Paluan, Occidental Mindoro

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Municipality of Paluan


sealfile =
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_occidental mindoro_paluan.png caption = Map of Occidental Mindoro showing the location of Paluan.
region = MIMARO (Region IV-B)
province = Occidental Mindoro
districts = Lone District of Occidental Mindoro
founded = January 5, 1901
barangays = 12 coordinates =
pop2000 = 12,023
popden2000 =
areakm2 = 56,450
class = 3rd class municipality
website = lgu_paluan1
mayor = Mayor Abelardo S. Pangilinan

Municipal Profile

Before Paluan became a Municipality on January 5, 1901, its history dates as far back as the early part of the 17th century when the village was known as the Religious District of Calavite. The town is located at the northern tip of the Province of Occidental Mindoro. It lies along the northeast shore of Paluan Bay approximately 7 miles southeast of Cape Calavite, a major sea-lane for inter-island and ocean-going vessels. The town is straddled by rolling to steep mountain ranges under the majestic shadow of Mount Calavite, a forest reservation for the rare Mindoro Tamaraw. At Mount Calavite point, the best panoramic view of Occidental Mindoro and nearby islands could be seen.

Lands are vegetated by forest cover making it the dominant land use the locality. Forestland occupies 31,826 hectares or 56% of total land area planted with patches of fruit bearing trees and upland field crops. A significant portion of forestland is restricted zone preservation area for wildlife and watershed. The forest area is a habitat of various flora and fauna. The locality has a total of 18,016.19 hectares of land classified of NIPAS area.

Agricultural lands relatively occupy a large share of 13,842 hectares or 24% of the total land area. About 17% is devoted to rice production while 4% is planted with upland crops such as vegetables and root crops. Large areas of 10,897 hectaqres or 80% remains uncultivated. Open grasslands cover 18% or 10,428 hectares utilized for pasture. These land uses reflect the rural character of the area prdominantly covered by natural vegetation and the major economic avtivity.

Ecotourism is emerging as Paluan’s main attraction. The lush Spartan beauty of Paluan is a haven for lovers of nature. Green forest and orchards line the road from Mamburao to Paluan, providing cool and soothing wind. One cannot help but marvel at its clean environs, the idyllic rural atmosphere and the simplicity of the residents. Tourism potentials are as many as they are diverse. Calawagan Mountain Resort, a well-maintained tourist facility operated by the municipal government, showcases Paluan’s Calawagan River, a National Hall of Fame Awardee as the Cleanest River in the Philippines (1996-1998). Paluan is also the recipient of Special Award during the 5th Annual Nations in Bloom International Environmental Management-Based Competitions held in Washington D.C., U.S.A., in 2000.

Paluan is approximately 175 km. Southwest of Metropolitan Manila. It has two entry points. For group travel, direct flight from Manila to Mamburao via chartered planes could be arranged. A 45 minutes jitney ride to Paluan will complete the trip. The other I thru Abra de Ilog, which is directly accessible from the Port of Batangas City via Roro-ferry. Abra de Ilog to Paluan is only one and half hours by land.

PALUAN: ITS ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ITS HERITAGE

Over the years, Paluan has been an active participant in the National Clean and green Program. This active participation in environmental protection and management has led to an increased awareness amount Paluenos on the municipality’s tourism potentials as a factor of economic growth, which could mobilize a host of productive activities involving local residents in substantial and diversified manner. The various awards garnered by the municipality in the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Competitions have earned for Paluan National and International Recognition as a Clean and Green Municipality. Paluan is National Hall of Fame Awardee in 1998 for Calawagan River as the Cleanest River in the Philippines. The municipality is also the recipient of Special Award during Nations in Bloom 2000 International Environmental Management-Based Competitions held in Washington D.C., U.S.A. in December 2000.

Paluan is again making a strong bid for National Recognition as Clean and Green Municipality. The increasing number of local and foreign visitors to our Calawagan Mountain Resort, which showcases our main attraction-Calawagan River, has shown that the conservation of our various natural and cultural sites can be a major attraction of Paluan as a tourist destination. Natural tourism or Ecotourism has rapidly evolved from the pastime of a select few to a range of activities that encompasses a lot of people pursuing a wide variety of interest in nature.

Thus, the Municipal Clean and Green Program are anchored on the general cleanliness, greenness and irreplaceable beauty of our natural environment, plus the hospitality and open-mildness of Paluenos. The program combines our desire for a development in tourism and the conservation and restoration of our cultural/historical heritage and natural sites.

Given our municipality’s natural resources and potentials, we are indeed faced with the challenge to mobilize and utilize our rich resources for sustainable development. While we have already made significant accomplishments in environmental management as shown by the awards and citations garnered by the municipality in provincial, regional, national and international competitions, we believe that we are just beginning.

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Paluan is politically subdivided into 12 barangays.

