Man Made Forest in Bilar
In the 1960's, a nationwide reforestation program was launched by the Philippine government under then president Diosdado Macapagal. In Bohol, the program was spearheaded by then governor Lino Chatto thousands of Mahogany seedlings were planted on a cleared area of 857 hectares in Bilar and Loboc towns. Fast track to the 21st century, the mahogany seeds planted almost half a century ago has grown into a breathtaking man-made forest.
In your travel from Tagbilaran to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, you'll pass this man-made forest in Bilar town. It's a two-kilometer stretch densely planted with Mahogany trees. When you enter this area, you feel like you are entering another world, one that is refreshing and you can taste and feel the fresh air around you. But this man-made forest is just part of the larger Bohol Forest filled with naturally grown trees of different species and giant ferns lining the road.
Adding to the grandeur of the forest is the road Boholanos call the “tina-i sa manok†(chicken’s intestines) which refers to the winding road up the mountain of Loboc going towards Bilar. Leaving the populated barrios behind, the road up the mountain is steep and on one side, a deep ravine which are all densely forested. The steep and winding road plus the ravine does not hinder the local drivers. They maneuver the road with the agility and speed of experts; a feat acquired thru constant practice.
When you take the Bohol tour, make sure to tell your guide to stop here. When you make your stop here, you'll feel the abrupt change in temperature especially during summer or hot season. The overhanging trees provides a cool breeze even during the summer season. This mountain area seldom sees the sun shine and most often than not, it rains here. Local folks attribute these to the presence of the dense forest.