MANILA, Philippines - Blue connotes beauty, like in the movie Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley, and in the Blue Lagoon, also a movie.
In Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, the Blue Lagoon (photo) exists, a lake with crystal-clear and serene waters. Fronting it is the famous and award-winning tourist-destination, Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center (HBRCC).
Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr. PAF (Ret.), proprietor of HBRCC, describes the Blue Lagoon as “God’s beautiful masterpiece, of majestic beauty and wonders.”
Hannah’s 1.2-km zipline, the longest in Asia, crosses over the Blue Lagoon.
For Col. Nolasco, it is not enough to enjoy the beauty of Blue Lagoon. It must be protected and sustained. Hence, in a recent meeting with Pagudpud Mayor Marlon Ferdinand Sales and other local stakeholders, Col. Nolasco stressed the adoption of ecotourism for Blue Lagoon.
“Ecotourism,” he said, “is a form of suitable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of visitors.”
While Mayor Sales commended HBRCC for having brought much economic progress in Pagudpud and promoting ecotourism, he stressed immediate and active participation of the citizenry in the preservation and upkeep of the natural treasures of Pagudpud.
Among the activities to be immediately undertaken to preserve and protect the beauty of Blue Lagoon are: Communities should organize themselves for the clean-up of Blue Lagoon; establish a solid waste management in Brgy. Balaoi where the Blue Lagoon is; formulation of Brgy. Balaoi ecotourism strategy; creation of a culture of tourism with warm, friendly and hospitable service as a way of life; relocation of souvenir stores in one common area; and an improved parking system to avoid traffic congestion and obstruction. Further, the local government will immediately repair or retrofit bridges and repair roads as well.