The Province of Antique on the western side of Panay Island never falls short when it comes to natural wonders. It takes pride of its tall and verdant peaks, pristine river systems, majestic seas, bountiful plains, and diverse flora and fauna. And in its heart lies the Municipality of Valderrama.
It’s not your usual “where the mountains meet the sea” kind of place, after all, that’s what Antique is known for. Instead, this landlocked, mountainous town meets with the sky and it has a lot to offer to tourists and those who call it home.
Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort (VVMR) is one of the major ecotourism destinations in Valderrama and Antique as a whole. It has an area of 3.4976 hectares and is part of the Valderrama Reforestation Project in the year 1957. It is later known as the Valderrama Integrated Reforestation Project of the then Bureau of Forest Development that was merged and now part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The area included as an ecotourism site encompasses 297.93 hectares of forest and timber land. Through the years, it has gained traction and is becoming a popular weekend getaway for locals and tourists.
Through the combined efforts of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Valderrama headed by the Municipal Mayor Jocelyn T. Posadas, DENR Region 6 led by Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran, and other stakeholders, A Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism (FLAgT) was inked last July 19, 2023. It is the first FLAgT approved by the DENR Regional Executive Director and awarded by DENR 6 to an LGU in Western Visayas. The agreement paved the way for efforts to sustainably maintain and develop the resort to flourish. It has also redefined the region’s approaches to land utilization and conservation.
VVMR features scenic views of the woods. Decades old trees which are part of reforestation efforts in the past still proudly stand tall. Cool and clean air breezes through as water from deep underground aquifers delight those who drink of it. There are amenities such as cottages and function halls ready to host events and overnight stay. Swimming pools for kids and adults offer a chance to have a dip in the cool waters from the mountains.
Do you want to have a peaceful, off the virtual world escape? This place is perfect for it. One can spend precious time with family, friends, oneself alone under the thick canopy of trees, with the sound of birds chirping and the river flowing as background sonata. A short trek would lead you to the Kawa-Kawa Falls, one of the attractions adjacent to the resort. Tourists flock in the area especially during summer and are a good opportunity for guides to earn more income. These will surely be a vital part of the tourism industry, promoting sustainable ways in managing our forests and benefitting the local economy and community as well.
Aside from its beauty, VVMR also offers a lesson and a challenge for each one of us. It tells people that there is still a chance to make amends with Mother Nature. This reforestation project turned into a sought after tourism destination is a testament that if we care for the environment, its precious beauty and bounty will be its gifts.
Leaders and community members in the past have reared for this forest and we are now being challenged at the present. We need to be responsible leaders and citizens. No matter how big or small, the contributions that we share to the preservation of our natural wonders will surely create ripples. The future of our world and the generations that will come after us depend on what we do now. For the love of nature must always prevail, must we continue to do our part. (DENR)
