For Bohol tourism: Earthquake deemed blessing in disguise

CEBU, Philippines - If others perceived that the recent quake would cripple the Bohol tourism, Boholanos think otherwise. What used to be a worst nightmare for them has now turned to be a blessing in disguise for the quake-stricken province. The fault line that has been recently discovered and the sinkholes found in the calamity-hit areas have now been considered as the newest addition to the attractive tourist destinations in Bohol.

Governor Edgar Chatto told the Cebu media that while there is an upsurge of aid coming into the province from different parts of the country and even from abroad, the tourism sector of Bohol is also catching up with the heightened interest of curious visitors to take a look into the fault line and sinkholes which are recently discovered.

It was just last week that the state volcanologists who have been hunting for a hidden fault discovered a new fault system in Barangay Anonang, Inabanga town following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted the Central Visayas last week.

The rock face that measures about three meters high and two kilometers long is found to trigger the powerful quake that hit the region.

According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the fault is unlikely to generate an earthquake stronger than the 7.2-magnitude in the near future since a ground rupture occurs only once in 100 years.

Local residents also discovered sinkholes in areas in Bohol which are known to be lying in limestones after the movement of an offshore fault has been reported.

Although there has been an instability reported in the tourism industry of Bohol at first as tourist visits declined days after the quake, Chatto said that it did not take long for it to recover.

He said that the rock face and sinkholes, which are found to be safe to visit, have the potential to attract more tourists in the province, thus helping revive the tourism industry of Bohol.

He cited that Bohol will now be known as a hub for ecology, culture, arts, heritage, coastal resources, environmental protection, and geosciences.

"Bohol tourist attractions have not been diminished. A lot more exciting things, attractions and opportunities have been added to the province after the quake. It is now a complete package with the inclusion of the geological and geosciences tour around Bohol. This is what the world wants to see. Bohol has its all. It is all in Bohol," Chatto proudly stated.

He said that they are planning to put up viewing sites for geological exploration purposes while tour guides could orient visitors how the fault lines and land masses have emerged.

Also, he said that tourists could also visit the elevated portions found along the coastline of Maribojoc and Loon as there was a new, huge land accretion that was created due to the quake.

Chatto added that the ruins, especially of the centuries-old churches and other natural treasures, are also now considered tourist attractions by themselves.

He said that they are also currently working on the rehabilitation and restoration of the remaining churches.

"We have a lot of things to be thankful for. Bohol is open for business. It has never been closed. Business as usual," he said.

The tourism industry of the province, Chatto said, accounts a contribution of 20 to 25 percent of the Bohol economy. He said that economic production is largely comprised of agricultural output and another good percentage of the remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers.

He said that they are also currently working on the information and communications technology sector.

Although there has not been any calculations yet as to the quantifiable economic impact of the quake, he said that there is a surge in terms of money supply and infusion of capital as more aid is being brought from Cebu and other parts of the country and abroad. /JOB (FREEMAN)