CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Construction of the Misamis Oriental Agriculture and Tourism Complex would start on the first quarter of this year, to be financed by the more than P3 million proceeds from a power generator which was shared to the Misamis Oriental provincial government.
The complex would be constructed in Claveria town after the bidding process has been completed, according to provincial tourism officer, Jeffrey Saclot.
The facility would stand in a patch of land where the Flight 387 Memorial Shrine has been constructed in memory of those who perished in the 1998 Cebu Pacific airplane crash on the slopes of Mount Sumagaya in Gingoog City.
Families and friends of those who died in the crash frequent the memorial shrine and not long after, people started visiting the site making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the province.
Saclot said the complex will house a flower farm, camping site, fruit stand, a bridge, coffee shop, function rooms and other amenities, which is expected to attract more visitors to Misamis Oriental.
“This will have a huge impact on local tourism,” said Saclot in an interview Saturday, adding that the memorial shrine alone already drew thousands of tourists.
“Once completed, more people will come to visit it,” he added.
The complex would be funded by the share from the German company, Steag State Power’s profits from its power generation and was given to the provincial government in the amount of P3.54 million.
During the turn-over of the P3.54 million check on Dec. 23 last year, Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano said he would show to the Steag management “that the money that you entrusted to the provincial government would never go to waste. We would implement it properly.”
In a statement, Dr. Carsten Evers, Steag power plant manager, said the fund is part of the P17.8 million that the provincial government has received this year. The money represents its share in the electricity sales of the company pursuant to the ER 1-94 program of the Department of Energy (DOE).
DOE said the ER 1-94 provides for the financial benefits to host communities where the energy provider is located.
“We are happy to be part of the provincial government’s tourism advocacy by using the funds for the development of the Provincial Botanical and Tourism Complex in Claveria,” he said.
About five years ago, Steag provided P6.6 million to the province for the establishment of the Agutayan watch tower in Jasaan town, which serves not only for the marine protection efforts but also for the ecotourism campaign of provincial government.
“We congratulate Gov. Bambi Emano for his leadership that helped position the province as a major tourism and investment destination in Mindanao,” Evers said. (davaotoday.com)
