Tourism development in southern Bacolod pushed

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Former Bacolod Rep. John Orola Jr. is pushing for the tourism development of southern Bacolod—composed of Barangays Punta Taytay, Sum-ag, Cabug, Pahanocoy, Singcang and Tangub.

“Let’s go south!” said Orola who was also the former tourism attache of the Department of Tourism to Japan, Korea and North America.

As chairman of the Bacolod City Tourism Council, Orola said he attended the general assembly of southern Bacolod barangays held in Barangay Punta Taytay recently. It was also attended by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Councilors Cesar Distrito, Em Ang and Sonia Verdeflor.

In his speech, Orola encouraged the southern barangays to work together in identifying and developing their tourism and trade potentials.

He initially recommended the creation of Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ) among these barangays so they can avail of the DOT’s incentives for development. Once the area is registered as TEZ, it can create economic opportunities, livelihood and employment in the area, he said.

While the northern part of Bacolod is getting bullish and congested with economic activities like big department stores, shopping malls, souvenir shops and hotels, the south of Bacolod from Singcang to Sum-ag has been left out, Orola said.

Some of the roads even remain unrepaired and the highways are dark which caused traffic and accidents especially at nighttime, he lamented.

Orola encouraged both the local governments and the private sector in southern Bacolod to come up with a tourism master plan to start development.

For example, Barangay Punta Taytay is now known for its beaches as a favorite weekend destination of residents, and a 20-hectare islet there now features a bird-watching site, he said.

Also, the rivers connecting Brgy. Sum-ag and Brgy. Cabug can be developed for a river cruise or safari activity, while Brgy. Pahanocoy and Brgy. Tangub have mangrove plantations which are beautiful attractions to environmentalists and eco-tourism lovers, Orola added.  (FREEMAN)