* Alipaoy
* Harrison
* Lumangbayan
* Mananao
* MarikitMunicipal Profile
* Mapalad Pob. (Bgy. 1)
* Handang Tumulong Pob. (Bgy. 2)
* Silahis Ng Pag-Asa Pob. (Bgy. 3)
* Pag-Asa Ng Bayan Pob. (Bgy. 4)
* Bagong Silang Pob. (Bgy. 5)
* San Jose Pob. (Bgy 6)
* Tubili

Paluan Ecotourism Destinations

1. What are the ecotourism attraction in the area? (What to see?)PHYSICAL ATTRACTION 1. Mt. Calavite-Mountain/Rain Forest/Beautiful Terrains and rock formation/Flora (wild orchids and bonsai trees) & Fauna (butterflies, birds, deers & Tamaraws),

2. Calawagan Mountain Resort-Tamaraw Hotel-Calawagan Training Center-Cottages-Camp Sites-Swimming pools-Hanging Bridge-Mini falls -Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the Philippines, forest, rock formation, monkeys, birds and butterflies

3. Water Falls:-Batinglay Falls-Bisay Falls-Atuyan Falls-Calawagan Mini-Falls Crystal Clear River, Beautiful rock formation, Forest, Flora & Fauna

4. Mainit Hot Spring Hot Spring, Forest

5. Bulalacao Mountain Ridge Resort Spring Water, Forest, Flora & Fauna

6. Ignonok White Beach White Sand, Forest

7. Diving Site:-Igsuso Reef-Mahabang Buhangin Reef-Marikit Reef-Ignonok Reef Different Marine Species, Coral Reefs

8. Paluan Beaches Crystal Sea Water, Clean Sea Shores,Different Marine Species

2. What are the Cultural and Historical Features of the area?Cultural Practices Traditional handicraft/art Sacred PlacesPahago Festival (Parada ng Lechon & Paluan Delicacies, Street Dancing) Wood Craft, Basket Weaving and Decors San Jose ParishPenetensiya and Pabasa ng Pasion during Holy Week Lumang Bayan Parish-Station of the Cross-Mama Mary ShrineSta. Cruz de Mayo Pinagbayanan ChurchTodos los Santos San Jose Feast CelebrationCaracol, Fluvial Parade Pinal-ayon (Wedding Ceremony of Mangyan’s) Wedding: Linguhan, Paharana, Muninian

Presence of Ips/Tribe ___Iraya______

3. What activities Mt. Calavite can offer?- Best for Mountaineering/Rock Climbing/Adventure Camping- Tamaraw, Deer, Bird and Butterfly Watching- Site seeing - Trail Biking 4. How to get there? Is the access available all year round? How much will it cost and how long it will take to get to the site?Itinerary Mode of transportation Schedule of trips/frequency Distance/approx. Km.Departure from Batangas to Abra de Ilog, Occ. Mindoro

Abra de Ilog to Paluan , Occ. Mdo. Roro Vessel

Van 4:00 am- 10:00 am.12:00 nn- 2:00 pm8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Always available 2 hrs. roro ride

2 hrs, 38 km.Manila to Mamburao-Paluan Chartered Plane Rental 45 mins

5. What is unique in the area?- Tamaraw siting- Calawagan river is the Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the Philippines 6. What do you think the best theme for the ecotourism product?- Mt. Calavite Adventure Ecotourism Park

7. What are the needs of the area?- Convenient Road/Concrete Road- 24 hrs. Power Supply- Local Tourism Desk/Center- Marketing

8. What can be your possible role in developing ecotourism in the area? As Local Community- Awareness- Participation in developing the ecotourism destination

As a Local Government Unit- Revitalized the capacity building of Municipal Tourism Council- Establish Tourism Center- Support the tourism plans, programs and projects - Information and disseminations to the community

As PAMB member

9. What do you think the community need and hope?- Support from the government 10. Is basic medical care/rescue units/disaster preparedness available in the area?- Basic medical care unit is available

11. Where to stay?- Manzano’s Micro-Inn Hotel- Dazzle Hotel- Tamaraw Hotel- Home stay- Camp

12. What and where to eat?- Pastries made from carabao milk (Arroz, Bubo, Pastillas)- Puto bumbong, bibingka, suman, liya, casue nuts, peanut brittle - Uok (Wood worm) - Pure honey bee (Pulot Pukyutan)- Fresh Fish- Green grapes/mangoes

13. What is your plans/and programs in developing Mt. Calavite as Ecotourism Site?- Establishing Mt. Calavite as Ecotorism Site ( Local Resolution)- Marketing/Advertising- Establish Mt. Calavite Tourism Office/Desk- Training of Mt. Calavite personnel’s/tour guides

14. How can you describe the peace and order in the area?- Prospect tourist and visitors are well secured in Paluan

15. List down issues and common problems encountered in the area and possible.

Issues/Constraints Possible Solution1. Environment- Degradation of the area 1. Strengthen partnership with LGU in protection activities.

2. Raise awareness on the potential of the area for ecotourism

External links

* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]