Bohol Island Tripping Bohol Island Tripping and Ocular Inspectionand Ocular Inspection

Destinatination:Destinatination:Bansaan IslandBansaan Island

Bansaan IslandBansaan Island

I - GeographyI - Geography

• Bansaan Island is located at Camotes Sea in the mid-Bansaan Island is located at Camotes Sea in the mid-northern coast of the province of Bohol. It is located 7 northern coast of the province of Bohol. It is located 7 kilometers north of Talibon with an approximate kilometers north of Talibon with an approximate geographic position at latitude 10˚12’57” to 10˚13’33” geographic position at latitude 10˚12’57” to 10˚13’33” and longitude 124˚18’33” to 124˚19’53”. It is and longitude 124˚18’33” to 124˚19’53”. It is accessible by pump boat from Talibon on the mainland accessible by pump boat from Talibon on the mainland of Bohol.of Bohol.

TECHNICAL DETAILSTECHNICAL DETAILS(excerpt from the file of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Talibon Bohol)(excerpt from the file of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Talibon Bohol)

II - PhysiographyII - Physiography

Bansaan, a boomerang-shaped island, is composed of Bansaan, a boomerang-shaped island, is composed of raised coral reefs and part of the bigger Calituban reefs, raised coral reefs and part of the bigger Calituban reefs, a group of scattered and low-lying reefal islands located a group of scattered and low-lying reefal islands located off the northwestern coast of Bohol Island. The highest off the northwestern coast of Bohol Island. The highest elevation is 1.5 m above sea level.elevation is 1.5 m above sea level.

III - Rainfall DistributionIII - Rainfall DistributionThe island falls under climatic type IV where rainfall is evenly The island falls under climatic type IV where rainfall is evenly

distributed throughout the year. The highest observed average distributed throughout the year. The highest observed average rainfall based from July 1975 to September 1984 records was rainfall based from July 1975 to September 1984 records was

observed in the month of June (246.30 mm) and the lowest was observed in the month of June (246.30 mm) and the lowest was in April (15.30 mm). The annual average rainfall was 1,136.20 in April (15.30 mm). The annual average rainfall was 1,136.20

mm.mm.

IV - BiodiversityIV - BiodiversityA. FaunaA. Fauna• A total of 24 species of birds including 14 species of A total of 24 species of birds including 14 species of

waders and 10 species of terrestrial birds were identified waders and 10 species of terrestrial birds were identified in Bansaan. The counts made during the visits in February in Bansaan. The counts made during the visits in February and September 1991 confirm the importance of the island and September 1991 confirm the importance of the island as a wintering area and stop over site for the waders as a wintering area and stop over site for the waders during their northward and southward migration. Grey-during their northward and southward migration. Grey-tailed tattlers (tailed tattlers (Heteroscelus brevipesHeteroscelus brevipes), grey plovers ), grey plovers ((Pluvialis squatarolaPluvialis squatarola), whimbrels (), whimbrels (Numenius phaeopusNumenius phaeopus), ), and common redshanks (and common redshanks (Tringa totanusTringa totanus) constitute the ) constitute the largest numbers recorded.largest numbers recorded.

• A total of 35 species of marine mollusks were reported A total of 35 species of marine mollusks were reported including 28 species of gastropods and 7 species of including 28 species of gastropods and 7 species of bivalves. Apparently, all species are edible and are used bivalves. Apparently, all species are edible and are used as raw materials for the shellcraft industry.as raw materials for the shellcraft industry.

• The preliminary entomological survey of Bansaan Island The preliminary entomological survey of Bansaan Island revealed a total of 16 species representing 6 orders and 16 revealed a total of 16 species representing 6 orders and 16 families of insects. Of the 16 species, Order Diptera families of insects. Of the 16 species, Order Diptera comprises the largest number of families. Orders comprises the largest number of families. Orders Lepidoptera and Orthoptera ranked second with 3 families Lepidoptera and Orthoptera ranked second with 3 families each, followed by Order Coleoptera having 2 families and each, followed by Order Coleoptera having 2 families and the last were Orders Homoptera and Hymenoptera with only the last were Orders Homoptera and Hymenoptera with only one family each.one family each.

