Safari in Palawan

Calauit Safari Park

April 08, 2009

Tourism in Palawan will take on a new high as the Provincial Government of Palawan lays the groundwork for the transformation of the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Busuanga to the Calauit Safari Park. Executive Order 722 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last December 12, 2008 paved the way for the transfer of the management of the sanctuary from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development to the Provincial Government of Palawan and renaming it as the Calauit Safari Park. The ceremonial turnover of the Calauit management was held last March 23 with Gov. Joel T. Reyes receiving the documents on the sanctuary from PCSDS Executive Director Romeo Dorado and CENRO Felizardo Cayatoc. Also present in the ceremony was Busuanga Mayor Samuel de Jesus.

In his message, Gov. Reyes conveyed his gratitude to President Arroyo for approving the proposal of the Provincial Government converting the sanctuary into a park and paving the way for its development into an ecotourism destination. “This is part of our vision for Calauit and I’m glad that the President has given me the opportunity to implement the blueprint of the Calauit Safari Park in the last year of my third term as Governor of the province,” Gov. Reyes explained. He added that the the provincial government aims to infuse additional funds for the development of the park in partnership with the private sector particularly with a group which has the expertise to carry out the vision for the Calauit Safari Park, as a primary ecotourism destination offering great outdoor adventure with exotic animals like the giraffe, zebra, gazelle along with Palawan’s endemic animals like the Palawan mouse deer, the Calamian deer not only in the country but also in Asia. “Calauit has great tourism potentials as a haven for man and animals,” says the Governor.

During the turnover ceremony, Gov. Reyes assured the existing personnel who have been taking care of the animals and the Calauit island that they will remain in their jobs. In fact the 34 Calauit employees already signed their new job contracts with the Provincial Government right after the turnover ceremony. Meanwhile, the governor also instructed the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator and other provincial officials to meet with the local officials of Busuanga to discuss and lay down the policies and guidelines toward the effective operation and management of the Park.

In line with this development, Gov. Reyes ordered the initial improvements in the park to commence next month. This includes the construction of a reception hall and briefing area, guest waiting area and perimeter fence, floating wharf at Sitio Macalachao, power house, rehabilitation of employee’s quarters and reshaping of Calauit Road.

So, animal lovers and those looking for an exciting adventure can now anticipate an authentic safari experience at the Calauit Safari park.

source: Palawan provincial tourism