DOT chief wants rehabilitation of 18th century old Spanish lighthouse
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph Ace Durano will initiate efforts to rehabilitate the 18th Century old Spanish lighthouse in Sitio Guisi, Barangay Dolores, Nueva Valencia in the island province of Guimaras. At the same time, he wants the community to maintain the "rustic" look of the lighthouse.
Durano said he wants the structure rehabilitated and turn it into a viewing deck to attract more tourists to visit the island. The tourism department will provide funds for the rehabilitation. They will also check with the municipal government of Nueva Valencia on the available plans or details on how to go over with the rehabilitation.
He made his announcement during last Saturday's launching of the Guisi Discovery Quest. The Guisi Discovery Quest offers a package tour of P999 per person with maximum of five person. The travel package gives an opportunity for a visiting tourist to explore the trail of the adventure in the island's heritage site. The tour starts from Sitio Guisi where the ruins of the 18th Century old Spanish lighthouse is found. Tourists can also enjoy mountain hiking, enjoy local food and its cultural presentation.
The 18th century old Spanish lighthouse is one of added attractions in the Guisi Discovery Quest launched by Durano Saturday. Guisi Discovery Quest is a community-based heritage tourism project of the tourism department.
The launching of the Guisi Discovery Quest was made after the tourism department, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources completed its development program for Guisi as community-based tourism project.
Though, Durano wants to rehabilitate the ruins of the 18th century old Spanish lighthouse, he only wants the rugged terrain in going to Guisi scraped. One or two kilometers aways from Guisi must be scraped and it does not have to be cemented. This is to maintain the rustic look of the place, he said.
Durano said Guisi Discovery Quest is one of the tourism projects that benefits the community such as in Donsol for whale watching, Siargao Island for surfing and game fishing on Pilar, a neighboring town of Siargao. Global tourism is now the trend but with emphasis on the preservation of the ecology and environment.
The Guisi Discovery Quest will enable the tourist to experience nature, experience community life and tourism services are provided by the community. Tourists now want to experience community life especially those in Western countries. They are curious on how people in the community live, said Durano.