Some 119.3 kilometers away from Iloilo City , the Philippines’ last remaining lowland rainforest in Panay is located in Sibalom Antique. The Sibalom Natural Park was declared as a natural park in April 23, 2000 and established as a watershed forest reserve in June 28, 1990. It covers approximately 5,511.47 hectares of land extending to at least 17 barangays of the town. It provides drinking water to at least five towns in the province and a source of irrigation to at least 5,500 hectares of riceland.
In March 1, 2022, the natural park was opened to tourists who can tour the area with forest rangers acting as guides. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has provided amenities that include picnic tables, gazebos and cottages. It is open for small meetings, seminars and even overnight stays.
The natural park is home to 76 bird species, 28 of which are endemic to the Philippines that include the Negros bleeding heart, Walden’s hornbill, Visayan Hornbill, brahminy kite, blue-naped parrot, white winged cuckoshrike and eastern grass owl. Spotted inside the park are Visayan spotted deer, Visayan warty pig, the giant Visayan frog, Negros truncated-toes chorus frog, collared monitor lizard and the Philippine sailfin lizard.
In 2002, Rafflesia speciose, the world’s biggest endangered flower was discovered in its forest cover. Trees like white lauan, apitong and fruit trees like antipolo and malapaho are standing tall inside its forest.
On the foot of the natural park, residents offer prepared meals for guests that include their specialty chicken porbida and pinapisikan na manok.
The park offers a minimal entrance fee to its visitors.