CEBU, Philippines - The local government of Alegria, Cebu is now committed to develop its eco-tourism after several tourism stakeholders and even showbiz personalities discovered its potential for having rich in natural resources as its best assets.
During the previous administration of Mayor Raul Guisadio, the municipality has tapped the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Cebu Spelunkers Association and the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation for caving, and the Department of Tourism (DOT) for Community Tour Guides Training.
On September 23, 2011, the municipality will hold a stakeholders forum with Eco-Tourism Guru Boboi Costas being tapped by its Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Jesus Rey “Tetu” Cavalida and Tourism Officer Eric Ybas.
Mayor Emelita Guisadio viewed that this project is a realization towards her administration’s agenda in bringing livelihood to her people - the “MILLET HELPS” Program or “My Intention Lies on Love Empowerment and Transparency for Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace & Order and Social Services.”
“Politically motivated incidents will never affect the people’s enthusiasm to develop ecotourism in the community showcasing the best of nature and culture of the municipality,” Guisadio said.
Located 118 kilometers away from Cebu City, Alegria is a serene rural area with nine huge component barangays.
Last May 2009 actor Richard Guttierrez visited Salay Cave of Malalag, Valencia for the shooting of the GMA-7’s documentary program, the Philippine Planet.
The marine resources also manifest snorkel and scuba diving potentials, as seen when former Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) Executive Director and DOT Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion visited and promoted two of its Marine Protected Areas in Alegria.
Endowed with magnificent reefs, its underwater terrains are geographically connected to that of the Pescadore (Moalboal) and Sunken Islands (Badian).
“With the absence of diveshops, Badian Island Dive Center and other neighboring dive centers frequently conducted scuba diving activities in the MPA’s, the local tourism office at the same time promotes mainly on snorkeling so environment enthusiast tourists may enjoy these reef sites,” Ybas said.
Ybas said that former PCSSD Commissioner Yvette Lee was awed when she saw undisturbed sea fans and gorgons growing gigantically in various colors at the Sea Fan Alley Reef at baranggay Madridejos near the old Villanueva Beach Resort where shore scuba diving is easy.
DOT-7 division head Agnes Toling attested when she saw the fish feeding encounter activity at the Sta. Filomena MPA, a unique form of tourism activity wherein with only P10 entrance fee, one may enjoy fish feeding with bread crumbs at the MPA guardhouse.
Accommodation establishments and restaurants are also found in town. Popular resort is the Costa de Leticia Resort and Spa, equipped with water spa facilities, green solar panels, business suits, function room, restaurant and bar.
Picnic goers can go to low cost resort too like the Batong Malunhaw which has a swimming pool run by the local government. —(FREEMAN)