Zambo tourism potentials cited

TOURISM Secretary Albert Lim cited the City Government of Zamboanga for prioritizing tourism promotion programs, saying the city has the potential to become at par with other areas in Mindanao.

Lim said the efforts of Mayor Celso Lobergat's administration to invest on park developments will boost the city's campaign to correct the impression that peace and order in Zamboanga is poor.

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Lim was in the city Sunday as he attended the inauguration of the Plaza del Pilar, which is Zamboanga's newest landmark.

The Plaza del Pilar is the first all-in-one pasalubong center in the city and has 56 stalls catering to all types of Zamboanga-made products.

Some of the 56 stalls are also being utilized as offices.

The Plaza del Pilar complements the other existing landmarks: Fort Pilar Shrine, Paseo del Mar and the National Museum.

Lim said the strength of Zamboanga City is its rich and colorful history and culture. He noted the architectural design of the plaza and the other adjacent landmarks, which he said harmonize each other.

Lim promised to help Zamboanga City in its plan to take over the tourism aspect of the Sta. Cruz Island and to rehabilitate the National Museum.

He said a memorandum of agreement and other documents necessary for the turnover of the tourism facility at the Sta. Cruz Island are now being drafted and the project will be realized within this year. (Bong Garcia)