Visiting Ubay Green Park

Location : Ubay Green Park, Ubay (municipality), Bohol (province), Philippines

Keeping Green
At the outset, I am a conservationist. I'm all for a green planet. I do coastal clean-ups and do my fair share of addressing the garbage issue. But I may not necessarily agree with methods employed by green advocates.

Ubay Green Park
After Sinandigan Boardwalk, I headed straight for the next attraction - Ubay Green Park. Ubay Green Park is a former landfill turned into an eco-park, re-purposing plastic as part of its decor and attraction.

The Ride
The biggest challenge getting there on my bike was still the heat. It was noon and the sun was blistering. It wasn't easy getting to Ubay Green Park. It's tucked-in into Ubay's remote interior with only dirt roads leading to it. There were not enough signs. If not for my Maps.Me app on my smart phone, I wouldn't be able to get there.

Park Setting
Upon arrival, I began to see what they've done. Plastic containers were re-purposed to be used as gardening containers for plants, decor and accents. Old tires were painted over with cartoon images to make it child-appealing. The landfill itself is a tall mound, about 3 stories high where a dirt road leads to its peak - a brutal climb on a bike. The peak has a tall teepee-like center piece and reused old tires making for park benches. It also offers a nice view. At night, it's a lovers' lane.

in front of the former landfill turned eco-park

Ending Thoughts
I really appreciate the LGU's effort in highlighting the garbage issue - other municipalities would not bother. I like the way the old tires were made into park benches. I've seen pictures of wonderful tire-parks where innovative and creative ways to re-purpose tires were implemented. But somehow, I remain ambivalent about their means of addressing the small plastic. Creating a park with its colorful plastic decor instills a feel-good tap on the shoulder but I don't see any re-education or call-to-action to the end-user. These plastics as exposed to the elements deteriorate easily and disintegrate back into the environment. I would rather have them recycled at the outset and re-purpose them for something more pragmatic, like building blocks for much-needed houses.

I would also put the effort in educating people. My frustration in participating a coastal clean-up is knowing that I'm just on a vicious cycle - the trash throwers will continue throwing trash and coastal cleaners will continue to clean up their mess...and the process repeats itself with no end in sight. There is a compelling need to stem the dumping of garbage by educating and penalizing (and if need be) trash throwers.

For the householder (end-users like you and me), I would develop the focus of the park on 5 garbage issues in this particular order, with my own examples:

reduce - I would bring my own container so I can refuse plastic or cups
reuse - if I ever end up with plastic, I won't throw it away when I get home. I would keep reusing it until it falls apart - and then I recycle it
repair - if something is broken, I won't be in a rush to have it replaced. I will see if it can be repaired. For my shoes, I have it glued, re-glued, stitched until it's no longer repairable before I throw it away
repurpose - dismantling so that the useful parts are put into innovative uses, e.g. - for a broken umbrella, I would keep the cover for my yoga mat or beach mat and take the metal parts to make functional S-hooks
recycle - finally, if it's beyond repair, after it has been reused and repurposed, only then would I discard it for recycling

I'm just thinking aloud. I'm not an expert. I just want to share my experience and insight.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

more plastic bottles as decorative adornment

passing by the National Dairy Authority where you can get fresh cow's milk

coming across a small lake close to the main highway

Exploring Cambugsay Healing Hills with Lars Jensen

(Nov 22, 2017) Cambugsay Hills is roughly 20kms from Ubay proper along the main highway going south to Alicia. From the top, it offers a scenic view of the Ilaya Reservoir (Mother Dam). You arrive at the park by the dam and trek it to the hills.....more »»

Next Mountain Biking:

Exploring Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) Island by Bike

(Dec 1, 2017) One km across the waters from Ubay towards Leyte is a small island about 17kms long, named after the Philippine's 8th president, Carlos P. Garcia. No one in Ubay talks about this island. What could possibly be there? It was a slow day in Ubay so I embarked on exploring the island on my bike....more »»

Ubay, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

Camp Karis - area site used for camping, weddings, seminars, training, etc. specialize on christian camping ministry
Ubay Green Park - former dump site turned into an eco-friendly park
Henson Beach - public beach close to the port
Sinandigan Boardwalk - do not go here, the boardwalk is neglected and rotting!
Ubay Stock Farm - breeding farm for native pigs, native chickens, carabaos and other livestock
Cambugsay Hills - also known as Malingin Dam, Mother Dam and Ilaya Reservoir. It's an irrigation dam with a park. The nearby hills are said to be healing

Ubay Travel Info / Tips

Jewel's Nook is the only cafe in town - a/c, serving only espresso P50 but NO WIFI
you can buy Bahalina (aged, decanted and alcoholic coconut sap) at the Public Market for P75/half gallon
there are 2 stores serving good P10 sikwate (native chocolate drink) and P10 puto-maya at the Public Market...just ask around
tricycle ride around the city is only P8/pax
trisikad ride around the city is only P5/pax
laundry is only P25/kilo, minimum of 3 kilos, for pick-up after 2 days
Southern Buses at the Public Market leave Ubay for other parts of Bohol
market day is Monday
Ubay-ubay Festival is the town fiesta held every January 28-30

Ubay to Cebu City by boat (as of July 2017)

M/V J&N Carrier - 10am Monday-Saturday, 12am Sunday
M/V J&N Ferry - 10pm Sunday-Friday, no Saturday trip

Ubay to Leyte by boat (4-5 hours) (as of July 2017)

Ubay to Bato
- M/V Lady of Smile (or Lady of Charity or Lady of Guadalupe) - 1pm daily
- MBCA Star Sirius (or Mama Mary or San Isidro 9) - 8:30am daily
- MBCA Neriboy Allen Rey (or Mama Mary Irvin or San Isidro 5 or San Isidro 6) - 10am daily
Ubay to Hilongos - M/V Leopards Sea Runner or Leopards Adventurer 1, 9am daily