TACLOBAN CITY — The sighting of two Philippine Megapode, commonly known as Philippine scrubfowl, has underscored the ecological resilience of Homonhon Island even as authorities assess damage from recent grassfires.

The discovery was made on April 19 during a rapid environmental assessment conducted by a composite team from the local government of Guiuan.

The team was led by Officer-in-Charge Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Tycho Mabansag, with members that included a forester and personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’s Specialized Unit for Rescue, First Aid, and Emergency Response (SURFER).

The deployment aimed to evaluate the extent and pattern of grassfires that have affected upland grassland areas across several barangays on the island. Investigators documented multiple ignition sites and assessed potential threats to vegetation, water sources, and adjacent coastal ecosystems.

Although the burned areas are classified as timberlands, environmental officials stressed their critical ecological role in maintaining soil stability, supporting freshwater systems, and sustaining marine habitats downstream.

Amid the assessment, the team recorded two Philippine megapodes, a ground-dwelling bird species typically found in beach forests and small islands. Authorities described the sighting as a positive sign that wildlife continues to persist despite recent environmental disturbances.

The assessment mission was carried out upon the directive of Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan as part of the local government’s response to the grassfires, which occurred around the observance of Earth Day on April 22.

The MENRO said further evaluations are ongoing to determine the full environmental impact of the fires, with recommendations for rehabilitation and mitigation measures expected to follow. Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and refrain from activities that could trigger additional fires.

Officials reiterated the need for sustained and collective action to protect ecologically sensitive areas such as Homonhon Island.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The regional office of the Department of Tourism(DOT) showcased Eastern Visayas as an emerging cruise destination during the Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, held from April 14 to 16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in the United States.

The participation formed part of the region’s strategy to attract more international cruise operators and strengthen its position in the global cruise tourism market, which continues to recover and expand following recent disruptions in global travel.

Seatrade Cruise Global, recognized as one of the world’s leading cruise industry events, gathered more than 12,500 participants and 650 exhibitors from over 125 countries, including cruise executives, port authorities, shipbuilders, and tourism stakeholders.

A key highlight of DOT-8’s participation was a high-level luncheon with cruise line executives from major Asian destinations, including Hong Kong, South Korea, China’s Xiamen and Shanghai, and the Philippines, where discussions focused on the region’s post-pandemic recovery and growing cruise demand.

For Eastern Visayas, the delegation held strategic meetings with international partners to explore future cruise opportunities, including potential cruise excursions by 2029 that could include ports of call in the region.

DOT-8 said the engagements opened doors for possible inclusion of Eastern Visayas in future cruise itineraries, while also strengthening its network within the global cruise industry and gaining insights for tourism development planning.

The Philippines is increasingly gaining attention from cruise operators as interest in Asian destinations rebounds.

In Eastern Visayas, existing and emerging cruise stops include Biri, Capul, Lavezares, Maripipi, Higatangan Island, Kalanggaman Island, Cuatro Islas, and Limasawa, with Paranas recently added to the list.

Tourism officials said continued participation in international events like Seatrade is crucial in positioning the region as a competitive and sustainable cruise destination in the coming years.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)