Bangon-Bugtong Falls is located in Barangay San Joaquin, Calbayog City, Samar. Calbayog City also called the “City of Waterfalls” because there are more than 20 waterfalls in the area. One of those is the Bangon-Bugtong Falls. Traveling to this waterfall from Calbayog entails a 1-hour and 15-minute ride to Barangay Tinaplacan, and then a 3-kilometer walk from the highway. You can also opt to ride a habal-habal, a motorcycle with extended seats and an extra shock absorber for passing through rougher terrains and steep mountain roads.

Bangon-Bugtong Falls has an estimated height of 60 meters. It is a system of cascades that you need to walk on to get to the main falls. Like any other waterfall, it has some slippery parts covered with moss so you have to be careful in your ascent. At the topmost part is a circular pond about 30 meters in diameter which is wide enough for swimming and deep enough for diving. The water seems to come from an endless stream and it forms a swirling path as it falls down the rock formations. It is a very refreshing sight!

Bangon-Bugtong is not only a tourist spot but also a potential source of power for Calbayog city and its neighboring localities.

An ordinance was declared the Barangay Tinaplacan-Bangon Falls Junction as “Tourism cum Power Sources” of the City of Calbayog. Included here is the institution of measures for the protection of the road and the environment. Violators shall be penalized.

This city ordinance, which was sponsored by Honorable Susano D. Salurio, also regulates the use of barangay roads such as the Tinambacan-Bangon Falls Junction, by strictly prohibiting vehicles that weigh more than eight tons from passing through said barangay roads. Only light vehicles like multicab and habal-habal are allowed to enter or pass through the said roads if the purpose is to haul agricultural products such as copra, rootcrops, fruits and vegetable. Heavy equipments used for the construction of government projects are exempted.

For the purpose of protecting the source of power for Calbayog City, the ordinance strictly prohibits the cutting of trees of any variety, species and size within the perimeter of Bangon Falls. The ordinance also made it unlawful to conduct slash and burn farming or kaingin, in any part, section or tributaries leading to the fall as these will spell a tremendous effect on the volume of water that may prejudice the source of power (Mini-Hydro) and destroy the beauty of the Falls.

The Barangay Officials of Barangay Tinaplacan, with the assistance of the Philippine National Police, were deputized to supervise and enforce the provision of the Ordinance.

Other destinations

There are also some must-visit destinations near the Bangon-Bugtong Falls like the Guinogo-an and Lungsod Caves in Barangay Longsob. It is a 1-hour drive and less than an hour of hiking. There are more waterfalls in the city like Tabokno Falls in Barangay Caybago, with water that is clean enough to drink; Pan-as Falls with cascades so high that “the falling water becomes mere mist”. A smaller waterfall called Veriato Falls are just a few kilometers far from Bangon-Bugtong. You can ride a habal-habal or walk to get there.

How to get there

By Plane

From Manila to Calbayog City via Philippine Airlines, Airphil Express, Cebu Pacific or Zest Airlines with approximately 2,000php – 2,500php in a way trip. From there, you can hire a tricycle that will bring you to the place, an hour-and-15-minute ride, plus 45 minute walk to the vicinity of the falls.

By Bus

You may ride bus from Metro Manila at the Ali Mall Bus Terminal in Cubao and from different terminals in Pasay City along EDSA they are plying the Luzon-Visayas –Mindanao route that pass through the province. In Calbayog city, you can ride a tricycle that will bring you to San Joaquin and a 45-minute walk to the vicinity of the falls.