Bais City

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About Bais City
Bais got its anme from an elongated eel-like fish that used to abound in the streams and rivers. Legend has it that when a group of Spanish Engineers and Surveyors asked the natives the name of the place, they answered, "Bais", thinking that the foreigners were asking the name of the fish they were catching. Bais was once a barrio of the Municipality of Manjuyod, when the village headman and his followers pledged loyalty to the Alcalde of the municipality. Whwn the Americans put an end to the Spanish regime in the Philippines, Negros, Oriental became a province with the late Demetrio Larena of Bais holding the dictinction as its first governor. In 1901, Bais was recognized as a town. Emelio Teves served as its first Mayor. The City of Bais came into being by virtue of Republic Act No. 5444, otherwise known as the Act Creating the City of Bais. This took effect on September 1, 1968. President Ferdinand E. Marcos personally proclaimed Bais as a city on September 9, 1968.

Bais Dolphin and Whale Watching

Renowned as the cradle of sugar industry in Negros Oriental, Bais City is also popular for its "proximity to (Philippine most) protected marine sanctuary, the Tañon Strait," where dolphins and whales adobe. As one of the world's "biggest concentrations" of cetaceans, the Tañon Strait is the feeding, breeding and resting place of 14 pieces of cetaceans. Species that have been reportedly sighted in the area are spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, melon-headed whales and dwarf sperm whales. Since 1995, the local government unit of Bais City has been utilizing the presence of these marine creatures into an eco-tourism industry. Presently, there are 18 operational boats for rent that are clean, reliable, and comfortable for dolphin and whale watching tour. These boats are available for looking at the Tourism Office of the local government. It is expedient to go dolphin and whale watching early in the morning around 6:oo o'clock and during the months of April-September where there is almost zero wind velocity.

Talabong Mangrove Forest and Birds Sanctuary

Lies east of the Capiñahan wharf, the Talabong Mangrove forest and Bird Sanctuary is the "Largest Remaining Mangrove Forest in the entire island of Negros Oriental". It has an area of approximately 600 hectares, wherein a small fraction is wide sandy shore. the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declared the Talabong Mangrove Forest as "a game refuge, wide life sanctuary, and tourist spot" in 1985. As one of the places to visit in a travel package, the birds sanctuary is ideal, especially during the months of December-February when looking for places the photograph various species of migratory and resident birds. It is also a perfect place to have picnic and enjoy other recreational activities. In 2004, a Sub-Marine Talabong Nursery was established to accommodate seedlings of various mangrove species for reforestation to "key locations around Bais Bay." 150 meters of offshore mooring and concrete walkway in place.
Festivals

Agro-Industrial and Seafood Fair(September 1-7)
One of the highlights of the city's Charter Day Celebration, which has been drawing visitors near and far is the Agro-Industrial and Seafood Fair. It is a gathering of Bais City's entrepreneurial communities from the hinterland to the coastal barangays, showcasing their finest produce. Themed booths of the 35 barangays, schools and rural-based organizations are an attraction in themselves. A big bonus is the display of products at its lowest prices.

Sipong sa Bais Festival(September 7)

"Sipong sa Bais" is one-day gaiety celebrated annually every 7th day of September by Baisanons. It is a colorful and lively portrayal through choreographed street dancing and dance showdown of farmers and fishermen as they expressed gratitude to the patron St.Nicholas of Tolentino, and as well as to celebrate the abundant harvest of agriculture and marine resources. Salawaki and Seafoods Festival(september 1-7). Showcasing the diverseness and the abundance of fishery resources in Bais City and living to its title as the "shelfish basket" in the province of Negros Oriental, is the Salawaki and Seafoods Festivals. Edible sea urchins, locally known as"Salawaki" (Tripneutis Gratilla) are displayed and sold for its fresh "roe" or "uni". Other fishery produce such as squid, tilapia,bangus,danggit,kitong and shellfishes are also sold cooked or raw. This celebration is spearheaded by the City Agriculture Office and the Fisherfolks' Association.

Pasko sa Bais Festival(1st week of december-2 week of january)

Pasko sa Bais has been very popular among local and foreign tourists for the past 40 years.Its starts with the lights-on ceremony with live band and fireworks display. The main attraction is themed gigantic Christmas at the center of the Hermingildo G. Villanueva Ball Field. The festival also features a month-long display of Christmas lights and decores at the Veterans Park,Rizal Park,HGV Ball Field, City Hall, Auditorium and city streets. Children enjoy free train and dolphin carousel rides as well as free icecream and cotton candy.


