The Twin Lakes, Balinsasayao and Danao, Sibulan
The Twin Lakes Natural Park is approximately 8,000 hectares, part of the 133,000-hectare Geothermal Reserve managed by the PNOC. The main features are Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao, contained in adjacent calderas 1,000 meters above sea level and separated by a ridge 20 meters in width. The lakes are completely surrounded by forest and lush vegetation of about 3,462 hectares spread over the Guintabon, Kabalin-an and Guinsayawan mountain ranges which serve as protection dikes to the lakes. The bigger lake Balinsasayao has a surface area of 76.25 hectares, Danao 30 hectares. Depth is approximately 80 meters, with Danao’s water level 10.04 inches higher. Volume of water in both lakes is estimated at 77,600 cubic meters, with no visible outlet. Seepage feeds the geothermal reserves tapped by PNOC. About a kilometer below the access slope to the Twin Lakes is Kabalin-an Pond, a shallow body of fresh water about 2.4 hectares, beside which the Provincial Government has built a visitor’s reception center and parking lot. The banks of Kabalin-an provide refreshing picnic spaces. Discovery of the area is attributed to Don Miguel Patero in 1885. The American missionaries Mr. Bell and Dr. Carson, who had evacuated to the Twin Lakes, called a meeting in the area to unite the guerilla forces during WWII. The
The Twin Lakes are approximately 1 hour by 4-wheel drive or motorbike from Dumaguete City.
