P30M marine culture park project sets off in Cordova

CEBU, Philippines - The Korean-led Cordova Cebu Golf and Resort Inc., a joint venture with the municipality of Cordova in Mactan island, is starting its P30 million Marine Culture Park project, that is seen to boost the town's eco-tourism positioning.

In an interview with Cordova Vice Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho, she said that following the construction of buildings by SM, Gaisano Metro, and a 75 hectare IT Park project within the 1,500 hectare Marine Culture Park, other amenities will be opened this year to officially kick off the commercial operation of the park.

The IT Park that will be developed by another Korean investor through Ed View Corporation Philippines, is also expected to drive up employment in the town.

The Park will offer one of the most diverse Experiential Tourism facilities in the province, with the establishment of different activities such as zip line, fishing, and other eco-tourism activities.

This is one of the biggest tourism-revenue related projects, undergone by the Cordova local government unit in partnership with a private investor, said Cho.

Aside from its flagship eco-tourism attraction in Hilotongan, Cho said the municipality is actively pushing for more tourism and revenue-generating projects, to achieve its bid of becoming a city at the same time provide decent and improved lives of the growing 56 thousand residents.

Hilotongan marine sanctuary alone is earning P400 thousand a month, through the town's partnership deal with a private operator.

Currently, the Marine Culture Park is hosting the Tourism Center, which offers souvenir products made by women in the 13 barangays of Cordova.

Considered as one of the preferred havens of Korean nationals, the town is not only attracting Koreans who live in this coastal town, but also gaining strong interest from big-ticket Korean investors and other nationalities.

According to Cho, the upcoming opening of the P17 billion third bridge, that will connect Cordova to southward route point in SRP is likewise seen to boost the town's economic backbone.

Although Cordova is now moving to seize its advantage in tourism, especially in eco-tourism, Cho said the town is not abandoning its thrust to sustain its major livelihood, which is fishing.

She said, simultaneous with Cordova's active stance to attract investments, and tourism generating facilities, the town is constantly strengthening its program to encourage the new generation to continue the fishing livelihood bringing the modern way of doing it.

At present, there are at least 17 big tourism-related establishments in the town, consisting of resorts, specialty restaurants, among others.

Cordova is the smallest municipality in terms of area in the province with only 800 hectare land area. However, the town has over 3,000 hectare reclaimable area that is offered to investors.  (FREEMAN)