By the Bohol StandardNight cruises, river bank lightings are signs of wrong perceptions of tourism development?
“Bullish ra ta kaayo, to the point nga napalabian na bitaw.â€
Atty. Esther Gertrude “Gee†Dompor Biliran, a well-traveled lawyer-environmentalist lamented on the alleged narrow-mindedness of local leaders in promoting tourism, an industry considered as Bohol’s major economic driver today.
Her reactions, shared in the dyRD Inyong Alagad radio program heard worldwide thru internet radio dyrdam.com, was in relation to the recent lightning of the
Loboc River which had its ceremonial switch-on last Thursday.
“If these lightings are intended for night cruise, this is too much. Let the river rest,†the lady lawyer said.
Biliran hails from Loboc and her family owns lands, some lots along the river banks of the scenic
Loboc River. They have planted mahogany trees along the banks to prevent erosion and preserve the greenery of the area.
“Trees were cut without even asking permission from the land owners. This destroys the natural beauty and threatens the habitat of wild animals and endangered species,†she said.
She noted that from 1970 when she had their lots titled, there is already about two meters from the original land area that has been eroded.
Constant movement of the water resulting from river cruises hastens erosion. River fish have also vanished while before their caretakers can derive bountiful fish catch in these areas, she added.
“Trees, the wilderness are part of the ecology; we should not touch or alter them.
Dili nato hilabtan kay mao nay natural situation and tourists don’t go there to see the lights but for the river’s natural beauty,†she cautions.
She cited the Grand Canyon, an exceptionally deep, steep-walled canyon in north-western Arizona, United States. The entire canyon is extremely beautiful, containing towering buttes, mesas, and valleys within its main gorge.
The site, together with plateau areas on either side, are preserved as the Grand Canyon National Park, which receives about 4 million visitors a year.
“Kon sa ato pa na, ato na sad gisug-an,†she said.
Dyrd Inyong Alagad anchor Fred Araneta, who also frequently travels to America said, “daghan na sad tindahan kon dinhi pa nas atoâ€, in agreement to the observations of Biliran.
The
Loboc River lighting project was funded by a donation of Fil-Chinese taipan Carlos Chan, who is also the Special Envoy of the Philippines to China.
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