Inabanga RiverInabanga River, in the town of Inabanga, is the largest river in the island of Bohol. It is similar to Loboc River in its beauty. The river is 25 kilometers long and is seven to ten meters deep. It is said to be wider than the Loboc River. There are also tours in Inabanga River. Yet it have not become popular as those in the Loboc River. Yet the existence of a fishing village, the Inabanga Nature Park and Fishing Village slowly attracted tourists to visit the area. Entrance to the fishing village is located at St. Paul the Apostle Church and St. Paul Academy. From there, a tourist can take a ride from a motorized banca and is given a river tour first before being taken to the fishing village. It may take up to five minutes to reach the destination. The Inabanga Nature Park and Fishing Village is also visited by tourists. It is a two-hectare park being operated by the proprietors of the Bohol Beach Club. It has a restaurant that serves fresh seafood and native dishes. The restaurant has a fishpond where guests can catch tilapia and have these cooked. Expansion of the park is already planned to entice more guests to visit the area. This includes a function hall, a campsite, a firing range, and a swimming pool. Another must-see area along the river is the Macaban Cave and underwater cave. The cave’s entrance can be seen just above the water level. The place is also called Macaban City by the local residents of the town. The area was believed to be the abode of supernatural beings or engkantos. HISTORYThe river was infested with crocodiles but was still popular as a bathing resort. Every year, since time beyond recall, a life is always claimed whether through drowning or crocodile attack. The people of Inabanga, being so superstitious, believed that this yearly loss of life is the people’s rental, or abang in the local dialect, for the use of the river. Thus, Inabangan River or rented river became the first name of the said river. However, when the Spaniards arrived, they had difficulty in pronouncing the name. The foreigners shortened the name to Inabanga. The name is still being used today. GETTING THERETo get to the Inabanga River and the Nature Park and Fishing Village, one can take a bus ride or may rent a vehicle for hire from Tagbilaran City. Those coming from the Tubigon port may also get the services of vehicles for hire from the pier or take a bus ride from Tubigon to Inabanga. They can then take a tricycle ride from the bus terminal to the St. Paul the Apostle Church. Motorized bancas are available from the entrance of the fishing village. ABOUT THE TOWNInabanga is located in the northern coast of Bohol at about seventy-one kilometers from the city of Tagbilaran. It composes of 50 progressive barangays. Before the Spaniards arrived, the people called this place Inabangan because of the Inabanga River. The foreigners, having difficulty in pronouncing the name, shortened it to Inabanga. Inabanga is one of the old towns of Bohol. The intrepid Dagohoy, who led a rebellion against Spain, was a native of Inabanga. The people of Inabanga have been known for their warlike nature, but this was true only during the time of revolutions. Nowadays, they are peace-loving and hospitable unless their rights are trodden upon and their anger provoked. The people are industrious and they are engaged in mane occupations: fishing, mat making or weaving, nipa thatches production, and seafood conservation like the salted sisi, litub tagimtim and kaykay. The women are weavers of saguran, mats, blankets, hats, mats, bags and basket. The town is proud of its Inabanga River, being the largest river in Bohol, the Nature Park and other tourist destinations. |
