by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
Shown (l to r) Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, Nieven Maquirang, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo, Megs S. Lunn, Edwin Ramos and Ernesto T. Solidum.
Kapihan forum on August 4, 2012 at Carmen Hotel discussed, “Implication of Boracay As No. 1 Tourist Destination In The World”. Guests are Ms. Roselle Q. Ruiz, Provincial Tourism Office, Nieven Maquirang, Jettyport Administrator, Caticlan & Cagban, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, OIC Regional Director DOT and Vice Gov. Gabrielle C. Quimpo.
According to Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, arriving at the top is marked by highs and lows. Historically, the crown jewel of Aklan underwent debilitating crisis on environmental issues like choliform, garbage disposal and forest usurpation. Drugs, human trafficking and power outages cropped up but were solved by authorities with the help of stakeholders. It is heaven sent that negative issues are invalidated by natural beauty and attraction of the place.”
Boracay is considered the world’s best tourist destination because of citizen’s attitude and winsome ways. According to Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente, Filipinos are voted third most amiable people in the world next to Russia and Brazil in their ranking order. It is frustrating however, that local farmers has not profited from the tourism bonanza arising from demand of agriculture and fishery products.
Atty. Catalbas mentioned there are 50 international flights per week in Western Visayas. We also ranked No. 3 in as far as hotel rooms and levels of service are concerned. Marketing infra such as airports, seaports and road network is adequate to meet the influx of domestic and foreign tourists. We need to be prudent because majority of our stakeholders are not capacitated. At least, we don’t want our people to be just plain cooks and waiters but entrepreneurs.
Our airline industry lacks an established system of regular connecting flights from international airports to domestic airports. We have expanding international flights from Hongkong, South Korea, Taiwan and other countries but, there is no flight for tourists from Kalibo to Cebu, Palawan, and Cagayan De Oro. There is now flight service for Kalibo–Davao–Kalibo, Catalbas pointed out.
Vice Gov. Quimpo caustions that new title carries big challenge to maintain its lofty position. She noted the gradual rise in tourist volume from 1 million in 2011 and expected to be 1.2 million in 2012. With this upgraded status, Boracay can be deluged with tourists. Hence, the need to regulate in order to mitigate environmental impact and sustain tourism benefits. The provincial government under Governor Carlito S. Marquez enacted vital legislations on Environment and Investment Code which could support high end tourist industry, Vice Gov. Quimpo stressed.
Nieven Maquirang underscored the need to hold tourism summit to address issues and concerns of stakeholders (hotel) and restaurant operators, transport sector, businessmen, food producers, service providers) and government agencies (DOT, LGU, PNP, DOH, DENR, DOTC). It will be best for provincial and municipal tourism offices to be located in conspicuous and accessible places to provide excellent service to the visitors and provide display center for cottage industry products.
September 24 – 30 is declared as “Tourism Week” informed Ms. Roselle Quimpo – Ruiz. The activities during the celebration include motor caravan, funfare, quiz bee, familiarization tour for members of mediamen to tourist sites in Aklan and putting up of exhibit booth in Boracay. The Provincial Tourism Office is happy to announce it has complete inventory of tourist sites and their facilities. Kalibo has a package tour services reported Ms. Ruiz.
Apparently we excel in crafting laws for the purpose of grandstanding. Our provincial ordinance on Gender, Environment and Investment are very impressive yet we forget to enforce them. Compare our case with Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam with minimal statutes but seriously implemented. The result is tremendous benefits in terms of long term socio-economic growth and investments.
A case in point is the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of LGU Malay. CENRO has reported that 150 residential and commercial establishments in Boracay have no Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) which are in violation of various laws, rules, and regulations. Persistent flooding in Balabag occurs because landowners won’t allow construction of drainage canals in their property. A number of business establishments is yet to connect their sewerage to central sewage treatment plant. At least 41 resort and hotel owners are found violating the 30 meter easement from the highest tide line. There is urgent need for strict law enforcement. The Philippines is third in the list of countries vulnerable to climate change according to the UN Universities Institute for Environment and Human Living report.
Multisectoral destinations for tourists in Aklan is a good strategy. However, visits to alternative tourism sites is hampered by accessibility, accommodation facilities and trained personnel. Corollary to tourism, there is immediate need to strengthen agri-based industries in order to meet food demands of tourists and to complement each other. Like the bow and arrow, one is useless without the other. /MP
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