La Union Highlights Eco-Tourism in Region I Birdwatching Caravan
By: Omme Atiyah Gonting, GPC-LUPTO; Geraldine Salazar-Lucero, PIO | Photos By: Mico Salamanca, LUPTO | Date: April 6 - 7, 2025
With its diverse bird species, La Union took center stage in the Region 1 Birdwatching Caravan held on April 6 to 7, 2025. The province showcased its rich natural assets and growing potential as a premier eco-tourism destination through a series of guided birdwatching activities that highlighted its environmental wealth and biodiversity.
The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO), participated in the two-day caravan organized by the Department of Tourism Region 1, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Northwestern University – Center for Biodiversity Conservation, Restoration, Ecology, and Environment Concerns.
The caravan aimed to promote birdwatching as a sustainable tourism activity and emphasize biodiversity conservation across the Ilocos Region. It also sought to identify and promote birding sites suitable for future eco-tourism development.
Key La Union sites featured during the event included Brgy. Roais in Santo Tomas and the Agoo-Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape, where native bird species were observed in rich coastal and forested environments. The Dulao Mangrove Area in Aringay provided another ecological highlight, offering sightings of swallows, egrets, flycatchers, and terns within a thriving mangrove ecosystem.
Participants also visited the Gapuz Grape Farm in Bauang for a grape-picking activity, adding an Agri-Tourism component that demonstrated the diversity of La Union’s tourism offerings. The inclusion of both ecological and agricultural attractions reflected the province’s strength in delivering well-rounded, sustainable visitor experiences.
Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David expressed her full support for the event, citing it as aligned with the province’s vision to become the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon and #KalikasanNaman Campaign. She emphasized the importance of promoting eco-tourism activities that foster both appreciation and protection of natural resources. Under her leadership, the Provincial Government has been actively pursuing initiatives that integrate tourism development with environmental stewardship, including community-based programs and the promotion of sustainable destinations such as coastal wetlands and agricultural sites.
The Region 1 Birdwatching Caravan in La Union affirmed the province’s rich biodiversity and its readiness to become a key player in the country’s eco-tourism landscape.
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