Friday, September 12, 2008 Mindanao crisis affects Oro's tourism, investment By Annabelle L. Ricalde
AN OFFICIAL of Promote CDO Foundation said recently that Cagayan de Oro's tourism and investment are affected by the recent atrocities committed by lawless Moro rebels as these had resulted in a US travel advisory against the city.
Ruben Vegafria, president of Promote CDO Foundation and former president of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, said "there's nothing we can do" about the travel advisory because the US government is only after protecting its citizens.
In an interview with Sun.Star, Vegafria said while the travel advisory is not new, other countries like Japan, Australia, and Canada having issues similar ones, still it has a negative effect in one way or another.
Vegafria appealed to government to do something about the situation in Mindanao, particularly the Lanao crisis.
"Gikasakit kana nato kay nakahatag og dili maayo nga image sa dakbayan although we all know nga peaceful ang atong siyudad (We are saddened by it since it is destroying the peaceful image of our city)," said Vegafria.
However, he is optimistic that the advisory is only temporary. As president of Promote CDO Foundation, he is urging the people of Cagayan de Oro to invite visitors to come and disprove the travel advisory of the US.
