Amid the tourism department's plant to include the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL) in the eco-tourism circuit, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) came to the open to correct the impression it is a tourist destination.
In a statement furnished to the media, PENR Officer Eduardo Inting explained that "the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape is not intended for mass tourism.
However, for those who love nature and its diverse resources (flora and fauna), it is a perfect choice".
"The benefits it provides to the Boholano people such as the lush forests, fresh air we breathe, the water it provides in our households and many more are for all of us to appreciate and enjoy, such that the protection and development of the protected area is a concern of everyone," Ingking added.
The PENR officer issued the statement to inform the public on the real situation of RSPL in barangay Logarita, Bilar, as a response to the Editorial of the July 22, 2007 issue of the Bohol Chronicle which blamed the environment department for a so-called neglect and what seemed to be poor management on the RSPL.
The editorial's stance is based on what seemed to be a poor tourism factor of RSPL that entails poor return of the tourism highway project of the government and the foreign funding released for the development of the part into a tourism site.
On this, Ingking even frowned on the idea that the Department of Tourism is undertaking project development or marketing of the RSPL so that this will be included in the Eco-Tourism Circuit.
Ingking pointed out that it is "incorrect" to say that a P10-million funding from Australian funding agency has been poured for the RSPL, saying that different activities and facilities supporting tourism are now being implemented by DENR and Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) under the National Eco-Tourism Project II of the New Zealand aid amounting to P2 million.
-- Bohol Sunday Post -- July 29, 2007
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