Campbell Memorial Park seen to boost ecotourism in Ifugao town



Recently, the local government of this town also announced its plans to develop the Asipulo area to accommodate hikers and campers who wish to visit the beautiful outdoors of Ifugao to complement the project. Situated in a 40-hectare ancestral land owned by the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Puguon Sr. at Barangay Pula, the JCAM offers a scenic view of beautiful rice terraces, virgin forests, native villages and an area of wildlife. This is a tribute by the municipality of Asipulo to the fallen US Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell who was mercilessly slain in Barangay Batad, Banaue on April 8 and hurriedly buried in a shallow muddy grave.

Campbell Memorial Park seen to boost ecotourism in Ifugao town

Campbell Memorial Park seen to boost ecotourism in Ifugao town

by Dan B. Codamon

ASIPULO, Ifugao (15 October) -- The Julia Campbell Agro-Forest Memorial Park (JCAM) located at Barangay Pula here, which was inaugurated on June 3,2007 soon after the death of US Peace Corp Volunteer Julia Campbell, is seen to boost eco-tourism not only in this municipality but to the entire province.

Envisioned to be fully developed by February 2008, the park is already opened to the public and hosted a number of volunteers, hikers, tourists and campers alike.

However, due to lack of boarding facilities to provide housing for campers, the maximum benefit cannot yet be realized so effort is being undertaken by the Indigenous Farmers for Sustainable Agriculture (IFSA) of this municipality to construct native and environmentally friendly houses at the park by seeking funds from generous donors for the project.

They said the project will use indigenous materials such as cogon grass and native wood trees procured responsibly and in an environmentally conscious manner by licensed woodcutters.

If finished, these could house and accommodate 42 visitors and campers all at the same.

Recently, the local government of this town also announced its plans to develop the Asipulo area to accommodate hikers and campers who wish to visit the beautiful outdoors of Ifugao to complement the project.

Situated in a 40-hectare ancestral land owned by the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Puguon Sr. at Barangay Pula, the JCAM offers a scenic view of beautiful rice terraces, virgin forests, native villages and an area of wildlife.

This is a tribute by the municipality of Asipulo to the fallen US Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell who was mercilessly slain in Barangay Batad, Banaue on April 8 and hurriedly buried in a shallow muddy grave.

Although suspect Juan Duntugan voluntarily surrendered two weeks later, the case is still pending at the Regional Trial Court Branch 34 of Lagawe to determine whether the crime committed is murder or homicide.

After Campbell's death, the people of Asipulo felt a great sense of sadness and moral responsibility to strengthen their friendship with the US Peace Corp Volunteers.

With this strong feeling of sympathy, the community took on the idea of developing a memorial park for their new found hero, Julia Campbell as they had been enjoying and appreciating their time and projects with previous and present US Peace Corps volunteers who are working for the betterment of poor communities.

It was this joyous working relationship that inspired them to voluntarily offer their place for the park as a way of showing their gratitude to the US Peace Corp Volunteers and to finally have closure to the painful death of Campbell, and instead remember her inspirational and fulfilling life.

The idea of the park came to reality when the Puguon Family offered their organic farmland and virgin forest to be used for the JCAM.

The Puguon family will take responsibility in maintaining the quality of the park land with the assistance of the IFSA while the local youth organization, Providential Youngster Society volunteered their services for trail and campground maintenance.

On the other hand, the local government of Asipulo promised to continue to assist with park celebration and functions as well as appointing municipal employees to help in trail renovation and development.

The community can benefit from the project by having free available camping areas for youth trainings, seminars and campouts, along with the ability to activate their eco-tourism plans with the newly created position of Municipal tourism Officer and the appointment of municipal tour guides.

Knowledge and skills in eco-tourism, solid waste management, native house development and accommodation relations can also follow that will further inspire and prepare the community for the development of other potential eco-tourism spot in the municipality.

Moreover, the IFSA can earn extra income through the cottage rentals to guests where the profit will go directly to the account of the organization.

The park will be ran in a cost and labor efficient manner that will insure its presence within Asipulo into the distant future and at the same time serve as an important cornerstone in the development of the municipality's newly formed eco-tourism plan. (PIA Ifugao)

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: October, 2007; RPCV Julia Campbell (Philippines); RPCV Julia Campbell (Philippines); Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Crime; Murder; Journalism

When this story was posted in November 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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By Antonieta Y. Elizaga (203.177.74.139) on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 1:34 am: Edit Post

Greetings!
I am a high school teacher in one of the schools in Leyte province. Our school has a Peace Corp volunteer.
Our school head, after attending the orientation in Bacolod City regarding this regard told us that Miss PCV (sorry for not giving names) and the Mrs. English Teacher will work together in the classroom, co-plan and co-teach at the same time. At first they were both in the classroom. Since the PCV is on time in the class, Mrs. English Teacher was also trying to be in her classes on time. After 1 or 2 months, I noticed (we are at the adjacent rooms) that Mrs. English sometimes did not report to her classes and thus leaving the PCV to handle the class alone , no splitting of students made. Lately, I wrote my question to the school head regarding this matter and an audience between me, the school head and Mrs. English Teacher was made. During the audience, the English Teacher said that she's no longer reporting her 2 English classes in first year for she finished the subject for that year level and she had the agreement with the PCV to handle the class alone for reading comprehension and she will be busy preparing for the review class in second year, This second year review class only happen once a week this month of February. There was no prior notice to the school head on their agreement.
Here is my first question.
Is this happening allowable based on the principles of rules and functions of a Peace Corp Volunteer in the Philippine Educational System?
February 25, 2009, Wednesday, I was in my first year class while the PCV was in the adjacent room without Mrs. English Teacher handling the class alone went to my room and asked me what to do with the 2 students fighting?
Second question: Who is most liable for that fight of the students, is it the PCV or Mrs. English teacher?
Thank you for your attention and am hoping for your response on my e mail add.
God bless!