BURAUEN, Leyte- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with the local government unit of Burauen conducted the second Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park Outdoor Festival in Mahagnao Natural Park.
Among the activities held during the February 3 festival included fun run, kayak racing, photo contest, and booth making contest to commemorate the declaration of Mahagnao as a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Area System through Proclamation Number 117 in 1998.
This year’s Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park Outdoor Festival also recognized the members of the Mamanwa tribe from Mindanao who have been living in Barangay Kagbana for more than 50 years now.
During the festival, the Mamanwas showcased their traditional dance to the visitors. Meantime, soldiers belonging to the 78th Infantry Battalion, whose headquarter is based in this town, also performed a Tausug dance.
Leyte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ranulfo Abriol said that the activity is meant to dramatize their call for the protection and preservation of Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park.
Abriol called on the residents and tourists of the natural park not to do any act that would result to its destruction.
The vast park is also now considered to be one of the fast emerging tourist attractions of the town.
Mahagnao Volcano is a dormant volcano located in Barangay Mahagnao, more than 30 kms away from the town proper.
The area is composed of wetland forest and abundant with hot springs, awe-inspiring craters, hot springs, multi-colored muds and rocks, lakes, virgin forests with giant ferns and orchids, lagoon, and temperature climate
Part of Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park located in the southern part is Lake Malagsom, a crater lake with green acidic water that serves as nesting and breeding grounds of thousands of Philippine wild ducks. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
