EARLIER this month, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Mark Villar has announced the ground-breaking works for the longest bridge of the Philippines connecting Misamis Occidental and Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
It is expected to commence October this year. And just in time, the Commission on Appointments in Congress has voted to put Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as the secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), who has been pronouncing things about reforming the tourism landscape of the country.
Two factors: infrastructure and tourism, that may benefit one humble and yet promising city – Tangub.
Over the weekend, I was invited yet again by the professors of Northern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology (NMSC) to hold a training for their budding campus journalists. It turned out
NMSC will host a number of major regional events this year: Divisions Schools Press Conference and Regional Schools Press Conference, a yearly campus journalism competition set by the Department of Education; and the Mindanao-wide Sports and Socio-Cultural competitions organized by the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Shools; and also Northern Mindanao Athletic Association’s yearly games.
But it was the quick side trips courtesy of the professors’ hospitability, that I was able to take a peek on the developments of the city, although they admitted that the place was laid-back unlike its neighboring city of Ozamiz. We took the ride going towards one of the city’s peaks, which they would call a “Little Baguio” because of its similarly cold temperature once there. The place was once called “Hoyohoy Highland” in Barangay Fertig Hills but was told it was renamed as the “Belvedere.”
Overlooking Tangub, and even Ozamiz City from a distance and Panguil bay, the local government has continued constructing buildings, as local tourists were swarming with their motorcycles albeit the rainy weather that time.
Adjacent from the existing spot, was the ongoing ground works for another attraction called “Gardens of the World” which was recently made a groundbreaking ceremony in June this year. I was also told that a hotel will be put nearby the Belvedere and Gardens of the World, this will be run by NMSC as this could be part of their laboratory hotel for Hotel and Restaurant Services Technology students, and at the same time an income-generating scheme for the school.
All of these were set within Mount Malindang range, which the peak of it has a lake called Duminagat, another go-to destination for mountaineers. Every December, the city would celebrate Christmas season by lighting the main city center with large Christmas trees and other holiday designs, a festivity on its own.
They were optimistic that once the Panguil bridge will be completed, the time travel from other cities like Cagayan de Oro will be shortened, thereby encouraging more tourists to flock and economic investments will be pouring not only in Tangub but also in nearby towns.
Be as it may, it is hoped that the local government already have plans shelved once more developments will be booming Tangub City. Such as the case in tourism, that hopefully as early as now they would come up pre-emptive measures and policies for tourists to follow, to avoid another sad tale of environmental degradation like what happened in Boracay.
The local government and the community should instill – even indoctrinate – tourists and within themselves in preserving the environment despite the future influx of development, as a way of preserving the way of life, and let tourists experience the full beauty of the city.
My sincere thanks to NMSC professors Julie Mar Regis, Jong Requina, and Rodrin Rivera for the warm reception and sharing of the wonderful experience even for a short stay.