Stakeholders call for fast implementation of Cebu eco-tourism zone

CEBU, Philippines - As Cebu is pressured to add more tourist attractions, especially eco-tourism activities, tourism advocates are calling on the government to fast track the implementation of the proposed Eco-Tourism Zone of Cebu.

Patria Aurora Roa, Tourism consultant of provincial government’s tourism and international affairs led by  Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, is calling on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources  Protected Area Management Board  to immediately identify the protected sites in Barangay Ga-as in Balamban as the provincial government is supporting the move to make some parts of the area as eco-tourism zone.

Roa, who is also a member of Cebu provincial tourism commission, said that Cebu is in dire  need of  additional attractions, and that eco-tourism related activities and destinations investments are encouraged.

In support of Roa’s call, a group of Cebuano businessmen is reviving its plan to push some part of Ga-as, Balamban in the western part of Cebu to be declared as Eco-Tourism Zone of Cebu.

Led by business leader Edwin Ortiz, who owns the Adventure Cafe at the area, the Ga-as-Manunggal Eco-Tourism Group wants the DENR-PAMB to immediately identify the protected sites in the barangay so they could pursue their plans.

“There are a lot of things we want to do there. But we can not start unless the DENR-PAMB will identify which part is protected,”  said Ortiz who is also a trustee of the Department of Tourism  Promotions Board.

Aside from Ortiz's Adventure Cafe, which offers zipline facility and other adventure activities, the barangay also hosts other adventure related and mountain resort facilities, like the West 35, among others.

According to Ortiz, there are a lot of eco-tourism related activities that can be capitalized on in the Cebu highlands. He mentioned the availability of mini water falls, caves, flower and vegetable plantations.

Now that eco-tourism is part of DOT’s thrust for development, being dubbed as the new agriculture, Ortiz said equal support should be given to concerned agencies like the DENR to encourage the business sector to put in capital for the development of this emerging tourism product in the Philippines.

There are areas in the highlands of Busay going to Balamban which have gigantic potential for eco-tourism developments, however he said some of the lands are still questionable.

The Eco-Tourism Zone of Cebu, if approved,  will make the mountain barangays, specifically in Ga-as much alive, as this will surely attract  both local and international tourists, and  encourage more capitalists to put   businesses there.

Part of the group’s plan is to make an integrated eco-tourism destination within Ga-as and neighboring barangays to provide diverse attractions and activities such as flower plantation picking, fresh vegetable shopping, establishment of pasalubong and antique shops – a total tourism destination that capitalizes on eco-tourism, he said.

“We want farmers in the mountain barangays to earn more, as well as provide other residents with employment and small business opportunities,” Ortiz said.

The Eco-Tourism Zone of Cebu concept was presented by the group  five years ago to the Cebu Provincial government. Although it has gotten favorable interest from the province, Ortiz said approval will depend on DENR’s move to identify the questionable and protected areas.

The Creation of Eco-Tourism Zone is part of the DOT Promotions Board’s  thrust to accelerate the growth of eco-tourism in the country, encouraging capitalists, as well as local government units  to start developing eco-tourism destinations in their respective areas.     

Roa, a former director of DOT-7,   believes  that capitalizing on the rich natural resources of Cebu, not just the beaches, but also natural wealth in the mountains will help sustain Cebu’s leadership in tourism sector in the country. (FREEMAN)