THE RIVER
The Abatan River is a river in Eastern Bohol, Philippines. The river winds through the towns of Catigbian, Antequera, Balilihan, and Maribojoc to its mouth at Cortes. At its mouth, the river opens up to an estuary, which consists of a mixed mangrove and nipa swamp. It covers about 1,000 acres (400 ha) and has 34 mangrove species growing in its estuary. It is known to be on the Philippines’ most diverse mangrove forests and is the third largest riverine mangrove forest in Bohol.
Abatan is also home to endangered plant and animal species including the mangrove species Camptostemon philippinense (locally known as Gapas-gapas) which is globally endangered and the rarest mangrove species in the Philippines. Abatan River is also an important livelihood resource for 5 municipalities. You can usually observe people fishing or nipa weaving alongside the river.
THE TOUR
The Abatan Community Life Tour is managed by a consortium of stakeholders called, the Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC), aimed at developing the Abatan River as one of the major eco-tourism destinations in the province. The tour was developed with the cooperation of the Bohol Provincial Government, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry and the municipalities of Cortes, Maribojoc, Antequera, Balilihan and Catigbian to generate much needed income for the farmers and fisherfolk who live along the river and to encourage community participation in the conservation, preservation and management of the environment and cultural heritage of the area.
GETTING THERE!
The Abatan Main Village Centre is located at the Highway-Junction, Salvador, Cortes, Bohol, Philippines. The building is at the left side along the highway from Tagbilaran City.
It is approximately 9 kilometer-distance or about 20 minutes travel from Tagbilaran seaport and 45 kilometers or about 1-hour travel from Tubigon seaport.
It is about 45 minutes travel from the new Bohol Panglao International Airport.
Taxis, van for hire, motor for hire (Habal-habal), and tricycle are available. All routes of public utility jeepneys, buses and vans for hire from Tagbilaran City to Cortes, Maribojoc or Tubigon pass through the Abatan Main Village Center.