[ Manila Bulletin Online ] March 23, 2008
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
BUTUAN CITY – Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) is becoming the center of "adventure tourism" in the southern island as more tourism spots are being discovered.
Letty Tan, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DoT) said that local government units are closely coordinating with the tourism department for developing their respective areas as potential tourist spots.
Surigao del Norte congressmen, Reps. Francisco T. Matugas and Jun Romarate, and Surigao del Sur solons Philip Pichay and Francisco Garay, Agusan del Sur’s Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, and Agusan del Norte congressmen Edilmero Amante and Jose Aquino, are also closely coordinating with tourism officials for funding of identified tourism spots in their respective political jurisdictions, along with the local government unit executives, she said.
Just recently, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, also concurrent Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) in Northeastern Mindanao, discovered several tourism destinations in the Caraga region.
He even slashed from the department fund a P2.5-million for Agusan river development projects and another P1.6-million road development and basic facilities around "Magpupungko" lagoon in Pilar, Surigao del Norte.
"Caraga Region has a strong potential and a bright future in tourism industry", said Secretary Durano during his visit in Caraga region.
With the issue of the mining industry that is taking place in the region at present, Durano is still optimistic that with the tourist destinations that are already discovered and still to be discovered in the region, the tourism industry is still one of the factors to be considered in uplifting the economic status of Caraga.
He even encouraged local officials in Surigao del Norte to join hands in exploring the world-famous Siargao Island where international surfing and fishing is located.
He said that Caraga by nature, has a lot to offer in the tourism industry. There are still a number of tourist destinations that our region can be proud of. This is the reason why DoT, in collaboration with the local government units, are developing these tourist sites to gain additional income", Secretary Durano said.
When asked if there are plans for the national government to put up or develop first-class resorts and hotels within the area of the tourist sites in the region, Sec. Durano said that in Caraga, adventure tourism is being promoted.
With this kind of tourism, foreign and local tourists will not look for five-star hotels and resorts or concrete roads. "They love to stay in a nipa hut, as much as they love adventure, as long as there is a toilet and a bathroom for them to use", he added.
Moreover, Durano informed the local media that adventure tourism is set to be launched next month in Germany where Caraga region is included as one of the places to be featured in the package.
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