Kabankalan’s 2 wonders of nature

THE MAG-ASO Falls in Kabankalan. CARLA P. GOMEZ/INQUIRER VISAYAS

Take your pick from two of nature’s wonders in Kabankalan City—waterfalls that spray a smoky mist or an ecology park nestled beneath a canopy of trees that offers a view of southern Negros Occidental province and beyond.

Local and foreign tourists have marked the two places on their list of favorite destinations in Kabankalan, 92.6 kilometers south of the capital city of Bacolod.

As its waters cascade from as high as 23 meters, the Mag-aso Falls in Sitio Dug-anon, Barangay Oringao, 18.5 km from the city center, seem to be emitting smoke. Over 12 km away in Sitio Balicaocao, Barangay Orong, is the eco-park named after the village and from which one may scan Kabankalan and its environs.

“Balicaocao and Mag-aso are perfect places to go to relax,” said Evelyn Fairbanks, a public school teacher. “They are both good places to go to escape from the city life.”

A total of 108 cement and steel steps downward from Mag-aso Leisure Camp lead to the falls. The long walk downhill may be steep, but there are railings to hold on to and landings in between to allow visitors to pause and catch their breath.

On a small hill that can be reached after a slippery climb, one can get a closer view of the falls and pose for pictures.

Cooling off means jumping into a natural pool at the bottom of the falls and feeling the splash almost like a soothing balm.

For the fainthearted who do not wish to take the 108-step journey, the leisure camp has a swimming pool fed by the cool water from the falls.

On a clear day at Balicaocao Eco-Park, 9.6 km from the city proper, one can see Kabankalan and Himamaylan cities, and the towns of Ilog, Cauayan and Binalbagan, as well as the crocodile-shaped Inampulugan Island off Guimaras province.

Forest protection

The area also offers a view of the sunset and hours later, the flickering city lights from afar.

“It is especially beautiful at night when one can see the city lights in the distance,” Fairbanks said.

Mayor Isidro Zayco said the city government put up the eco-park and the camp not only as inexpensive places to relax and have fun but also to ensure the protection of the forests, especially in Balicaocao where the watershed is located.

Authorities had difficulty  going after illegal loggers in the absence of a road leading to the forests, Zayco said.

Only an old unpaved road led to the waterfalls, while there was no road at all to the watershed areas in the eco-park, he added.

To stop the cutting of trees, Zayco said he decided to build a road from the city proper to Balicaocao in 1996. He invited then Gov. Rafael Coscolluela to visit the area.

After hiking to the area, they discovered the viewing ledge. Why not develop an eco-park? The idea hit Coscolluela.

“I told Pidio (Zayco) it would be a good idea to develop Balicaocao because of the sweeping view of Kabankalan that shows all of the city like the Castaways of Los Angeles,” he said.

The city government, with permission from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, began the 400-hectare eco-park project in 1997. Now, it has six cottages, a function room, picnic areas, a zip line and a swimming pool. Entrance fee is only P5.

According to Fairbanks, the place is surrounded by many trees—most of which are very old. The trees provide a cool canopy, she said.

Mag-aso Leisure Camp, which was opened in 2006, is also a beautiful place to visit, she said. It has two cottages and picnic grounds near the pool. Entrance fee is P10.

Today, both the camp and the eco-park have become favorite weekend getaways for city residents, as well as those from nearby towns, and for foreign tourists.

But for Mayor Zayco, enjoying God’s gifts comes with the responsibility of protecting and restoring what had been lost to man’s greed.