NEOPHYTE Mayor Ian Gil Mendez of San Miguel town bared that his administration is developing and promoting three main areas for tourism purposes.
He said that Bugang Demo Farm for agri products demonstration (as the name suggests), Masanao Mountain Resort and Langgam Cave for spelunking are being prioritized for tourism.
This town hosts the said-to-be the third largest irrigation dam, Bayongan Dam, in the country, where boating using indigenous materials were first introduced.
This came at the culmination of the recent foundation day celebration of the town. During the day, island town of President Carlos P. Garcia Mayor Fernando “Eping” Estavilla personally played with his basketball team against the San Miguel selection in a friendly competition at the Poblacion covered court.
Also sporting the basket were the PNP team with provincial director Col. Lorenzo Batuan personally playing against the San Miguel selection.
The development and promotion of said areas for tourism drive is apparently to put the town in the tourism radar in the province. It is said that tourism industry in Bohol contributes a whole lot more to the province’s economy.
He said he’s happy that after two years of hiatus due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, the town was able to celebrate its founding day.
In a bid to “forget” for awhile the agony brought about by typhoon Odette, an array of activities had been prepared for a week-long 62nd foundation celebration, but he said focus is given on farming that farmers were recognized and given an opportunity to showcase their produce.
But he admitted that there still are more households destroyed by the typhoon in his turf, which are not rehabilitated yet.
Included in the said celebration was the distribution of CLOAs to 100 beneficiaries, courtesy of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with his father, Atty. Virgilio Mendez, who’s now DAR assistant secretary and other DAR officials.
Mendez and Estavilla distributed rice to lucky beneficiaries in a raffle.
Also, town residents who are board passers were given recognition as thy bring pride to the municipality and medical mission was conducted by friends in medical society from other places, including the eye care wherein free eye glasses were distributed, the mayor said.
The mayor pins hope that by next year more blessings would come their way to celebrate more meaningfully. (rvo)
