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Hinulugang Taktak

Coordinates: 14°35′41″N 121°10′03″E / 14.59472°N 121.16750°E / 14.59472; 121.16750
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Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Hinulugang Taktak
Map showing the location of Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape
Map showing the location of Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape
Location in Luzon
Map showing the location of Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape
Map showing the location of Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape
Location in the Philippines
LocationRizal, Philippines
Nearest cityAntipolo
Coordinates14°35′41″N 121°10′03″E / 14.59472°N 121.16750°E / 14.59472; 121.16750
Area3.2 hectares (7.9 acres)
Established15 July 1952 (Recreation area)
18 September 1990 (National park)
17 November 2000 (Protected landscape)
Visitors843,000 (in 2018[1])
Governing bodyRizal Provincial Government
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape, also known as Hinulugan Taktak, is a protected area in Rizal, Philippines. Initially assigned as a recreation area, the waterfall area has been designated as a national park by virtue of Republic Act No. 6964 in 1990.[2] Ten years later, it became a protected landscape under Proclamation No. 412.[3] It is managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Rizal Provincial Government.[4]

History

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Folk knowledge has it that the name was derived from a large bell (taktak) that was thrown (hinulog) into the falls during the 15th century or the 16th century because the local villagers considered it too loud. Since then, it has become known as Hinulugang Taktak or the place where the bell fell.[5][6] One of Antipolo's iconic destinations, the other being the Antipolo Cathedral,[7] Hinulugang Taktak is featured in the hymn Antipolo composed by German San Jose in 1929.[5] The lyrics indicate that even at the time, it was already a popular recreational area.[8]

On 15 July 1952, five lots with a total area of 0.85 hectares (2.1 acres) were reserved as a recreation area under the administration of the Antipolo Municipal Government. The largest lot came from the property of James O'Hara and Concepcion Francisco, while the rest came from the properties of Concepcion Leyba y Banson and the Manila Railroad Company.[9] Beginning in the 1960s, the waters have become slowly polluted. To stop the degradation of the falls, it was designated as a national park on 18 September 1990. As part of its conversion into a national park, the reserved area was increased to 3.2 hectares (7.9 acres).[2][6] The rehabilitation began as early as 1991. Seven years later, up to 75 per cent of the area has been restored at a cost exceeding 45 million pesos.[10]

On 17 November 2000, it became a protected landscape under Proclamation No. 412, effectively transferring its administration to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Rizal Provincial Government. It also mandated the use of the trust fund through the Integrated Protected Area Fund System to add to the limited funding for the park from the national government.[3][11] Renewed efforts were made to rehabilitate the area in 2009, with an initial three-year budget of 100 million pesos, and in 2013.[12][13] However, an oil spill in 2015 forced the closure of the park, further intensifying rehabilitation efforts.[14][15] Private institutions also helped in the restoration, including photo exhibits, bamboo planting and other re-greening efforts in the area.[16][17] Eleven days after the oil spill, the park was reopened to visitors.[18][19]

Hinulugang Taktak was declared a national park under Republic Act No. 11038 (Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018), signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2018.[20] On 13 February 2020, the Hinulugang Takatak reopened to the public after a long year of rehabilitation and featured recreational activities, including a spider web platform, hanging bridges, and a wall climbing facility.[21]

Geography and geology

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Located around 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) from the Antipolo Cathedral, the falls can be accessed through Taktak Road. The park contains the headwaters of the Sapang Baho River (also known as Antipolo River and Taktak River), which flows to Laguna de Bay through the Manggahan Floodway. Due to the accumulated water pollution, it was deemed unsafe for recreational purposes such as swimming.[22] The falls have a height of 21.5 meters (70.5 feet) and a width of 25.8 meters (84.6 feet). The rocks beneath the Quaternary soil are Miocene layers. However, the area is susceptible to erosion, landslides, and earthquakes.[6]

Biology and ecology

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At least 11 species of trees can be found in the area, including Senna spectabilis, Cananga odorata, Swietenia macrophylla, Pterocarpus indicus, Chrysophyllum cainito, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Persea americana, Sandoricum koetjape, Mangifera indica, Averrhoa bilimbi, and Cocos nucifera. While there is no report of endemic or endangered species present, animal species in the area include Varanus salvator, Python reticulatus, and Draco volans.[6]

Recreation

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Starting in 2002, facilities began to be built as part of the continuing rehabilitation effort. Due to water pollution, the river itself was deemed unsafe for swimming. As an alternative, a nearby pool was constructed for swimmers.[6] Private resorts and hotels have also been built near the area.[23] Since its designation as a national park and its consequent rehabilitation, visitors have steadily increased from 45,563 in 1995 to 83,431 in 2004. This raised the profile of Hinulugang Taktak as the nation's second most popular national park, following the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.[24] As of 2008, it recorded the third largest income for any protected area in the Philippines with 11.1 million pesos, following the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (first) and the Mount Apo Natural Park (second).[25]

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  • Waterfall area
    Waterfall area
  • Entrance
    Entrance
  • Bridge
    Bridge
  • Meditation area
    Meditation area
  • Swimming pool
    Swimming pool
  • Sapang Baho River
    Sapang Baho River
  • Top view
    Top view

References

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  1. ^ "Mayor Ynares glad tourists are flocking to Hinulugang Taktak again". Politiko. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Republic Act No. 6964". The Lawphil Project. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Proclamation No. 412 series of 2000". Official Gazette. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Hinulugang Taktak to be co-managed by DENR, LGUs of Rizal Province and Antipolo City". DENR CALABARZON. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Talon na ipinangalan sa kampana". GMA News. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Hinulugang Taktak". City Government of Antipolo. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Best places to visit in Antipolo". Antipolo Star. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Tayo na sa Antipolo: The Festival and The Song". Wow Rizal. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Proclamation No. 330 series of 1952". The Lawphil Project. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Compendium of Philippine Statistics" (PDF). National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Hinulugan Taktak in Philippines". Protected Planet. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  12. ^ Cueto, Francis Earl (16 January 2014). "Rizal Govt, DENR to rehabilitate Hinulugang Taktak". The Manila Times. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Reversing the tragedy of the commons". Business Mirror. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Hinulugang Taktak gets a P100-M makeover - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  15. ^ "Hinulugang Taktak closed due to oil spill". GMA News. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  16. ^ Calleja, Niña. "Lensmen focus on saving Hinulugang Taktak". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  17. ^ "SM Cares Gives Support to Greening of Hinulugang Taktak". SM Cares. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Hinulugang Taktak reopens doors to visitors". Antipolo Star. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  19. ^ Andrade, Nel. "Hinulugang Taktak visit now charged by DENR". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  20. ^ Aurelio, Julie M. (7 July 2018). "Expanded Nipas law creates 94 more nat'l parks across PH". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  21. ^ Christia I. Dela Cruz (13 February 2020). "Antipolo's Hinulugang Taktak Reopens With Exciting Attractions". Spot.ph. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Water Quality Assessment of Sapang Baho River, Cainta, Rizal, Philippines" (PDF). Laguna Lake Development Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Hotels and Resorts". City Government of Antipolo. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Statistics on Philippine Protected Areas and Wildlife Resources". Biodiversity Management Bureau. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  25. ^ "Legal Framework for Protected Areas: Philippines" (PDF). International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
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