Dupagan Falls: Heart of Eco-Tourism and Community Vitality in La Union’s Highlands- New Destination Alert

Hidden in the serene highlands of Barangay Lon-oy in San Gabriel, La Union, Dupagan Falls is not just a beautiful oasis. Its importance goes beyond its spectacular beauty to the essential function it serves as a key supplier of life-giving water to nearby… villages. The water rushing down the falls amidst unadulterated environment is the life support of more than a thousand families depending upon the spring water of the falls for drinking, cooking, the toilet, and everyday life.

This spectacular waterfall is a symbol of harmony where the beauty of nature coexists with human needs. The natural spring waters of the falls spill off into the the area’s watershed, which is jealously guarded by local residents to be saved for posterity. That the nearby barangays and even the city of San Fernando could benefit from this natural gift is testament to the interlocking of the province’s natural habitat with these economies.

Dupagan Falls is more than just a tourist spot; it is the heart of the highlands, a source of life for the environment, the economy, and the culture of San Gabriel. While the town of San Gabriel pushes itself towards sustainable tourism, Dupagan Falls is a lighthouse of eco-tourism that balances nature, preservation, and community development.

A Model for Sustainable Eco-Tourism

Once known for its fertile soil, the San Gabriel area is becoming a fast-rising fame as an eco-tourism oasis. The place is a land of natural beauty and Dupagan Falls is one of its gems. Together with other attractions such as Palpalaidan Falls and Bakes River, Dupagan Falls is now receiving tourists who are looking for peace of mind and those who want to experience nature at an intimate level.

Local government has made positive efforts to develop sustainable and responsible tourism in the area, which benefits both the tourists and the local people. One of the successful measures has been to enforce an ordinance that every tourist has to be accompanied by a licensed tour guide. This regulation is not only for the safety of the tourists, but also an opportunity for education on the local ecosystem, culture and why environmental resources are important to protect. More than 100 licensed guides have been trained to accompany treks and tours, and they have come to be stewards of the area’s delicate ecosystem, teaching incoming travelers not just to respect it, but to understand the greater implications of tourism, and the urgency of maintaining the environmental balance in the area.

Aside from the guides, San Gabriel also collects a minimal environmental fee of P50 from every visitor. This levy is used to pay for site maintenance, sustainable development and community tourism initiatives thereby making sure that tourism revenue is fed back into the local community. The money maintains the trails and facilities, and funds an array of environmental education programs whose mission is to create an even greater love and respect for the environment among tourists and locals. These initiatives are a testament to [the ASP’s] promise to build a model of tourism that will uplift and respect the environment and the local community.

The Trip To Dupagan Falls: Once In A Lifetime Experience

Getting to Dupagan Falls, is an adventure too. Unlike the majority of tourist spots that are pedestrian-friendly, the journey to the falls allows guests the opportunity to see the terrain in its purest context. The journey, which takes 30 to 40 minutes, isn’t just about the destination; it is the experience along the way. Tourists traverse a hanging bridge, visit a micro-hydro power plant that’s harvested the area’s natural energy and stroll on cool forest trails, each step taken gratified with a greater sense of entrenchment in the land.

The trek ends in a view of the Dupagan Falls and the cascading water can be heard while you smell the scent of the woods — a truly nature experience. It’s an instance where visitors are reminded that this isn’t just a photogenic spot — it’s an actual site of significance, for the local community and for the environment. Says Daryl Dacumos, San Gabriel’s tourism officer: “You don’t just come to swim — you go there to learn, to connect and to appreciate.

It’s more than a pretty sight, but also learning about the underlying meaning of it. “It leads to the very humbling experience,” said Manila visitor Erika Villanueva. “When I discovered that these waters support entire communities, I realized it’s not just a place to go, it’s sacred,” she said. Her feeling sums up what a visit to Dupagan Falls is—a learning experience as well as a visual treat.

Stimulating Environmental Consciousness and Cultural Conservation

At Dupagan Falls you don’t just witness nature. It’s also a chance to appreciate the symbiotic relationship shared between the people, the land, and the travel trade. This consciousness is bolstered by the policies of the local government and by the educational efforts of the tour guides. Visitors are also provided with friendly advice about the area’s ecology, including its watershed system which provides indispensable spring water for the surrounding communities. Tourists depart, not only with photographs, but an understanding of the environmental challenges for local communities and the part they can play in conservation.

As of writing, the Dupagan Falls and its environs are not yet managed by an actual conservation management plan, however, the Environmental and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) of the La Union Provincial Government claimed awareness of its value and is currently aiming to take steps for its sustainable protection in the future. The most prominent of these is the integration of Dupagan Falls with the Bokashi Ball water treatment campaign designed to protect and improve the water quality in the area. This organization is expected to be a key factor in preserving the purity of the water of the falls for future generations of local residents.

Aside from the fact that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources—Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) in La Union is actively supporting the protection of ecosystems in the area. By organizing coastal clean-ups and public awareness campaigns, the DENR-PENRO has worked to create an environmental consciousness, and set the tone for further conservation work in the upland territories of the Northern Central Angat Rainforest, like Dupagan Falls.

Towards a Sustainable Future: Envisioning Long-Term Growth

The development of Dupagan Falls as an eco-tourism attracts opportunities and challenges. Like so much of the growing tending being paid to the falls, the economic bonanza that comes from all of the attention also carries a burden of trying to manage tourism in a manner that preserves the resources that draw people to come see the falls in the first place. With further assistance from the local government, community and responsible tourism, Dupagan Falls would be able to be enjoyed for another generations to come.

While the city of San Gabriel continues to grow, it realizes its natural treasures deserve to be kept and should benefit from eco-tourism. Dupagan Falls, as beautiful as it is and as important it is to the local, can serve as a powerful reminder of how nature and tourism can work together, not just for profit, but for the better good of the environment and its people.

Dupagan Falls is more than just a falls for locals and visitors; it’s a reflection of the deep connection the land has to the people- and the importance of it being respected and looked after. And as more and more learn about this extraordinary place, they are not just visiting, they are joining in a shared obligation to protect it for generations to come.

References: La Union Provincial Government, Environmental Protection and Eco-Tourism Initiatives, 2025, San Gabriel Municipal Government, San Gabriel Tourism and Environmental Policies