Subic emerges as eco-sports haven

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT (PNA) – More than just being a popular travel destination and a sports hot spot in the country today, the Subic Bay Freeport is also emerging as a favorite center for environment-friendly sports activities.

Over the weekend, the Philippine Kayaking Series 2010 kicked off here with the 25-kilometer kayaking marathon from the Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club in Morong, Bataan to this free port.

The marathon, as well as the five-kilometer novice race, was part of the two-day “Kayak Explore Anvaya Cove-Subic Bay” event.

Some 150 paddlers from the Philippines and other Asian countries joined the water sports event that also served as venue in promoting kayaking as a new sports challenge among local residents.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) deputy administrator for business Raul Marcelo described the event as an activity for sports-minded and environment-conscious people who wish to help in protecting the environment and saving planet Earth while indulging in their favorite sports.

“It was not just kayaking per se,” Marcelo said, pointing out that Subic was an ideal location for eco-friendly races like kayaking.

He said that kayaking participants and their friends enjoyed other activities like the eco-tour, mangrove planting, or watching the “Save the Pawikan” presentations that were held at Barangay Sabang, a fishing village in Morong.

Meanwhile, more than 200 motorists aboard 50 vehicles joined the “Just Go! Drive Philippines” tour-caravan in the Subic Freeport.

A project of the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT), the caravan showcased some of the best tourism destinations in the country.

The Subic attractions visited by the caravan included the Bat Kingdom, parts of the Subic Bay Protected Area and the Central Business District, as well as industrial landmarks like Subic’s new container terminals.

Portia Zabala, manager of the SBMA Tourism Department, said that being listed in the itinerary of the DOT project meant that Subic has been considered as one of the best tourism attractions in the country today