Friday, March 28, 2008 Key Ozamiz spot to be developed By Ryan Rosauro Correspondent
OZAMIZ CITY -- The local government here is stepping up measures for the development of historic Bukagan Hill as a tourism destination.
Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog Sr. said he is reopening talks with the family owning the area as a precondition for finalizing the proposed destination's development masterplan.
But Parojinog did not reveal the mode by which the local government attains right to use the area -- whether sale, lease or donation.
In the past, the owner-family had already decided to donate the piece of property but called it off after some differences with the previous local government leadership.
Because of the uncertainty of the tenure of the local government's use of the area, the Department of Tourism (DOT) have cancelled an assistance package aimed to develop the Bukagan Hill destination.
Parojinog said Bukagan Hill's development is the next logical step to take to further enhance the city's appeal as northern Mindanao's historical and cultural destination.
Three years ago, the city undertook restoration work on the 250-year stone fort that once served as bastion of Spanish colonial presence in the northwestern Mindanao region.
During those times, Bukagan Hill hosts a lookout post that is a complementary facility to the fort. The hill is overlooking Panguil Bay, which effectively provides good vantage to view oncoming attacks on then Misamis town by anti-Spanish forces.
Development of Bukagan Hill started in the 1960s through a joint effort by civic groups and the local government in constructing atop the hill a tower holding three European-made bells. The civic groups raised funds for the purchase of the bells and construction of tower while the local government carved and paved the road going up.
The bells are rung at every dawn of January 1 to herald the onset of a new year. On a fair weather, the sound of pealing is heard across Panguil Bay. But for almost two decades now, this simple yet significant ritual is no longer practiced. And the tower and bells are in a state of disrepair.
Wanting to arrest this deterioration, Parojinog had sought help from the National Government to revive efforts to develop Bukagan Hill.
He revealed that Senator Richard Gordon had committed funds to help bankroll the project, an initiative that he himself backed while still tourism secretary.
Another attraction, the pipe organ at the Catholic Cathedral, is also set for rehabilitation and restoration.
