Cabadbaran City cultivates ‘ridge-to-reef’ ecosystem
The city of Cabadbaran, the provincial capital of Agusan Del Norte, is taking the lead in protecting its ridge to reef ecosystem.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, the mountain has seven major waterfalls, scores of minor cascades, an ancient rock art dating to be thousands of years old, a carpet of giant white anthurium, and a number of unexplored caves.
The mountain is also the nesting site of the endangered Philippine eagle, habitat of the Philippine wildcat, flying squirrel, tarsier, and microscopic flower not found anywhere in country. It is also home to an estimated 120 different species of birds, 59 of these can only be found in the archipelago.
Aside from being a significant territory for endemic bird species, Hilong-Hilong is also a sanctuary of indigenous frogs, reptiles, mammals, and ecologically threatened flora.
The 2,012-meter Mt. Hilong-Hilong, Caraga Region’s tallest peak, is said to be among the most technically difficult mountains to climb and is suitable only for those with intermediate and expert skills. A recent expedition took climbers three full days to conquer the mountain’s summit.
Because of its rich biodiversity, Sen. Pia Cayetano filed a Senate Bill proposing that the mountain be declared a national park.
Another important peak is the 1,680-meter high Mt. Mas-ai which has the mountain-top Lake Balwang, surrounded with virgin forests. Its flora covers wild orchids, resinous trees like almaciga, mountain pines, and five varieties of pitcher plants, while its fauna includes the Philippine mocaca, kalaw bird, woodpecker, flying lizard, hawks, and rare species of small frogs.
An amazing geological formation in another part of the city’s hinterlands is the Higanteng Bato, arguably the biggest boulder in northern Mindanao. Measuring 54.13 meters tall, 124 meters in circumference, and 31 meters wide, it has a cool stream at its foot.
Intertwined with the upland is the coastal ecosystem, which is connected by the verdant rivers emanating from the bosom of the mountains, whose splendid forest cover has helped maintain the delicate ecological balance.
Cabadbaran River, the city’s main waterway, is emerging as a tubing site with its rushing voluminous whitewater whose entire stretch spans an adventure-packed course of more than an hour of fun-filled adrenalinepumping ride.
This coastal ecosystem is home to Calibunan Marine Protected Area, the country’s most successful artificial fish sanctuary which restored 76 species of aquatic life, according to the Mindanao State University which helped bring it back to life.
A pagang coral reef, which was just about the size of the human hand when it was transplanted in 2006, has grown into more than three square meters in area. With a depth of 16 meters, the fish sanctuary is ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving and free diving.
Cabadbaran Mayor Dale Corvera said the city government is taking stock of its ecotourism potentials and drafted the city tourism master plan embodying the tools, plans and strategies to boost its emerging eco-tourism industry.
With a total land area of 32,518 hectares, Cabadbaran accounts for 12.55 percent of Agusan del Norte’s land resources, one of the biggest in the province. It was proclaimed a component city on July 28, 2007 by virtue of Republic Act 9434.