Promotional campaigns for Olanggo Island is now underway as initiated by the Lapu-Lapu government, however, the problem on ample water supply has yet to be settled for the area to become an alternative investment site for hotels and resorts.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza said despite Olanggo’s huge potential in attracting resort and hotel investments, the island still has to invest on water infrastructure and coastal road networks to maximize its potential.
Radaza said his administration is trying to partner with water solutions firm, to provide desalination, water-recycling technology to investors and residents on the island.
“As of now we don’t have a water supplier in Olanggo island. This is our main problem,” Radaza said.
The island, which is known for its “Bird Sanctuary” attraction, good beaches, and fish sanctuary, is already a stand-alone destination especially for tourists who prefer quite and isolated environment.
Aside from water, transportation access going to the island is also one of the problems being identified as one of the reasons why attractiveness of the island to investors is not taking off.
Via pumpboat transportation, Olanggo island is only 10 minutes away from the main Mactan Island. At present, it is the favorite destination of tourists for island hopping and snorkeling activities.
Radaza added that there is an ongoing study by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), on how to fully develop the island, especially in establishing good water supply infrastructure.
As of now, Radaza said investors are more interested on setting up more resorts, hotels, residential subdivisions within Mactan Island . However, he said his administration is going to promote Olanggo Island as well as soon as proper infrastructure will be in place. – Ehda M. Dagooc