IPINANUNUKALA ni Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga na ideklara ang Polillo Group of Islands at ang munisipalidad ng Mauban, Quezon bilang national tourism zone.
Sinabi niya na ang mamamayan ng Quezon province ay tiyak na makikinabang sa kanyang panukala, dahil lilikha ito ng kabuhayan at maghihikayat sa mas maraming aktibidad sa kanilang probinsiya.
“Tourism plays a significant role in the social, economical, cultural, and environmental development of the society. It contributes to sustainable development of the country. It creates jobs and opportunity for people to increase their income and improve their living conditions,” ani Enverga, chairman ng House Committee on Agriculture and Food.
“The tourism industry is one of the world’s fastest growing economic sectors and largest employer of country’s manpower,” banggit niya.
Isinulong ni Enverga ang pagpasa ng House Bill 2680 na nagdedeklara sa Polillo Group of Islands, na binubuo ng mga bayan ng Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan at Jomalig; at ng munisipalidad ng Mauban bilang national tourism zone.
“Polillo Main Island, consisting of coastal municipalities of Polillo, Burdeos, and Panukulan are holiday paradise in the Pacific Ocean, has remained largely untouched by tourism to this day. In between these municipalities are various existing and potential beach resorts notably, Treasure Island in Panukulan and Isla Polillo and more than a dozen resorts. Not to mention the famous Balesin Island Resort and the Minasawa Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary an islet where threatened birds live and thrive, “ sinabi niya.
Binanggit niya na sa bayan ng Polillo lamang, 25,000-ektarya ng coral reefs ang matatagpuan.
Sinabi ni Enverga na ang kahit na hindi kasama ang Mauban, Quezon sa Polillo Group of Islands, ito ay isa ring “tourism potential.”
Sikat sa Mauban ang Cagbalete Island, na bantog sa mahaba nitong dalampasigan tuwing low tide.
Ang isla ay matatagpuan sa Lamon Bay, Mauban at madalas na maikukumpara sa Boracay Island sa Aklan.
“This bill seeks to commence the development and promotion of the tourism potentials of the Polillo Group of Islands and Mauban, Quezon by declaring it as a tourism zone. Through this, heightened economic activities will happen and the people will benefit and the development of the islands will be achieved,” ani Enverga.
Inaatasan ng HB 2680 ang Department of Tourism (DoT) sa pakikipagtulungan ng Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) at ng iba pang kaukulang ahensiya ng gobyerno na maghanda ng development plan na kinabibilangan ng pagtatayo, pagkakabit at pagmamantine ng mga naaayong pasilidad at imprastraktura sa grupo ng mga isla.
“The development plan shall ensure the preservation, protection and enhancement of the natural features, historic significance and cultural heritage of the tourism zone, while providing sustainable economic opportunities for the local community,” nakasaad sa panukala.
-Charissa M. Luci-Atienza
