Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Western Cebu towns ready for tourism
APART from its growing industries, western Cebu is positioning itself to become the next favorite tourist destination in the province.
Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) said the towns of Barili and Aloguinsan have strong potentials to lure tourists because of the presence of several natural wonders in the towns.
Garcia said the Provincial Government and the Municipal Government in Barili are in talks to develop Bolok-Bolok Mineral Spring into a spa facility.
“The master plan of the province is to develop it into a spa. Architects have already prepared a concept, (which will be implemented) as soon as possible,” he said in an interview. “Right now, they are looking at who will manage it- the LGU or private sector,” he added.
He said Mantayupan Falls in Barili is also attractive to nature-loving tourists.
Mountain resort
Garcia also said the municipality of Aloguinsan’s uplands has the potential to become a mountain resort or future site of a retirement facility.
He said that Aloguinsan, which was once a “sleepy town,” now has several mid-size pension houses, catering mostly to backpackers.
Also found in Aloguinsan are beach resorts and world-class dive spots, he added.
Garcia said the third district is known more as an agricultural and industrial zone with the presence of companies like Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. and Cebu Power Corp. (CPC) (the consortium of Global Power Corp., Aboitiz Power, Vivant and Formosa that plans to build three new power plants in Sangi) in Toledo City, as well as shipbuilding firm Tsuneishi Heavy Industries in Balamban.
He said the rich and untapped natural resources, like springs, waterfalls and white sandy beaches in the area are relatively unknown.
The third congressional district covers Toledo City and the towns of Barili, Aloguinsan, Pinamungajan, Balamban and Tuburan.
Garcia also said there are plans to develop agricultural tourism in the third district by establishing in Barili a plant and livestock facility that tourists can visit.
“There is a lot of demand from people who want to buy agricultural products there,” he said.
Garcia believes it is high time for investors to now begin looking for business opportunities in the third district, especially since LGUs — together with the Provincial and National Governments — have started to fast-track infrastructure projects to lure economic activities related to tourism, industrial, education and agriculture.
He said the government has allotted some P120 million for road cementing and asphalting, and about P21 million to develop water systems, among others.
“If we complete the Barili-Aloguinsan stretch, it will improve access to western Cebu and many industries will benefit.” (MMM)
