Provincial government, LGUs working on midwest tourism plans

CEBU, Philippines- In line with their effort to promote Cebu as a tourism hub, the Cebu Provincial Government and local tourism offices concerned are now working on the plan to develop tourism sites and activities in the mid-west part of the province.

Joselito Costas, Capitol consultant for eco-tourism, said there is a need to focus on the tourism development in the mid-west because there are less tourism activities in the area.

Costas made an assessment on the eco-tourism sites in the midwest in July this year.

He reported that the area has potential ecotourism sites that have been untapped for years.

Midwest Cebu is composed of Aloguinsan, Pinamungahan, Toledo City, Balamban, Asturias, Tuburan, and Tabuelan.

All eight towns included in the project are coastal towns and part of the Tañon Strait. Part of Balamban also belongs to the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

Costas cited potential tourism areas in the area such as Mount Manunggal in Balamban, the crash site of the late President Ramon Magsaysay’s presidential plane; the Batawang River in Tabuelan that is “perfect” for kayaking; dolphin-watching activities in Aloguinsan town which will soon to be established; several waterfalls and a sand bar in Pinamungahan; and a huge man-made lake surrounded by mountains in Toledo City. 

Tuburan also has the Molo-Bolo Spring and the picturesque Marmol cliff, while Asturias has a wetland ecosystem named Lake Buswang. The Midwest part of Cebu is also home to protected landscape and seascape- the nestling places of biodiversity.

“Midwest Cebu is potentially the most diverse ecotourism destination in the province,” stated in the report of the Provincial Information Office, quoting Capitol officials who attended a training and workshop among local tourism officers on community-based ecotourism.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who sits as the chairwoman of the Provincial Tourism Council, specifically urged local officials of Aloguinsan town to start developing the area, particularly the Aloguinsan Bojo River Cruise,

“As far as I am concerned, the only successful community-based ecotourism is the Bojo River Cruise. The success of Bojo River is attributable to very good planning, which we would want to replicate in other towns,” she said.

Governor Hilario Davide III also assured that the province will work harder to realize the tourism development in midwest Cebu.  (FREEMAN)