To boost Cebu City tourism: Boat cruises on SRP canal

CEBU, Philippines — The water canal that divides Cebu City mainland and the South Road Properties (SRP) may soon become a beautiful tourism attraction offering boat cruises for city tourists.

The proposal came from Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, chairperson of the committee on tourism of the Cebu City Council. In a resolution approved by the council last Wednesday, Pesquera pushed to develop the channel into a tourism site similar to some places she had visited in the Europe.

"The channel between the Cebu mainland and the SRP has a very good potential to be developed for a boat cruise,” Pesquera said.

She urged the barangay officials in the immediate vicinity of the waterway to ensure the cleanliness in the area.

“We need the cooperation of all the coastal barangays especially in cleaning it up," said Pesquera.

Officials of Barangays Inayawan; Cogon, Pardo; Basak, Pardo; Basak, San Nicholas; Duljo-Fatima; and Sawang Calero were asked to promote clean-up operations to make the water channel clean.

The City Council requested the Bantay Dagat Commission to help guard the area to prevent encroachment. Pesquera said the barangays and other stakeholders have very important roles to play to achieve this goal.

"In other countries, waterways are very important and played significant role in terms of transportation of goods and passengers and even in terms of tourism," she said.

"Once the boat cruise will materialize, it will be a big boost to our tourism industry and not to mention the economic benefit will generate for the people in the coastal barangays," Pesquera added.

Coastal management board revived

Meanwhile, the city government has revived its Coastal Management Board (CMB) after several years of hiatus.

CMB chairman Reymarr Hijarra said the body will spearhead a lot of programs for the benefit of the people, especially in the coastal barangays. Hijarra said the CMB was first created in 2003 through the efforts of Mayor Michael Rama, who was then a city councilor.

“Sa giingon ni Mayor, mao nani siya ang pag-revive sa CMB kay sa panahon man gud nga lahi na ang mayor niadtong 2016 kay wala nay activities ang CMB o nahilom gyud siya. Seguro lahi pud tingale ang priorities niadtong higayona," Hijarra said.

The CMB is expected to conduct regular cleanups as well as initiate livelihood programs for residents of coastal areas.

"Pipila sa nakalinya nato nga programa kay ang pagmintinar sa peace and order ug ang pagpaneguro nga makabaton og kaugalingong kasilyas ang naa sa coastal areas aron maseguro ang sanitation," Hijarra added.

During yesterday's CMB re-launching ceremony, Rama shared how he started the clean and green programs of the city. According to him, he started it through different areas at City Hall until it covered the entire city, including the coastal areas.

Rama appealed for the people’s cooperation by ensuring cleanliness in their surroundings. — (FREEMAN)