To boost CV tourism RDC-7 eyeing upgrades in travel links, restrooms

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council-7 has identified some areas in the tourism industry in Central Visayas that need to be improved this 2015.

RDC-7 said value chain analysis on transport seamless connectivity should be done for easy transfer of travelers from one mode to another (for example: from airport to a fastcraft terminal).

The council also wants to push for clean rest rooms in port passenger terminals, sea vessels and highways to address the common complaint of tourists on sanitation.

The regional planning body also passed a resolution to urge the Mactan Cebu International Airport to put up shuttle services from airport to seaport to enhance seamless transit connectivity. It also wants to have a study on the creation of a cruise ship port in the region.

RDC-7 vice-chair Efren Carreon, in an interview, said the policy-making body initially identified Catagbacan Port in Loon, Bohol as potential site for the terminal but was considering other areas in the region. Carreon is also regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority-7.

He noted the tourism department has a very big role in these priorities with the help of other agencies.

Through a technical working group, NEDA in regions 7, 6 and 8 are also looking at other potential areas for tourism expansion in Visayas and that specific projects will be identified.

“The identification of tourist development destinations or sites is part of the long-term study that we’re conducting together with other regions,” the official said.

He believes the strategic location of Cebu in terms of air travel route will continue to support tourism growth. And with the rising sea routes in Cebu, it is high time to expand its container port, he added.

The completion of the Panglao Airport in Bohol by early part of 2017 and construction of MCIA’s second passenger terminal which the NEDA Board already approved will also give a big boost to the industry, he said.

Power network

With regards to the region’s power transmission network, RDC-7 had also proposed to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines that Bohol would be connected to Cebu, Negros Oriental including Siquijor through a submarine cable. Bohol is currently connected to Leyte.

Siquijor should also be connected as it currently gets electricity from power barges which are expensive.

Projects

In his data presentation, the economic planner also cited major projects in the pipeline for Central Visayas. These include the P2.2-billion construction of Gallares Hospital in Bohol, the P10-billion Cebu international container port expansion, the P17-billion Cebu City-Cordova bridge and upgrading of the Dumaguete City Airport.

The making of feasibility studies for some other projects under the Mega Cebu initiative is on-going and is being funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency, he said.

The regional council also endorsed major proposed projects for funding from the 2015 General Appropriations Act worth P2.6 trillion.

It has set the development administration to cost P209.3 million; social development, P25.3 billion; economic development, P836.1 million; and infrastructure development, P22.4 billion. This sums up to P48.7 billion.

The Department of Budget and Management already released 78 percent of the 2015 national budget to agencies to address projects delays and hasten fund release. (FREEMAN)