ALREADY KNOWN for its world famous mangoes and pristine beaches, Guimaras Island has expanded its attractions with the putting up of a bee farm on the island.

The Pinewoods Bee Garden is the first bee farm in Western Visayas complementing the eco-tourism thrusts of the 60,460-hectare island-province.

The 1,400-square-meter farm which opened in September last year has drawn foreign and local tourists and students, according to its owner, businessman Arsenio Gaitan.

Situated in Barangay San Miguel at the capital town of Jordan, a 10-minute ride from the wharf, the farm also hosts a restaurant and bar, coffee shop, spacious garden and pond punctuated with Thai- and Indonesian-inspired cottages.

After observing the bees, guests can lounge at the bar. The restaurant offers a wide array of dishes including salads, appetizers and pasta.

Investment

Guimaras Gov. Felipe Nava said the farm offers a new type of investment and as a tourist destination in the region because it is packaged as a tourism and educational experience.

?It is environmentally sound and educational especially for children,? said Nava.

The provincial government has included the bee farm in its tourism packages to provide a unique experience to guests.

Gaitan, 39, said the farm has currently six colonies with around 36,000 bees. There are 10 more off-site colonies in mangrove areas on the island.

Guests at the farm can also watch a 10-minute orientation film on bees and their role in the environment especially in plant pollination.

Safety equipment

The farm?s four staff members provide safety equipment and instructions to guests including the wearing of bee veils and maintaining a safe distance from the bees. It has also a smoker machine to calm down the bees if they become agitated.

Gaitan and one of his staff members have undergone an intensive course on beekeeping at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

The idea of putting up a bee farm on the island came up when Gaitan visited bee farms in Panglao Island in Bohol and Cavite several years ago.

?I was impressed with the opportunity of investing in a business but, at the same time, help preserve our environment,? said Gaitan.

He cited the by-products of culturing bees including honey and honey-based products and wax for soap, candle, shampoo and vinegar.

The farm has started producing honey and soap from wax.