NEGROS Occidental Third District Representative Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez lead the consultative meeting in Talisay City on Friday, December 9, on ecotourism as part of the two-day assessment visit of the Regional Ecotourism Committee-Western Visayas to selected sites in the Third District.
The meet was conducted in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR) and the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) which comprises the Regional EcoTourism Committee (REC).
Local chief executives and tourism officers of the Negros Occidental Third District, tourism stakeholders, and members of the Protected Area Management Board of Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) were among the participants of the meet.
During the consultation, the preservation and development of cultural heritage sites, the establishment of tourism infrastructures, and interventions in the ecological conservation of the Northern Negros Natural Park was tackled.
DOT-Western Visayas Director Chairperson Cristine Mansinares laid out DOT’s priorities and strategies for the next six years.
Among which is the support of the preservation of cultural heritage and the protection of ecotourism sites.
“We will be discussing the potential use of our culture and heritage resources along with the respective plans of the District and LGUs,” Mansinares said.
DENR along with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and Protected Area Superintendent Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya presented the profile and programs of the Northern Negros Natural Park.
Meanwhile, Engineer Jeoffrey Macalalad of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) apprised the body of the system and evaluation process on how local government units can avail of assistance for tourism infrastructure.
In line with efforts for the preservation of Negrense culture and heritage, tourism educator, cultural policy researcher and advocate for heritage conservation in the Philippines Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares of the Asian Institute of Tourism and the University of the Philippines presented the Negros Sugar Heritage Trail Project.
Among the identified historic sites in the Third District are the historical heritage house of Silay City, Hawaiian Philippines Company, in Silay City, the Gen. Aniceto Lacson Mansion in Talisay CityHistorical Landmark, Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City, and the Ishiwata Bath House located at Mambucal Resort in Murcia.
For his part, Benitez expressed hope to create a comprehensive plan for the Third District to achieve its tourism objectives.
“We will try to compile and consolidate an appropriate tourism masterplan for the Third District. Let us dream as much as we can, innovate as thoroughly as we can, and perhaps put together our plans to see a truly sustainable and resilient tourism plan for the Third District,” he said.
In June, Benitez filed House Bill (HB) No. 2129, a bill amending the Cultural Mapping Law to institutionalize LGU-led cultural mapping.
“This bill will make it mandatory for all LGUs to undertake cultural mapping exercises so that LGUs are aware of their heritage and cultural resources,” he said.
The bill seeks to have proper documentation of tangible and intangible cultural assets to promote local tourism and heritage conservation through local education, he also said.
The lawmaker said the new amendments make DOT part and parcel of the planning process for cultural mapping, as well as the Department of Education to ensure that the sense of local pride and heritage is passed on through the local school system.
The bill has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.
The meeting also discussed updates on the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) and the promotion and conservation of Third District ecotourism sites in the area.
Benitez emphasized, too, the need for a sensitive planning horizon that promotes tourism while protecting biodiversity in NNNP.
“We need to stop thinking of the NNNP as an area isolated from development, and understand that development bleeds into the park and benefits that the park provides also bleed into the district,” he said.
Gawahon Eco-Park in Victorias City and Patag-Eco Park in Silay are two prime destinations in the Third District covered by the Northern Negros Natural Park. Cong Kiko continues to raise awareness to maintain biodiversity and promote ecotourism in these areas.
Benitez also filed HB No. 73 or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (Pencas), which when passed into law will take into account the costs of extracting natural resources and utilizing ecosystem services.
“Pencas will allow us to make part and parcel all development plans including tourism, to make ecological services being done by rivers, forest, and coastal zones as part and parcel of the National Economic Development Authority. This measure seeks to balance environmental sustainability and economic development to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations, Benitez said.
“Neda will be tasked to do an accounting system, for what environment degradation will mean for a longer-term sustainable development framework,'' Benitez added.
He also emphasized the interdependence between the environment and development citing the Negrense sugar industry as an example of the blessings nature provides. Implying the need to all the more preserve and protect the environment.
“Do not think of the North Negros Natural Park as disconnected from that of our Sugar industry and sugarcane heritage. We should think of the NNNP as a natural asset and natural heritage that we must protect. To think of the history of the sugar trail is to appreciate that history is parallel in the use of the environment for development,” Benitez further said.
Among those who joined the consultative meeting was NEDA Engr. Alex Aquio, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, Silay Councilor Ryan Gamboa, Victorias Councilor Dino Acuña, Tourism Officers Tess Alvarez of EB Magalona, Renea Ferrer of Talisay and Rica Calseña of Victorias. Also present were Silay Tourism Consultants Ver Pacete and Solo Locsin and Provincial Tourism Office representative Jocelyn Sarnicula. (TDE)