Capiz carves niche in mega tourism map
Roxas City -- The parts of the tourism map that Capiz officials are carving for the province in the emerging Central Philippines Mega Region are gradually falling into place.
The newest addition is the proposed 14-hectare eco-park that will be developed from the existing Nagba Halaran Agro-Forestry Training Center in Barangay Nagba, Cuartero town, situated 38 kilometers from this provincial capital.
The area was established in 1984 during the term of former Gov. Cornelio Villareal, Jr. as part of his development project dubbed Capiz Development Foundation, Inc. (CDFI) that advocated for total human development t hrough an integrated approach and was managed by Nagba Halaran Agro-Forestry Association (NAHFA).
Gov. Vicente Bermejo said the eco-park project jives with the development thrust for Western Visayas that is anchored on tourism with agri-fishery as support sector under the Mega Regions created by President Arroyo.
Bermejo said the President has stressed the importance of the super regions before local officials and how these would spur the country's development
The chief provincial executive has entrusted the project to Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Vincent Fritz Cruz-Am, chair of the SP Committee on Cooperatives and Education, who presented the development plan for the project.
Provincial Tourism Officer Alfonso Bediones, Jr. said the eco-park, which was launched in May of this year, is an additional tourist attraction of the province, which already boasts of Sta. Monica Church in Panay town which has one of the world's biggest bells, Suhot Cave in Dumalag town, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Pilar town, Baybay Beach in this city, and other natural, cultural and man-made ones.
The province and its capital of Roxas City have tourist-oriented festivals to include the Sinadya sa Halaran, which is Capiz's major festival jointly organized by the province and city together with the Church, Diwal Festival of Roxas City, and the festivities of the various municipalities such as the Balintawakan of Pontevedra, Hil-o-Hanay of Sigma, Sto. Niño and Patabang Festivals of Tapaz, Inilusan of Mambusao, Lingga-anay of Panay, Agdahanay of Cuartero, Hil-o Hil-o of Maayon, and Sina-ot of Pres. Roxas.
The major route of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway in the country's western seaboard passes through six municipalities of the province over a stretch of 50 kms. The local government units of Sapian, Mambusao, Sigma, Dao, Cuartero and Dumarao have started sprucing up their towns to offer basic amenities for travelers who opt to take the nautical highway.
The provincial government has allocated some P1 million for the further development of the area.
Bediones said the area, which is nestled on a mountainside situated 2 kms. from the poblacion, will be developed to have an administration building, cottages, hanging bridge, restrooms, parking area and other facilities and amenities needed by tourists and suited for picnic, excursion, and nature-trekking.
He said the eco-park will augur well for the tourism program of the province. He brought along with him Roxas City Tourism Officer Rodolfo Maestro, Jr. so that the latter would know how his office and that of the province could work together to promote local tourism.
The province and city have been pitching for Capiz as a tourism destination during WOW Philippines showcase festivals in Intramuros, Manila, trade fairs, and other regional and national special events in the country.
(PIA-JSC)