After the closure of mining operations, the government initiated efforts to rehabilitate the mined site, bringing Taft River’s natural wonders back to life.
“Taft River is a
sleeping giant waiting to be a popular tourist destination in Eastern Samar,”
said Leonardo Balmes, Taft tourism council president.
Seeing that the river
is once again alive and its great tourism potential, the tourism council,
composed of government officials and local business leaders, introduced
kayaking and paddle boarding as tourism activities. A two-hour use of kayak,
paddle board, and life vest costs PHP300.
“As of now, that is
the initial activity that we can offer at the river for summer tourists, but we
have more plans in the future,” Balmes told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on
Thursday.
Taft River is one of
the major rivers in Eastern Samar. Among its tributaries are rivers and streams
in Hinabangan, Samar.
This once beautiful
river and abundant of various flora and fauna eventually died due to the
negative impact of mining in Samar Island.
From 1956 to 1992,
mining operation in Hinabangan town had polluted the river, killing the river’s
marine life and even plants nearby. The Bagacay copper and pyrite mine site are
located within 113 hectares of land in Bagacay village in Hinabangan town.
Aside from kayak and
paddle boarding, tourists are also encouraged to visit the town’s Dangkalan
Beach Resort endowed with exhilarating orange-sand beach, skim boarding,
mini-zoo, and mini-park.
Another attraction is
the cave in San Pablo village, believed to be the longest underwater cave in
Southeast Asia and the more accessible Maysuwa Cave in San Rafael village.
For waterfalls
lovers, the picturesque three-layer Maharlika Falls also in San Rafael village
will fascinate them after a 30-minute trek within the so-called virgin forest.
Taft, a 4th class
town in Eastern Samar, is about 140 kilometers northeast of Tacloban City, the
regional capital. (RTA/PNA)
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