Initao Forest Park

The Initao–Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape is a protected area in western Misamis Oriental, Philippines. the park includes the limestone forests of the old Initao National Park, locally known as Lasang (Cebuano for "forest"), as well as their adjacent marine waters in the municipalities of Initao and Libertad. Established in 2002, it is home to the Lasang Secret Adventure Park, a theme park which is being promoted by the provincial government as an eco-tourism and corporate events destination. The park is only 27 kilometres southwest of the Laguindingan Airport and 59 kilometres west of the provincial capital Cagayan de Oro.

  
The Lasang Secret Adventure Park is located at Initao, Misamis Oriental and is part of the Initao-Libertad Landscape and Seascape Protected Area.

  
Inside the protected area are the different classes of plants and trees. A 2-3 kilometers trail was constructed to provide a pathway for the tourists. This will at least give convenience as they walked from the start to the end of the trail.

 

  

  
You are allowed to swim in the seascape area and you can do some exciting activities like swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving but if the waves become bigger and stronger, the management prohibits the tourist to swim because the waves might push you towards the rocky shore that the sea shore is composed of sharp coral stones. However, if the sea is clear and calm, it is ideal for snorkeling and free diving. since it is a fish sanctuary, expect 100% fish visibility.  

The sea has different species of corals and wide variety of fish that dominate the underwater scene. Also, one side of the park has a high steep rock used for cliff diving. It is a very dangerous, challenging, and adrenaline-pumping kind of activity, so you should only try it if you are an expert in swimming and diving.
  
 

The National Park is open for everyone. There are some cottages, picnic tables, and gazebos dotted around the place where you can relax and bond with your fellows. You can also set up an overnight camp in the area but you have to ask permission from the authorities. You also have to maintain the cleanliness of the place.

Initao Forest Park is a good place for families, friends, and lovers. It has a relaxing, peaceful, and romantic ambiance hanging in the air. Like a warm canopy, the forest will embrace you and take away your distress. It is the perfect getaway. For the first time, getting lost in this place might just be a good thing!

Biodiversity

The park preserves the last remaining stand of old-growth forests in the province of Misamis Oriental. It is home to century-old trees consisting of talisay gubat (Elacocarpus monecera combretaccae) as well as molave, narra and teak, which serve as a habitat of some rare bird species such as the green imperial pigeon, native dove, emerald dove, serpent-eagle, Philippine megapode, Philippine sparrowhawk, Steere's pitta, Philippine hanging parrot and Little slaty flycatcher. Other species documented in the park include flying lemur, king spider, splitnose bat, monitor lizard, and rare priority species like the Philippine python, Philippine long-tailed macaque and the Philippine tarsier.

Finfish identified in the marine park include the Blacktipped sardine, striped sea catfish, flying fish, red squirrelfish, Australasian snapper, soldierfish, Papuan trevally, lapu-lapu, butterflyfish, wrasse, parrotfish, surgeonfish, Indian mackerel, triggerfish, tree-bar porcupinefish and flounder. -Wikipedia