An Editorial of the Bohol ChronicleThe way Bohol is besting Boracay at the finish line today rests on our famous "Bohol Countryside Tour." Bohol is known as Boracay's beaches Plus.
This cutting edge must be preserved, nay enhanced, as Bohol battles for prominence as "primus inter pares." First among equals - translated from Latin to English.
Bohol tour "repeaters" - demanding R and R tourists as they already are - are, however, now looking for new finds outside the Chocolate Hills, Panglao beaches, tarsier and the river boat rides.
Being along the Tourist Highway leading to those Hershey-like delights in Carmen, the prime candidates should be the Rajah Sikatuna National Park sweeping through 29 barangays filled with lush vegetation. It should awe and fascinate both as a tourist haven and an environmental jewel.
The seeming conflict that arose between the current manager (DENR) and the NGO of William Granert tapped by the New Zealand funders to get involved in Project (exposed by the Chronicle two weeks ago) at least led to two conclusions.
One, is that the "environment part" of the Park covering six towns is there to be preserved in its awesome biodiversity. The recurring discoveries of more "fauna and flora" in the forests are proof positive, that part of the environmental goal is well served. Two, the very small park often referred to as the Magsaysay Park was finally identified as the place where tourists should be able to enjoy a cleansing, refreshing stopover is in an apparent state of "neglect."
Lets start with monkey cages, dilapidated office, butterfly "doom" and a wasted swimming pool.
It is a pity because without adding any "bricks and mortars," the Park can become part of the Cutting Edge we are referring to. Bird watching, nature trekking and just plain meditation among vast greeneries could be ours for the asking.
It is timely that Rep. Edgar Chatto (House of Representatives Chairman of Tourism) and newcomer Rep Adam Jala (3rd District) did a marathon audit of the "scene of the crime" last Friday and has conferred with the DENR park managers. The Provincial Tourism Council chairman formed a task force among resorts, hotels and tour operators to find rhyme and reason to the neglected park. Just what activities can tourists enjoy in Magsaysay Park immediately?
The August 15 conference to "Save the National Park" among the various public and private sector stakeholders should be a big step in finally making the Magsaysay Park truly an active tourist attraction and a veritable cog of the much-envied and more-praised "Bohol Countryside Tour."
Cutting edge, remember?
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