The Balicasag Dive Resort in Balicasag island in Panglao is up for sale along with eight other tourism facilities operated by the Philippine Tourism Authority.
This was announced by Tourism Sec. Joseph Ace Durano who was in Cebu Thursday to award the certificate of entitlement to 20 scholars of the Banilad Center for Professional Development under the Turismo Mismo program of the DOT.
Durano said operating and managing these properties is not the primary mandate of the PTA.
“The policy really is to privatize (ownership of these facilities and properties) through private operations if not sell the property so that PTA can carry out its mandate of building infrastructureâ€. he sad.
“PTA has no capability of managing hotels or resorts because what we have are accountants and engineers, said Durano, who sits as PTA board chairman.
Saying that PTA is subsidizing the operations of these properties, Durano said up to P700 million is given as subsidies to these facilities to keep them afloat.
Of the properties up for sale, the Balicasag resort is one of those not being subsidized since its earnings are enough to support operations but it does not have enough money for capital outlay or for improving and building infrastructure.
He reported that at least three hotel and resort operators are interested to operate the Bal;icasag facility.
Located off Panglao Island in Bohol, the island resort sits in a . 1.5- hectare lot out of its total 25 hectares PTA-owned property.. The island's crystal blue waters provide a clear, vivid view of its corals, fishes and other marine life.
The resort is frequented by divers, foreign and local. It has a dive shop which offers instructions on scuba diving.
Naturally ventilated, native-inspired duplex cottages have private baths. Its cozy restaurant serves local and international cuisine.
Of interest are shells and fresh fish that are sold by the islanders to guests of the resort.
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