One of the projects currently being implemented by Haribon Foundation is the Forest and Climate Protection (ForClim) Project in Central Panay.

ForClim Project, a German-Philippine cooperation/partnership initiative represented by German International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), support the 18 local governments surrounding Central Panay Mountain Ranges.

ForClim’s objective is “The Central Panay Mountain with globally significant biodiversity is protected and natural resources are used by the adjacent communities in a sustainable manner.”

Only about 8 percent of forests remain in Panay and its protection and conservation of biodiversity is critical to address the challenges of climate change. In December 2012, a team composed of Haribon staff, local government staff and representatives from West Visayas State University (WVSU), Iloilo took trekked to the Central Panay mountain ranges to conduct a bio-physical survey and to discover the treasured flora and fauna central Panay’s forests embraces.

The bio-physical survey aims to validate the existence of threatened species based on the data given by the local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Central Panay Mountain Ranges.

I was assigned under Cluster IV to identify sightings of wildlife species in Janiuay, Tapaz, Lambonao and Calinog, in Iloilo.

During the orientation with local governments and professors from WVSU, I realized that we were going to survey an area called “Tinagong Dagat.” I began marvelling at the thought of escaping to a hidden sea. I said to myself this survey would surely be memorable as the name of the place to be surveyed spelled mystery.

Reaching this intriguing Tinagong Dagat proved challenging. At the start of our trek on December 4, 2012, Typhoon Pablo came to accompany us. The Western and Eastern Visayas, which included Panay was placed at Signal no. 2.

Amid Typhoon Pablo, we proceeded to Lambonao for our take off. It was already 9:15 a.m. when we reached Lambonao from our destination, and rain already started gushing. At exactly 9:25 a.m., we started trekking and yes, the rain continued pouring.

It was already past 12 noon when we had our lunch in a small hut along the trail to regain energy. About 2 p.m., we arrived in Barangay Cabatangan, still part of Lambonao, Iloilo.

According to our local guides, it would take another five hours to reach the area. So instead of trekking that afternoon, we decided to forgo the five-hour trek, and just do it the following day so we could get enough sleep, rest, and get ready for the next day’s activity. As I checked the elevation using my global positioning system (GPS), the elevation was around 600 meter above sea level (masl).

December 5, 2012, destination: Tinagong Dagat. On this day, we left the village as early as 7 a.m. so we can reach the area by lunch. At exactly 12:38 p.m., lo and behold, we did it, and I could already see the small lake at around 700 masl. Well, it’s not actually a sea but a small lake approximately 4 hectares using GPS. What a picturesque view of “Tinagong Dagat”! Calm. Nice. Relaxing.

As forester, I have observed that there are many threats to this hidden sea such as human intervention, slash and burn, or kaingin, conversion of forest to agricultural or cash crops, hunting for birds and other wildlife and settlement.

If “Tinagong Dagat” would not be protected, abused, and spared from destruction, I suggest this lake be kept hidden, so Tinagong Dagat could preserve its pristine beauty for future generation to see, appreciate and marvel.