Negros Occidental Tourism

The Sagay City governmentand the Negros Occidental government, Second Congressional District,in cooperation with the German Technical Cooperation constructeda two-storey watchtower with a solar equipment, to further strengthen the protection of the Panal Reef recently, a press release from Sagay said.

Officials and stakeholders headed by Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.led the inauguration and blessing of the P3.5 million watchtower,with one of the richest fishing grounds in the country, the Visayan Sea as backdrop.

Marañon urged everyone to make an effort to advocate the protection and conservation oftheseas, the press release said.

He said,“The Visayas was once called the Alaska of the Philippine because of its rich fishing grounds and we should do our part in conserving this God’s creation and ensure its sustainability so that the next generation could this be able to enjoy them.”

Sagay Marine Reserve Protected Area Superintendent, Mayo Antonio Cueva,saidthePanal Reef, a 200-hectare reef,is one of the three fringing reefs of the 32,000 hectare protected seascape ofthe Sagay Marine Reserve.

SMR is one of the largest protected seascapes in the country and has been sought after by scientists, marine biologists, students and researches for its successful marine conservation program, the press release said.

DENR-CENR officer, Andres Untal, said the inauguration of the tower is a significant occasion and signifiedthe continuing support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Fr. Erwin Magnanao officiated at the blessing rites attended bycity administrator Perfecto Marañon,Jezreel Alingco, City Planning Officer Rodnel de los Reyes,Charie Cangque,Accountant Jessie Calizar, Agriculturist Jerelu Ganancial, SagayCityPNP Chief Col. Gabriel Guiterrez,NONESCOSTPresidentDr. Rogelio Artajo, Executive Asst. IV Arthur Christopher Marañon, Atty. Charice Marañon, NNMARC executive director Wally Afuang, Molocaboc Brgy. Captain Antonio Pasaylo, Tiglawigan Brgy. Kagawad Rolando Batusbatusan, personnel of rotected Area Management Board, Sagay Marine Reserve, Bantay Dagat membersand other stakeholders, the press release added.*

From: Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com)

The “Probinsya Ko Libuton Ko” program of the provincial government has been a success, and surveys show that day tourists in towns and cities of Negros Occidental have increased by more than 150 percent, Provincial Tourism Officer, Jennylind Cordero, said yesterday.

Tourism awareness and pride of place has grown, Cordero said.

Considering the well-paved roads and accessibility of Negros Occidental’s destinations, plus accessible flights wherein one can take a fast craft which is just one hour away from Cebu and Panay, a tourist can also fly to Negros in the morning and go home in the evening, plus the long weekend holidays, she said.

Survey shows 840,805 day tourist or excursionist had been reported in 2009 compared to about 323,818 in 2008, Cordero said.

Packages for day tours include visits to beach and mountain resorts, museums, religious places of interest, sugar mill tours, sports events like golf, adventure tours like trekking, cycling, diving, attendance to festivals or simply enjoying Negrense delicacies and cuisine plus shopping, she also said.

The Negros Occidental Tourism Center in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and JICA is now preparing for the conduct of a new mode on survey of tourist arrivals wherein resorts and other accommodation facilities with LGU’s will be trained to have a uniform system of data collection and reporting all over the country, she said.