A Walk in the Park: Philippine National Parks

Beach, historical places, bar hopping, and shopping – these perhaps are the top offerings of any travel agency in the Philippines whenever they are planning a getaway for most foreign and local tourists. However, the Philippine Islands offer a whole lot more. For the people who want to quench their adventure, or those who just want to get close to nature, or even those who just want to take a quiet stroll, a visit to some of the national parks in the Philippines can do a lot for your mind and body. 

In the Philippines, National Parks refer to those areas where historical or natural value is attributed such that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Legislature has deemed it proper to protect such areas by virtue of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992. The Philippines endeavours to maintain its biodiversity. Thus, to preserve the abundant flora and fauna a total of 240 areas in the Philippines are considered protected areas. Among these protected areas, 34 of which are National Parks. 

Some of the most popular national parks often advertised by a travel agency in the Philippines are: Luneta National Park in Manila, Caramoan National Park in Camarines Sur, Mount Pulag National Park in Cordillera, Mount Arayat National Park in Pampanga, Pagsanjan Gorge National Park in Laguna, Mado Hot Spring National Park in Cotabato, Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan, Paoay Lake National Park in Ilocos Norte, Fuyot Springs National Park in Isabela, and the MacArthur Landing National Park in Leyte.

Luneta Park and MacArthur Park are top destinations for history enthusiasts. Luneta, then Bagubayan, was the site where the Philippine national hero named Jose Rizal was executed during the Spanish regime while MacArthur Park is popular as it is the landing site of General Douglas MacArthur, the esteemed General who helped end the Japanese occupation in the Philippines. 

A travel agency in the Philippines specializing in travel adventures would most likely recommend Mount Pulag and Mount Arayat as these parks are popular to both foreign and local hikers and trekkers.  Caramoan, Mado Hot Spring, Paoay Lake, Pagsanjan, Fuyot Springs, and Hundred Islands are the top picks for those people who want to get close to nature while wading in the waters. It is also worth noting that Caramoan has gained much popularity since it was featured as the location of the reality TV Series Survivor.