First Suroy-Suroy in 2015 travels to southern Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the brunt of tropical cyclones Queenie and Seniang, the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo in southern Cebu will still push through with 12 destinations, announced Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, chairperson of Capitol’s Committee on Tourism and International Affairs.

She said the southern trail is set on January 21 to 23, 2015.

Alcantara town, however, will not be part of the itinerary because its main attraction, the bamboo boardwalk, a zoo-like facility in a mangrove area, was damaged by tropical storm Seniang.

“Only Alcantara ang mi-back out tungod kay ang boardwalk totally damaged gyud. Except for Alcantara nga mi-beg off gyud nga di sa lang sila iapil, (but) all others go,” Magpale said.

Suroy-Suroy Sugbo’s destinations are Carcar City, Barili, Moalboal, Alegria, Malabuyoc, Samboan, Oslob, Santander, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Argao, and Talisay City.

Seniang, which brought massive flooding in some parts of southern Cebu, also caused the Dumlog Bridge in Sibonga to collapse and rendered it impassable, making transportation from and to the southern part of the province a challenge.

“(But) we were also assured by DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) nga temporary steel bridge will be put up soon aron makaagi na ang buses,” Magpale said.

DPWH will install a temporary steel bridge in Barangay Dumlog, which can accommodate vehicles weighing 20 tons. The agency has assured to put the bridge up before the Sinulog Grand Parade next week.

Magpale said only buses that can pass through the steel bridge will be used in the Suroy-Suroy.

The Saliring Bridge in Malabuyoc town, on the other hand, which was also wrecked by tropical depression Queenie in November last year, only has its bailey panels to accommodate light vehicles up to 10 tons.

Magpale said that since the construction of a permanent bridge will not commence just yet, guests would have to disembark before crossing the bridge and boarding the bus on the other side.

“Padayon gihapon ta. The better for you to see the southern part of Cebu, especially eco-tourism ang emphasis karon. Makakita pud unsa na ang inyong kaigsuonang Sugbuanon didto nga naigo intawn sa Seniang,” Magpale said.

The province is accommodating a maximum of 200 guests for the southern trail in 2015, which will focus on eco-tourism and heritage sites. As of yesterday, 80 have booked for a ride.

Package rates for the program range from P7,000 to P14,000.  Magpale explained that the province opted to shorten the destinations of the southern trail so that guests will have more time to enjoy each stop.

Among the new destinations this year are the five-tier Aguinid Falls in Samboan and the Mainit Springs in Malabuyoc. — (FREEMAN)