Prov'l Board commends Medellin for aggressive tourism efforts

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) proposed a resolution commending and expressing support to the programs and projects of the Municipality of Medellin, the venue for today’s second out-of-town session of the PB.

The local government unit has embarked on the development of many sites in the locality, geared towards its attaining recognition as a major tourism destination in Cebu.

The PB believes that it won’t be long for Medellin to earn its niche as a major tourism hub of the province if additional investments are made on infrastructure, support systems and ancillary facilities coupled with aggressive promotion.

“It is, thus, advantageous and worthwhile that the LGU maintains and sustains its initiatives and thrusts centered on tourism,” read the resolution, which is set to be approved on the regular PB session today.

The PB, for the second time, will hold its out-of-town session in Medellin today. The first one was in Aloguinsan last March.

The resolution was authored by PB Member Joven Mondigo, Jr. and is supported by Board Members Sun Shimura and Jose Ribomapil Holganza.

Mondigo believes that aggressive promotion and additional help to the town’s projects focused on tourism will put the municipality in greater limelight.

Currently, there is a marked influx of visitors, both local and foreign, in the town, he said.

“(They are) drawn to area by its attractions and the friendliness of the local folks resulting in the improvement of the local economy and generating jobs,” said Mondigo in his resolution.

In the previous years, residents and visitors considered Medellin as a “bleak and dreary place” and its economy is not the same with other localities. The town was only reliant on its fishing enterprise and sugar industry.

“In quite a short time, the municipality has made a turnaround, a positive transformation,” Mondigo said.

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez has focused on tourism when he assumed office to “reinvent” the image of the town. Efforts are now being done to promote Medellin as the “eco-adventure capital of the north.”

The town opened Hideaway, a beach resort in Barangay Tindog with a 500-meter boardwalk and established the Funtastic Island Resort in Gibitngil Island with a 40-feet high diving board placed on a cliff.

The LGU also established a Tarzan Jump and Zip Line facilities in Barangay Caputatan Norte, as well as a cable car ride which is said to be the first of its kind in the province.

Medellin is also poised to become the “golfing capital” of the province because of a multi-million investment by a Korean company that is building a five-star hotel and international golf course in Barangays Lamitak Sur and Lamintak Norte. The project will add to the existing international golf course in Barangay Dayhagon, the ALA Mercedes Golden Village.

The town also has white sand beaches in Barangays Mahawak and Kawit, and is promoting a cruise through its mangrove forests surrounding the Dagusongan River. — (FREEMAN)