinsasayao made it to the list,” Zerna said. “This will be an advantage for us who were permitted to do activities here.”
The association is the park’s accredited people’s organization for economic activities.
The Asean Heritage Park is a network of protected areas that represent the region’s natural heritage.
The park sustains biodiversity, human life and helps mitigate climate change.
Magbanua said the park, a watershed area, is a source of potable water for nearly half a million residents.
“As we say, ‘water is life,’ so Balinsasayao provides life to people,” Magbanua said.
The park’s vegetation sequesters carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It also provides income for local people through eco-tourism activities such as boating, tour guiding, bird watching and restaurant services.
“We need to protect our environment because many people depend on its waters,” Zerna said. “It’s also important for us because our livelihood depends on it.”
Call for preservation
Zerna said the organization helps monitor wildlife and educate the public on the importance of the lakes.
Magbanua said the DENR trained the association members on eco-tourism to prevent them from turning to destructive livelihoods.
“We have high endemism here,” Magbanua said. “Saving the environment can save millions of lives.”
The DENR conducts joint monitoring on illegal activities with barangay officials and biodiversity monitoring for endangered species, including the Visayan tarictic hornbill (Penolopides panini), Visayan spotted deer (Russa alfredi), Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons) and the red lauan.
The DENR will install a marker at the park’s entrance to commemorate the achievement.
The park’s inclusion in the Asean Heritage Park will foster collaboration among stakeholders and encourage research. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)