CLARK FREEPORT --- Lubao mayor Esmeralda “Esmie” Pineda and Magalang mayor Maria Lourdes “Malu” Lacson are capitalizing on the tourism potentials of their respective towns.
The two lady mayors relayed their plans during the News @ Hues media forum hosted by the Pampanga Press Club (PPC) and Park Inn by Radisson Clark on Tuesday.
Pineda and Lacson said these are part of their overall governance programs that aims to develop their respective areas as tourism hubs.
Both mayors revealed their respective programs on social services, health, and local tourism.
Pineda said she and her fellow local government officials are now working to fully develop the Bamboo Hub in Lubao town.
Known as the Bamboo Hub and Eco Village, the attraction is located on a six-hectare property in Barangay Santa Catalina in Lubao town.
Unlike other natural eco-parks in the region, the Bamboo Hub is man-made.
The eco-tourism site is managed by the Municipal Government of Lubao.
It has become a favorite tourism destination, attracting families and health buffs because of its covered pathways, bike lanes and fish spa.
Visitors are attracted to the prospects of leisurely strolls under the forest-like canopy under hundreds of bamboos that clumps the line of the eco-park.
Pineda the provincial government is set to desilt the Porac-Gumain River, which is the main river that stretches along Bamboo Hub.
She added that they plan to build a bridge that will connect both sides of the river.
The mayor said she is also planning to establish river cruise programs that will provide cultural and food entertainment for visitors.
Pineda also said that she has been making efforts to support more sampaguita farmers in Lubao town.
The lady mayor said the pandemic had affected the sampaguita industry in the municipality.
She added that this reduced the number of farmers engaging in sampaguita growing by more than half.
“We will be continuing with the Sampaguita Festival and this time we will be looking at more programs to help sampaguita farmers,” Pineda said.
Lacson, for her part, said her administration is looking into the 50-hectare property that was signed into the ownership of the Municipal Government of Magalang by the now defunct Mount Pinatubo Commission as the site of a possible ecotourism.
“We are looking at possible partnerships and studies to develop the area,” Lacson said.
She added that the local government is looking at the eco-tourism potential of the site while addressing the need to protect the area from illegal settlers.
Lacson said Mount Arayat is a tourist spot beautified by the Banal a Bunduk, Dalan ning Krus or Holy Mountain, Way of the Cross located at Orchard Village.
The area is visited every Holy Week by thousands of pilgrims from Pampanga and its nearby provinces, according to Lacson.
She added that capitalizing on the eco-tourism potential of their town will result in more industries and jobs for residents and at the same time protect the natural beauty of the area.
Lacson said the town has a lot to offer in terms of culture and the arts.
The municipality of Magalang received the First Philippine Heritage Awards, a presidential honor for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, she added.
Lacson cited the emerging industries on farm tourism like the propagation of the sweet tamarind that the town has been famous for recently.
The mayor aired support to the sweet tamarind industry as part of the objective of positioning the town as an eco-tourism center.
Magalang is now being recognized as a tourist destination because of its popular restaurants, wellness and recreation centers.
Lacson said the appeal of these industries is anchored on Magalang’s agricultural surroundings.