• Leafminers, leaf bettles, loopers and leaftiers are pests Leafminers, leaf bettles, loopers and leaftiers are pests mangrove trees like; mangrove trees like; Pongamia pinnataPongamia pinnata, , Osbornia octodontaOsbornia octodonta, , Terminalia catappaTerminalia catappa, , Excoecaria agallochaExcoecaria agallocha, , Sonneratia Sonneratia caseolariscaseolaris, and , and Lumnitzera littoreaLumnitzera littorea. Meadow grasshoppers, . Meadow grasshoppers, mole crickets, ants, and long-horned grasshoppers were mole crickets, ants, and long-horned grasshoppers were found attacking some terrestrial plants and grasses.found attacking some terrestrial plants and grasses.

• Some insects were found to be pests to human. These Some insects were found to be pests to human. These include mosquitoes, houseflies, and small dungflies.include mosquitoes, houseflies, and small dungflies.

V - Soil CompositionV - Soil Composition

Beach sand and hydrosol are the Beach sand and hydrosol are the dominant soil types of the island. Both soil dominant soil types of the island. Both soil types are characterized by high pH values types are characterized by high pH values with high amounts of soluble salts and with high amounts of soluble salts and exchangeable sodium which resulted to high exchangeable sodium which resulted to high salinity and electrical conductivity as well as salinity and electrical conductivity as well as base saturation of nearly 100 percents. base saturation of nearly 100 percents. Moreover, it was noted that most of the soils Moreover, it was noted that most of the soils are coarse textured. are coarse textured.

VI - GeologyVI - GeologyThe whole island is composed of white The whole island is composed of white coralline sands derived from the weathering coralline sands derived from the weathering of coral reefs. Based on the paleontological of coral reefs. Based on the paleontological analyses of three (3) selected samples, it analyses of three (3) selected samples, it showed a list of known microfossils showed a list of known microfossils identified as common in nearshore or identified as common in nearshore or shallow environment, typical in coral reef shallow environment, typical in coral reef areas. Geological assessment of the island areas. Geological assessment of the island showed no mineral deposits worthy of showed no mineral deposits worthy of exploitation.exploitation.

Personal ObservationsPersonal Observations::The island is around 25-minute ride by a banca

The island is flat, no cliff part, elevated by The island is flat, no cliff part, elevated by around 6 feet from sea level.around 6 feet from sea level.

Island has supposed to have long white sand beach front but Island has supposed to have long white sand beach front but was planted with mangroves with one of the current owner. was planted with mangroves with one of the current owner. During low tide, 20 meters is shallow (about 3 feet), very During low tide, 20 meters is shallow (about 3 feet), very rocky and planted with seaweeds. rocky and planted with seaweeds.

Inside the island, there is a five-hectare abandoned fishpond, Inside the island, there is a five-hectare abandoned fishpond, along with the white sand.along with the white sand.

Other notes…..Other notes…..• The whole island is owned by three persons, one is Mr. Valentino Aparece who The whole island is owned by three persons, one is Mr. Valentino Aparece who

accompanied us during the visit.accompanied us during the visit.• The only proof of ownership is through Tax Declaration.The only proof of ownership is through Tax Declaration.• There are existing residents of about 20 households, their source of income is planting There are existing residents of about 20 households, their source of income is planting

seaweeds.seaweeds.• There are no source of water in the island, people there uses rainwater and water from There are no source of water in the island, people there uses rainwater and water from

mainland Bohol which is transported through banca. mainland Bohol which is transported through banca. • There is no electricity.There is no electricity.• Only coconut, talisay trees and mangroves and some undistinguished plants survive in Only coconut, talisay trees and mangroves and some undistinguished plants survive in

the island.the island.• There are no wild animals live in the island, only domestic animals like dog, cat and There are no wild animals live in the island, only domestic animals like dog, cat and

chicken.chicken.• The price offered by Mr. Aparece is Php 500 per square meter. Other owner do not The price offered by Mr. Aparece is Php 500 per square meter. Other owner do not

want to sell their part. want to sell their part. • I do not think that island fits your dream island considering the abovementioned I do not think that island fits your dream island considering the abovementioned

hindrances.hindrances.• If you have other concerns, kindly inform me please. If you have other concerns, kindly inform me please.

END OF MY PRELIMINARY REPORT….Thank you!!!END OF MY PRELIMINARY REPORT….Thank you!!!