The Bongsanglay Natural Park is a 518.9 hectare protected natural area located in Brgy. Royroy, Batuan, Masbate. It was first declared as the Bongsanglay Mangrove Forest in 1981 and became a natural park in 2000. The park features a white sand beach and mangrove sanctuary, and is home to various rare mangrove species. It contains the oldest mangrove tree in the Bicol Region, a 124-year old Api-Api tree measuring 1.35 meters in diameter. The park provides opportunities for activities like relaxing in floating cottages, bird watching, and trekking amidst the trees and is considered one of the most protected areas in the Bicol region.

1. Are you ready to travel with me?
Be mesmerized by the view and soak in
everything about the Bongsanglay
Natural Park.
The Bongsanglay Natural Park is
alongside the crystal blue sea of Brgy.
Royroy, Batuan, Masbate. It was first
declared as Bongsanglay Mangrove
Forest on December 29, 1981. On May
31, 2000, it was declared as
Bongsanglay Natural Park pursuant to
Natural Integrated Protected Area
System (NIPAS).
With 518.9 hectares, it is one of
the eleven (11) legislated protected
areas in the Bicol region. The unique
beauty of the Bongsanglay Natural Park
features the breathtaking white sand
beach and the sanctuary of the
community, the mangroves.
124-year old Api-Api (Avicennia
Marina), oldest mangrove tree in the
entire Bicol Region. It is locally known
as the Miyapi and measures 1.35
meters in diameter and 7 meters in
height.
efforts of the local government unit
DESTINATION
Your next green
DIVE INTO THE WORLD OF THE MANGROVES
Are you ready to travel with me? Be
mesmerized by the view and soak in
everything about the Bongsanglay
Natural Park.
The Bongsanglay Natural Park is
alongside the crystal blue sea of Brgy.
Royroy, Batuan, Masbate. It was first
declared as Bongsanglay Mangrove
Forest on December 29, 1981. On May
31, 2000, it was declared as Bongsanglay
Natural Park pursuant to Natural
Integrated Protected Area System
(NIPAS).
With 518.9 hectares, it is one of the
eleven (11) legislated protected areas in
the Bicol region. The unique beauty of
the Bongsanglay Natural Park features
the breathtaking white sand beach and
the sanctuary of the community, the
mangroves.
Quenie Ron C. Nava
L
ET’S
XLPORE

2. If you are a tourist coming from
Bicol International Airport, travel via
van or jeepney to Pilar Port then ride a
roro going to San Jacinto port. If coming
from Masbate City, once you arrived at
Lagundi Port through fastcraft or boat,
ride a habal-habal that leads directly to
Panisihan and Casa.
It is better to gear up with a
backpack so you can explore to your
heart’s delight, particularly during
summer. Drop by the Bongsanglay
station to log in the Visitor’s Record and
know the do’s and don’ts.
Before entering the
grand entrance of the Park,
we will meet an old but
strong tree standing at the
side of the pathway. The tree
is shaped like a palm asking
blessing from above. It looks
like it is offering something
or asking for some guidance
as it stand still. Its bark was
rough with few bruises, the
leaves were old and not as
green as other leaves from
the other trees.
GREEN WARRIOR’S PARADISE
The Bongsanglay Natural Park has
an abundance of the Bakawan babae,
Bakawan lalake, and the Bakawan
bato. The locality isis unique for it is a
haven to all the species of the
Sonneratiaceae mangrove family. These
are the rare Sonneratiaceae-pagatpat
(Sonneratia alba,) pedada (S.
caseolaris), and pagatpat –baye (S.
ovate).
Towering over all of them is the
124-year old Api-Api (Avicennia
Marina), oldest mangrove tree in the
entire Bicol Region. It is locally known
as the Miyapi and measures 1.35
meters in diameter and 7 meters in
height.
These, among other hidden gems,
clinched the 2nd Runner Up spot in the
prestigious Para El Mar. The park is
considered as one of the most protected
sanctuaries in the Bicol region due to
the efforts of the local government unit
and the people.

3. Travelling to this place makes me
comfortable and beyond happy as I
discover nature. As we travel each of the
pathways of the park, the only thing that I
felt was excitement. Though, it took many
minutes, this place is worth discovering.
The swaying and dancing trees, the singing
birds, the breeze of the wind, and the
sound of the wave as it strikes the
seashore. These are very pleasant to hear,
creating a comforting rhythm. The
activities that we can truly enjoy are
relaxing in the floating cottage; bird finding
as this place is home for several birds like
the little mangrove heron, pacific swallow,
and many more; trekking as the park has
a lot of trees and is perfect for unique eco-
trail. The foods like fresh shrimps and
crabs that all of us are craving for and the
last but not the least the mangroves.
“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing
but pictures, kill nothing but time.’’ There
is thrill in exploring nature so what are we
waiting for? Visit and enjoy the beautiful
paradise of Bongsanglay Natural Park.