Oaminal vows to prioritize tourism industry in MisOcc

As part of efforts to boost the tourism sector, Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal reiterates the importance of further developing existing tourist destinations and developing new ones in the province of Misamis Occidental.(SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)

In order for the province of Misamis Occidental to bounce back, Governor Henry S. Oaminal is looking to boost the tourism industry as part of the province's pandemic recovery.

During his State of Province Address (SOPA), the working governor explained that tourism boosts the revenue of the economy, creates thousands of jobs, develops the infrastructures of the country, and plants a sense of cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens.

"When COVID-19 pandemic hit our country, tourism was one of the industries that was terribly affected as the Philippines closed its territorial borders and implemented quarantine protocols which truly hampered our economic activities. In order for us to bounce back, we have to mark our province a name in the tourism sector in the Philippines,” he said.

Citing his plans for the province, Oaminal emphasized that the goals for tourism in Misamis Occidental are to attract more investors, to provide employment opportunities and to generate revenues.

“Last September 30 to October 2, the provincial government of Misamis Occidental joined the 33rd Philippine Travel Mart in SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, the biggest one-stop Tourism and Travel Trade Exhibition showcasing and promoting quality tourism destinations and properties. Our province excelled in such a way that we were able to promote and market our potential tourist destinations and showcase our very own Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park (AMORAP), dubbed as the “Maldives of Mindanao, which we target to operate next year,” he said.

He announced that the construction of AMORAP has started already with an initial budget allocation of P160 million.

He also shared the Asenso Misamis Occidental Global Gardens and eco-tourism park is also for completion this year and they project a soft opening this December. Moreover, the Migpangi Boulevard and Port Development in Bonifacio will soon become one of the major tourist attractions in the province.

“These tourism infrastructure and Tourism site developments, once fully operational will attract more tourists in our province. More tourists means more livelihood opportunities for our constituents. More jobs means increased financial capability, so on and so forth. Currently, OPTACA is coordinating with tour operations and tour agencies so that we can prepare tour operations and tour agencies so that we can prepare tour packages including hotel accommodation, food, tourist guide, and others,” he discussed.

The tourism promotion board will visit Misamis Occidental on November 9, 2022 to package the tourism destinations.

With the soon completion of the Panguil Bay Bridge project which is the longest bridge in the Philippines, the governor expects more economic developments and more tourists to visit Misamis Occidental as the bridge will provide 24/7 connectivity of the province to the rest of the regions in Mindanao.

Department of Tourism region 10 with regional director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan (back center) with tourism industry sector personnel. (PIA Misamis Occidental)

Oaminal urged the city and municipal mayors to make their respective localities be tourism-ready because he said the tourism industry in the province will catapult to greater heights.

“It is our top priority to recalibrate and boost the tourism sector of the province. This administration aims to market the province as one of the premier tourist destinations in the Philippines. Hence, I anticipate the active participation of every LGU, focusing on tourism infrastructures and enhancing existing tourism sites through continuous collaboration with the provincial government and various stakeholders of the tourism industry sector,” Oaminal said.

Just recently, they conducted the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Gakit parking lot and amenities which will serve as the gateway to Gakit Floating Cottages and Capayas Island in Lopez Jaena.

Oaminal also continue to support other tourism destination such as Cotta Shrine development project and then wellness center of Ozamiz City, Piduan falls and strawberry farm in Don Victoriano, Subanen village in Tudela, Heritage town of Jimenez, Bao-Baon Island in Plaridel, man made lake in Calamba, Caluya Shrine and Floating Cottage in Sapang Dalaga, Guiban falls in Conception and other tourism destinations in the province.

He also underscored the need to ensure that these destinations are accessible through improved tourism infrastructure.

In terms of infrastructure developments, the provincial government has allocated funds for development and construction of multi-purpose halls and roads to towns and cities.

Subsidy to the LGUs from local funds released last August 16 with a total amount of P150,700.000.

He also approved the P120million for the construction of covered courts to various barangays in the province.

Oaminal also shared the 30 million worth of infrastructure projects for district 1 which implementation have just started.

The governor also said he is looking for resources to fund farm-to-market roads with an estimated cost of almost 500million in the province. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)