Getting There
Bais is 43 kms. north of the commercial airport of Dumaguete and 45 kms. from the Dumaguete sea Port. Travel time by land from Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, is less than an hour while travel time by land from the Occidental side (Bacolod City) is four hours (via Mabinay) to 7/8 hours (via San Carlos City)

MANILA - DUMAGUETE By Air:Philippine Airlines (Tel No.:(035) 225-4266; 7:00 A.M and 1:40 P.M.; Tue, Wed and Thur Cebu Pacific (Tel No.:(035) 422-9281; 7:05 A.M. and 2:40 P.M.; Daily By Sea:Negros Navigation (Tel No.: (035) 225-5209; 4:25 P.M.;Daily WG & A (Tel No.:(035) 225-7358; 11:59 A.M.;Every Thur

CEBU - DUMAGUETE By Sea:Cokaliong Shipping Lines (Tel No.:(035) 225-3588; 7:00 A.M; Mon to Sat G&P Lines (Tel No.:(035) 225-2345; 10:00 P.M.;Mon, Thur, Sat and Sun BATO - AMLAN 5:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.Daily; Departure is every after 1 hour LILOAN - SIBULAN 5:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.Daily; Departure is every after 1 hour

DAPITAN - DUMAGUETE By Sea:Ocean Jet (035) 226-1088; 12:20 P.M.; Daily Cokaliong (Tel No.:(035) 225-3588; 4:30 P.M.; Saturday

TAGBILARAN - DUMAGUETE By Sea:Ocean Jet; 8:00 P.M. & 5:45 P.M.; Daily

SIQUIJOR - DUMAGUETE By Sea:Delta Fast Ferry (Tel No.:(035) 225-3128; 5:55 A.M. & 10:15A.M.,12:30 P.M. & 3:00 P.M.; Daily

BACOLOD - BAIS By Land:Ceres Liner; 3:30 A.M. - 10:00 P.M.; Departure is every after 30 minutes; Daily

DUMAGUETE - BAIS By Land:Ceres Liner; 3:30 A.M. - 10:00 P.M.; Departure is every after 15 minutes; Daily Regular Buses; 5:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.; Departure is every after 15 minutes; Daily V-Hire; 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.; Departure is every after 15 minutes; Daily

Dolphin and Whale Watching

TARIFF
GOVERNMENT BOAT

• M\BCA DOLPHIN 1 - 20 Pax - Php 4,000.00 Boat rental and P20.00 Terminal Fee
• M\BCA DOLPHIN 2 - 15 Pax - Php 3,000.00 Boat rental and P15.00 Terminal Fee

PRIVATE BOAT

• M\BCA VIOS - 25 pax - Php 5,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA NICO 3 - 25 pax - Php 5,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA DOLPHIN ADVENTURE - 25pax - Php 5,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA MARIA CRISTY 2 - 20 pax - Php 5,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA ALFER - 20 pax - Php 5,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA QUEEN MARY - 18 pax - Php 5,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA DOLLY - 15 pax - Php 4,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA MARIA CRISTY 1 - 15 pax - Php 4,000.00 boat rental
• M\BCA REBECCA - 10 pax - Php 3,500.00 boat rental
• M\BCA OCEAN ADVENTURE - 10 pax - Php 3,500.00 boat rental
• M\BCA JEMESIAH - 10 pax - Php 3,500.00 boat rental
• M\BCA SR. STO. NIÑO - 10 pax - Php 3,500.00 boat rental

SCHEDULE

• 6:30 A.M. - 7:00 A.M. - Capiñahan wharf, manifesto of passenger registration
• 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M. - Departure from Capiñahan wharf going to Tañon strait
• 8:00 A.M. - 8:30 A.M. - Approaching the dolphins
• 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.- Dolphin Watching
• 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. - Going to Manjuyod Sand Bar
• 11:00 AM. - 2:00 P.M. - Lunch, Swimming at Manjuyod Sand Bar
• 2:00 P.M.; 2:30 P.M. - Visit at Talabong mangrove forest if it is high tide
• 2:30 P.M.; 3:00 P.M. - Heading back to Capiñahan Wharf

ACCOMODATIONS

• La Planta Hotel, Mabini St., Bais City; 402-8321
• Casa Don Julian, Mabini St., Bais City; 402-9457
• Felix Economy Lodge, National Highway, Bais City; 402-8282

DINING

• Fuyma Restaurant, Burgos St.,Bais City; 402-9340
• WONKA Fast food and Restaurant, National Highway, Bais City; 402-3546
• Felix Lechon Manok, National Highway, Bais City; 402-8282
• Jacob's Barbecue House, Cor. Aglipay St.,National Highway, Bais City
• Jag Plaza Inn, Inday Loleng Building, Juan Luna St.,Bais City
• Comeda de Bais, Inday Loleng Building, Juan Luna St.,Bais City
• YJS Restaurant, National Highway, Bais City
• Chad's Restaurant, National Highway, Bais City

Local snacks shacks

• Bais Tocino Country, Upper Mabini St.,Bais City
• Nene's Halo - halo, Juan Luna St.,Bais City
• Birdies Bakeshop, Upper Mabini St.,Bais City
• Julies Bakeshop, National Highway, Bais City
• Jobert's Bakeshop, Upper Mabini St.,Bais City
• Park n' Go Bakeshop, Upper Mabini St.,Bais City