Experience nature at its finest along the Abatan River.

Over the past twenty years, Bohol has become a mega tourism hub capitalizing on its natural wonders and cultural diversity. The grandeur of Chocolate Hills, the awfully cute Philippine tarsier, pristine beaches, and historic landmarks are only some of the attractions the island has been known for. But what goes beyond all of these is the Boholanos strong sense of idiosyncrasy which is now augmented with innovative tourism initiatives.

Recently, the Department of Tourism (DoT) launched the Abatan River Community Life Tour, a new eco-cultural tourism attraction in Bohol that sprang from the collective initiatives of the five communities situated along the river: Cortes, Maribojoc, Antequera, Balilihan, and Catigbian. The main Ecotourism Village Center (EVC) in Barangay Salvador in Cortes is the main docking facility for the tour. The village center also hosts cultural performances and features stalls of the five component municipalities of the river.   

Abatan River is the main drainage system of the Abatan Watershed and one of the three major rivers of Bohol. Back then, when roads were still undeveloped, the river served as the main waterway for the people. The winding river snakes through the town of Antequera and up to the town of Balilihan which opens to the Cortes nipa swamps, among the most extensive nipa swamps in the island. 

Traversed using a native boat called Bantong, the three-hour river cruise provides an idyllic respite for travelers escaping the hubbub of city life. The river’s languid tempo and lazy rhythm effortlessly lulls the passengers into a tranquil daze complemented by the soft breeze and the slow rhythmic dance of palms. However, the tour is not just about the river. It also exhibits the colorful history of the towns embracing the river which will be shown through theatrical performances by the locals in each of the five town pit stops.

At each stop along the tour, ten minute cultural shows unique to each town will be performed by Cultural Collectives. These are community-based cultural associations organized in each of the component local government units. Before and after the performances, tour participants will have the opportunity to view exhibits and displays about the natural and cultural heritage of the host Abatan River community.

“The story of the life of the Boholanos will be narrated along the river. This tour is relevant for travelers who would like to know more about the culture and the history of our province because we didn’t want to develop Abatan like another Loboc River cruise. Our main thrust is cultural tourism, environmental preservation, and alternative livelihood for the locals,” said Bohol Governor Eduardo Chatto. 

The river tour was also former Tourism Secretary Ace Durano’s last project before he stepped down from office. “The Abatan River Tour is another inspiring story of a community-led tourism endeavor. We laud the efforts of the Boholanos in putting up a unique eco-cultural tourism experience that truly shows innovativeness of empowered communities,” Durano said. 

DoT provided financial assistance to the project, amounting to seven million pesos, one of the biggest ecotourism programs supported by the department.  Technical support was also provided by other government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Provincial Government of Bohol.

For more information contact: (038) 416-00-67 or visit www.processbohol.org