(UPDATED) A third firefly watching site will be launched on July 28 by the City Tourism Office (CTO) at Nagsagipi River in Brgy. Salvacion, north of downtown Puerto Princesa.
Touted to be the “Home of the Fireflies”, the Nagsagipi River firefly watching will operate as community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) site, said tourism operations assistant Lalaine Gualin in an interview with Palawan News.
“Iniimbitahan natin lahat ng ating mga kababayan dito sa Puerto Princesa sa Nagsagipi, the ‘Home of Fireflies’. Isa itong CBST na nasasakupan ng Brgy. Salvacion. In-organize natin sila para sa isang activity kasi dito natin nakita na napakarami palang fireflies dito sa pagitan ng Brgy. Salvacion at Brgy. Sta. Cruz,” Gualin said.
She said guests can choose to ride a boat or just walk to spot the fireflies.
Gualin said that while the area is intended for firefly watching, visitors may also go to Nagsagipi River watch and appreciate birds in their natural environment, boat or kayak around, and swim.
Aside from Nagsagipi, the city government is also operating two other firefly watching sites in Kitu-Kito in Sitio Tagbato also in Salvacion and in Brgy. Iwahig.
However, the operation of the firefly watching tour in Iwahig has been stopped by the Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR).
Gualin said they are also studying the possibility of offering a ride from the center of the city to Salvacion.
She explained the site offers affordable tour packages — P150 for food (dinner); P150 for firefly watching stroll around the area with kayaking experience in Nagsagipi River; and P200 for combined stroll and kayaking tours plus an entry to the firefly sanctuary.
The sanctuary is a grassy area where the fireflies stay during the day, Gualin said, adding their sanctuary is a good location where visitors can actually witness the moment when they finally turn on their lights and fly towards the trees at night.
“Doon makikita natin ‘yong laman ng environment natin. Napakayaman pala natin sa likas-yaman. Gusto [din] namin na tulungan talaga ang mga communities kaya andito tayo, nagpup-pursige. Sana maimbitahan pa natin lahat ng ating mga kababayan para sa July 8,” Gualin said
