Abatan River Community Life Tour Project

[pioneer]

By Ven Arigo

There will be sure seed funds for various stages of the Abatan river community life tour project (ARDP) but not to any of the five involved towns that fail to submit river stop-dock designs in earliest possible time.

The first town to submit its design can implement its plan ahead of others, but there should be no duplication of developments that will take place.

Rep. Edgar Chatto, chairman of the tourism committee in Congress, advised the officials of Maribojoc, Cortes, Antequera, Balilihan and Catigbian to finally draw their respective plans because these will be the basis for the inclusion in next year’s budget of the initial money.

Each town in the Abatan River Development Project (ARDP) should establish a river stop, including a docking facility, where its folk can showcase their distinct culture, arts, diverse livelihood crafts, even foods, etcetera to the satisfying delight of cruising tourists aboard floating restaurants.

The First District solon reminded the new officers of the Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC) of the nearing time for Congress’ tackling of the proposed 2008 General Appropriations Act.

Chatto, now in his second term as tourism committee head, himself inducted the new ARDMC officers led by Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas as chairman; Maribojoc Vice Mayor Gabino Redulla, vice chairman; and Balilihan Vice Mayor Dominisio Chatto, keeper of the treasury.

The heads of the development framework committees are Cortes Mayor Apolinaria Balistoy for promotional programs and projects; Antequera Mayor Ma. Cecilia Rebosura, tourism-directed enterprises; Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco, enforcement of environmental laws; Cortes Vice Mayor Rodrigo Uy, wildlife protection; and Antequera Vice Mayor Jose Mario Pahang, formulation of policies and regulations.

The induction was followed by a planning session participated no less by Department of Tourism Central Director for Planning Rolando Cañizar and other technical people sent from Manila by DOT Sec. Ace Durano and Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) General Manager Robert Dean Barbers, both committed to ARDP.

The Bohol Tourism Office head Baby Balio, Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Ma. Elena Arbon, key men from other agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Labor and Employment, non-government and people’s organizations such as the Abatan River Development Association and other stakeholders added inputs.

Strictly not just a tourism seller, the Abatan river project is also a stroke of the so-called convergence strategy emphasized by Gov. Erico Aumentado to help reduce poverty in Bohol.

Chatto cited how the rural communities by the bank of the wide Mekong River in Vietnam benefit from unsophisticated tourism by simply showing what are distinctly theirs.

Also importantly, Chatto said a code should be drafted to serve as the bible of the Abatan river community life tour and to constantly remind that things can remain simple yet showcased in many best ways.

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