By Boy Ryan Zabal
The mayors of the country’s three major tourist destinations signed an agreement aimed at creating and promoting what they described as a tourism belt that would inter-connect the three municipalities from as far as off Pacific Ocean up to China Sea. This is a major boost to Aklan’s tourism industry, stakeholders believed.
Mayor Ciceron Cawaling of Malay, Aklan, Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and Mayor Mario T. Reyes of Coron, Palawan had signed a tri-town agreement on cooperation in their bid to make their respective municipalities as major contributors not only in the tourism industry but in the overall growth of the country’s economy.
Cawaling has jurisdiction over the world famous Boracay Island, Kwan’s town, on the other hand, prides itself for being called surfers’ paradise mainly because of the huge waves that its seas offer to wind surfers while Reyes’ municipality is famed for its dive sites that feature nine Japanese battle ships that were sunk by American forces during World War II, among others.
The agreement was signed after various government agencies concerned, planners and private stakeholders in the tourism industry identified the three towns as ideal locations for the development of tourism destinations.
Under the plan, local and foreign tourists can now enjoy not only the sights and beautiful sceneries that the three towns are offering but also the other attractions from areas encompassing the tourism belt.
The three municipalities will be the anchor for the development of tourism belt spanning the middle or central stretch of the Philippines from Guiuan in the Pacific passing to Malay, Aklan in the inland seas up to Coron, Palawan, off China sea.
The three parties, although separately, will pursue the development of the tourism belt in a unified manner so that all programs and projects within the context will be mutually beneficial to all.
They will also share data and information on the businesses they intend to pursue even as they will put premium concern on enhancing incendiary industries brought by tourism such as post harvest facilities for the fishing industry as well as agricultural products.
The three municipalities are in discussions with expert planners and business advisors who are exploring the possibility of harnessing their vast potentials through the initiatives of the private sector and supported by the laws governing the local government code.
The herein parties are faced with the same constraints that need to be addressed and hurdled with the help of the private sector.
The parties believed that they will realize the maximum results of their goal if they act and fully cooperate with each other./mp
No comments:
Post a Comment