DAGUPAN CITY – The Pangasinan Eco Park, a sprawling 20-hectare project in Barangay Cayanga, Bugallon town, is nearing completion and poised to become a major tourism draw for the province of Pangasinan.
Project implementer Pat Orduña announced that the eco-park is already 50 percent complete, offering a glimpse into its diverse attractions.
The park has a 2.71-hectare botanical garden, an organic production area, and a 3.81-hectare orchard.
There is also a swimming pool, a view deck, and a campsite perfect for overnight stays.
“The Pangasinan Eco Park is part of the Green Canopy program of Governor Ramon Guico III. This is also the place where young people can go for educational purposes for environmental preservation,” he said.
Orduña envisions the park as a prime destination for children’s field trips, transforming it into a living classroom.
Every plant will be labeled with its common and scientific names, fostering a love of nature and environmental awareness among young minds.
To amp up the excitement, Orduña revealed plans to explore the addition of a thrilling cable car ride and a challenging shooting range, catering to visitors seeking adventure and a touch of adrenaline.
The park’s development started in August 2023 and is set to open to the public in 2025.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Pangasinan conducted 98 tree-planting activities, planting a total of 149,964 seedlings from February to December last year under the Green Canopy program.
An additional 3,700 seedlings were planted in the towns of Infanta and Bolinao on February 2 and 7, 2024, respectively.
The Green Canopy project was launched in the second quarter of 2023, and aims to make the entire province green by planting a million trees, including avocado, atis, jackfruit, coconut, and mangrove, within a year.
The initiative also serves as protection against heat, flooding, and soil erosion.
Aside from reforestation, the program seeks to foster a culture of volunteerism among provincial government employees.
Orduña encouraged the local media to join the tree-planting activity in May 2024. By: Jenrie C. Del Rosario