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Wednesday, November 24, 2004
New Zealand team to arrive for eco-tourism study
By Bong S. Sarmiento
KORONADAL CITY -- An assessment team will arrive in Lake Sebu town early December to determine if the fund allotted by the New Zealand government would be released for the development of eco-tourism sites in the area.
Ali Hadjinasser, interim chief of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Mindanao, said the amount earmarked by the foreign government is lesser than what was published.
Lake Sebu was earlier reported to be receiving $600,000 from New Zealand, but Hadjinasser clarified the amount was only $300,000 (approximately P10.8 million).
"But the release of the amount would depend on the recommendation of the assessment team upon inspection of the various proposed sites," he said in a media forum Tuesday.
The team would visit Lake Sebu from December 1 to 3.
They will also consult various local stakeholders.
If the team's recommendation would be positive, Lake Sebu, a town nestled 700 meters above sea level and considered the undisputed summer capital of South Cotabato, would get $75,000 grant annually for four years.
Hadjinasser said of the seven eco-tourism sites that have been proposed in Mindanao for development, only Lake Sebu was considered for funding by the New Zealand government.
According to him, the New Zealand government, through the New Zealand Assistance for International Development (NZAID), has earmarked a total of $2.4 million for eco-tourism development programs nationwide.
Among the sites being considered in Lake Sebu are the Traankini spring in Barangay Lamhalak, the Seven Falls along Lenon River and the town's various lakes like Sebu, Lahit and Seloton, said Hadjinasser.
Mayor Basilio Salif expressed optimism the town would receive the grant, saying it would coincide with their efforts to promote the locality as a premier eco-tourism hub in Central Mindanao.
"The fund would be a big help for us to achieve this end that would also redound to the constituency as this endeavor would also help generate jobs," he said.
Salif said the development of eco-tourism sites in his town would further spur the locality's economy after the proposed projects' completion since more tourists would be coming to see the improved spots.
The assessment team will be composed of eco-tourism experts from the Department of Tourism, DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and the local tourism consultant of the NZAID.
(November 24, 2004 issue)
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