Camiguin Island has reopened its natural monuments and is gung-ho on recovering its pre-pandemic tourism revenues.

The government has now reopened the Mount Timpoong and Mount Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument (MTHHNM), home to 57 bird species, such as the Camiguin Hawk Owl, Camiguin Hanging Parrot and Camiguin Bulbul.

Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Roberto Rufino made the announcement Monday, March 27.

From 2018 to 2019, the MTHHNM was posting modest earnings. "But during the pandemic, our income went down to zero," he noted.

While they have yet to assess the true carrying capacity of the mountains, as of now, they are allowing only 40 hikers per day, Rufino added.

Despite the challenges, their operations have started to normalize after the province reopened its borders.

Reservations to use Camiguin's resort facilities, mostly made by foreigners -- have now increased, the PASu confirmed.

Researchers are also flocking in to study the natural park's varied flora and fauna.

The Camiguin Forest Mouse and the Camiguin Narrow-mouthed Frog inhabit the mountains. Medicinal trees, like Kalingag and Duguan, grow there.

The MTHHNM was proclaimed an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2015.

In addition, it is a watershed for the whole island, serving as the drinking water source of 25 barangays and supplying water for both agricultural and domestic use.

Ultimately, the area is also a conservation priority site.

There are no communities living in its 2,203 hectare protected expanse, PASu Rufino pointed out.

Forest park rangers, called Lawin Patrollers, protect the natural park and monitor illegal activities

Significantly, Camiguin was an island created by volcanic eruptions and has seven volcanoes, of which Mount Hibok-Hibok or Catarman Volcano, is the youngest and most active, while Mt. Timpoong is the highest peak although it has never erupted todate.

The two mountains are main sources of livelihood for the communities in their vicinity.

Locals work as guides and porters for trekkers to Mt. Hibok-Hibok, which is open to the paying public, while Mt. Timpoong attracts mostly researchers and scientists.