DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITES
There
is no doubt capital is needed to develop these sites to be at par with
major tourist sites in the country and as such tackled in the succeeding
sections. Once a private developer steps in, there should be not
much of development concerns anymore. Knowing, however, the difficulty of
raising capital and attracting developers/investors, only the bare
essentials are herein presented with the view that the municipal
government or the particular barangay councils would be in charge. This
with the hope that when things get going, selling business opportunities
in the island will not be that much difficult.
Beaches.
It is very important that we have clean beaches. The municipal government
should then promulgate and implement an ordinance prohibiting littering in
the beaches, dumping of wastes in the sea, and stray domestic animals
(especially pigs). We can appeal to schools, barangays and
non-governmental organizations to participate in beach clean-ups.
The
character of a particular beach needs to be defined as attempted in the
brochure. The more character varieties, the better.
Basically,
cottages/kiosks should be put up for excursionists to rent where they may
place their belongings, rest and eat. It need not be too many.
The kiosks may be complemented with foldable beach umbrellas.
It
would be better, though not really necessary depending on the chosen
character of the beach, to make the following available also, for sale or
rent, swimming paraphernalia (goggles, floats, etc.), small sized barotos
(good for two or three), food and drinks, some fishing paraphernalia
(fishing rod, hook and line, baits), beach balls and even hammocks. Under
proper management, these should also serve as sources of income.
Of
course, the beach should be manned, even if the other facilities mentioned
above are not available, if only to ensure that these shelters are not
vandalized.
The
development of beaches should be assigned to the Barangay Councils until
such time private individuals step in. Barangay councils should be
convinced that these would provide opportunities for development, in the
long term if not in the short term. Again, given proper management, this
can be an income-generating project for the Barangay and its people.
A
seminar to expose local leaders and Barangay councils to popular beaches
in the country or the world to help them in the conceptualization, to give
them basic insights on how to manage the beaches to be financially viable,
and to address other major concerns should be conducted. A contest for
outstanding beach improvements should drum up action.
Guyangan
Caves. Here, the municipal government should take the lead. It should
coordinate with the proper government agency, if necessary, to document
the caves. Proper legislation should be made to protect the artifacts and
other remains found in the caves from being taken by visitors or local
townsfolk. Guides, after proper orientation, should be licensed or
accredited and should be responsible also in ensuring that the cave’s
treasures are not taken away.
Fort
San Nicolas. Probably the parish can take care of the documentations and
the preservation, if not restoration, of some structures.
Banton
as a Diving Site. Banton is already advertised in many diving books as one
of the best in the Southeast Asian Region. Only supplemental advertising
is needed. There may be a need though to make some facilities or equipment
available. We do need to maintain the cleanliness of our waters. We
should also consider the diving sites to become marine preserves.
Anyway, fishermen from other islands are the ones benefiting.
Banton
as a Site for Mountain Climbing. Basically, for Banton to gain exposure to
mountaineers, we need tourists themselves to speak about mountain climbing
experience in the island. It should not be a problem though. There are
plenty of mountaineering clubs in the country and they are very visible in
the Internet. These groups are usually youth groups and can easily be
invited to come and write about the experience.
Other
Historical Sites. Basically, what is needed here is the placement of the
landmarks with brief descriptions of its historical or cultural value.
ADDITIONAL
SITES
Nasunogan
Museum. Once the shipbuilding capital of the province, Nasunogan
should be proud of it. A museum about the lansons, batil and other type of
boats built in the area, the art of shipbuilding and voyaging, trade route
exploits and profiles of known Bantoanon seafarers should make an
interesting one. Maybe San Nicolas Lines can help in the funding.
BMPCI
Raffia Production Center. The raffia production center in Brgy. Libtong
can be a tourist destination site at the same time – the skillful
weaving should provide visitors a taste of Bantoanon culture in action.
All it should take are for the workers to wear local outfits, sample
exhibits of finished products, displays of documentations of the weaving
equipment and the process and probably some history, and an accommodating
supervisor more than willing to greet visitors and show them around.
There’s one of the same kind in Davao.
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