Mambukal Resort to expand with eco-friendly upgrades

By Dolly Yasa

MURCIA, Negros Occidental – The provincial government is set to implement major developments at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Barangay Minoyan to enhance tourism while protecting the environment.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced Friday that the province is acquiring additional land and facilities to expand the 24-hectare, government-managed resort, which has already grown by 10 hectares and may eventually reach 49 hectares.

“These enhancements are part of our ongoing commitment to providing a top-tier experience for our guests while ensuring the preservation of our natural resources,” Lacson said.

Recent upgrades include a new food court with four concessionaires offering diverse culinary options and complimentary golf cart services for easier access around the resort.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said there are currently four electric golf carts, with two more to be acquired.

Two golf carts will be stationed at the resort entrance for arriving guests, while four others will be deployed at the tourist reception area.

Diaz said more improvements are in progress, including new eco-trails featuring animals endemic to Negros.

“The purchase of additional properties is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of the resort for future generations,” Diaz said.

One trail will lead to the resort’s six waterfalls, while another will extend from Camp Nolan to a newly acquired two-hectare property overlooking Murcia and Bacolod, where new accommodations are planned.

Diaz also announced that endangered species such as the Visayan warty pig and Visayan spotted deer, sourced from the Talarak Foundation, will be introduced in enclosures along the trails as part of an acclimatization program before their release into Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.

He added that sustainability is a key priority, with the province exploring hydropower to meet the resort’s energy needs.

A PHP 10 million grant from the national government’s Green Green Project will help fund trail improvements, Diaz told reporters during a tour of the resort on Friday.

Resort Manager Shiela Fuentes said visitor numbers have surged since the recent upgrades, with weekend attendance doubling from 1,000 to 2,000 guests.

“Our guests really appreciate the improvements, especially the food court and the convenience of the golf carts,” Fuentes said.

“These changes have made the Mambukal experience even more enjoyable.”

Known for its hot sulfur springs, mountain air, and lagoon for kayaking, Mambukal Resort continues to position itself as a premier eco-tourism destination in Negros Occidental.