Gameplan: Discover Danjugan Island

NEGROS ISLAND, Philippines – Many people are on the constant lookout for beautiful, unspoiled beaches in the Philippines, a quiet escape from the buzz of the city and sometimes overpopulated tourist spots. While exploring Negros Occidental, the Gameplan team discovered a marine sanctuary off its southern coast – Danjugan Island.

“I’ve always heard about the place from family and friends, but I never thought of going because I was busy. But now that I’m here, I just find myself asking ‘Why wasn’t I here earlier?'” said Gameplan host Julian Rodriguez.

Danjugan is a 43-hectare island located on the southern coast of Negros Occidental, and is under the protection of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc (PRRCFI). Its ecosystem used to be threatened by illegal fishing, but it has now become a protected sanctuary for marine and terrestrial life.

“It was a very environmentally connected feeling. The structures that were made here were designed to not be of any intrusion to the natural habitat of the animals and the trees,” said Julian.

A trek around the island will bring you to mangrove plantations and a cave where thousands of bats dwell. “I’ve never seen so many bats in one place. You think that these creatures are scary but it’s beautiful. And you realize that if you don’t mess with anything here, it won’t mess with you.”

“I need to explore more of this place. I’m going to come back to this place. I think this place has something which is very inspiring,” said Julian. – Rappler.com