Soon to rise: Romblon’s first ecotourism park honors Ati heritage

Romblon is set to make history with the development of its first ecotourism park, a pioneering project that aims to blend sustainable tourism, indigenous heritage, and environmental conservation. The groundbreaking ceremony was held recently on Carabao Island in the Municipality of San Jose, with Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) officials in attendance.

The two-hectare park will feature a cultural information center, view decks, model houses reflecting traditional Ati architecture, performance and gallery spaces, and a souvenir shop. Accessible restrooms, breastfeeding and changing areas, and rest zones will also be provided to ensure inclusive access and comfort for visitors.

The initiative was awarded 4th place in the DOT’s Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC), a program that encourages local government units to propose innovative, impact-driven tourism infrastructure projects. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed during the event, formalizing collaboration between the DOT, TIEZA, and the local government.

Beyond infrastructure, the park is envisioned as a platform for environmental restoration and education. It will serve as a site for tree planting and invasive species control, as well as for forest conservation programs led by the local community. Central to the project is the celebration and preservation of the Ati indigenous people’s culture and connection to the land.

Officials say the ecotourism park will contribute to economic revitalization through job creation and increased tourism, while positioning Romblon as a model for heritage-based, sustainable tourism in the country.