DIMIAO, Bohol, Sept 1 (PIA) – Experiencing a multi-million setback in the National Tax Allocation share in 2022 and another P6 million this year, local government leaders of this town that sits on top of an eco-tourism gold mine, is taking a second hard look at tourism to increase local revenue generation and spur local economic activities.
Then taking tourism but with split priorities for other frontline service concerns, Dimiao now thinks it has to be now, or they’d miss the chance to capitalize on a potential that has remained largely untapped in the last decades.
The recent dive festival opened up our eyes to the great potential of the town, admits mayor Randolph Ang, who in his first term, could barely do something with the government putting up restrictions due to the threatening pandemic and its response.
Now in his second term and the government announcing through President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the resumption of economic activities to facilitate economic recovery, the LGU, which has trudged through the travails of economic depravity and shepherding its people into economic freedom, the mayor and its local officials are now seeing a dawn.
With the helm now in the hands of an executive that has been silently credited to the phenomenal success of one of Bohol’s chain of superstores, Dimiao’s venture into tourism under Mayor Ang and Vice Mayor Gilberto Lagua may be a little belated, but with the reopening of the economy, it could never be off season.
Largely dependent on the National Tax Allocation share, Dimiao lost about P19 million in last year’s share due to the low collection during the pandemic years, something that pushed the chief executive to craft a robust plan to engage in local revenue generation.
“We realized that with the recent dive festival, we could practically set up a local tourism program that top bills out spectacular views, the innate musicality of the people, the beauty and warmth of the Dimiaonons and the way of life that could be an interest to tourists, the mayor shared.
Tourism and information Officer Virgilio Laguitao named the town’s banner eco-tourism sites in its scenic waterfalls, panoramic views from its mountains and highlands, the recently discovered dive spots, verdant farms, heritage structures in its centuries’ old church, the mystical Ermita ruins, heritage arched stone bridges and the unparalleled musically inclined warm people.
After the dive-festival, the mayor said validating divers shared exciting spots in Tangohay and Taongon, two of the key sites included in the international dive festival in June.
Puntod, a dive experience of three huge underwater pillars that rise up from the seafloor, great corral covers and healthy reefs, along with potential sightings of whales, dolphins and huge fish, he shared.
For this, the LGU procured for the buoys that would mark the confines of their dive sites as validated by Panglao team of divers.
This year, the LGU is also into the procurement of a boat that would be the vessel of transport for divers, he added.
Already getting international attention from their gorgeous water falls, Dimiao boasts of Pahangog, Ingkumhan and Dam-agan Falls, the all-hike accessible falls have been a hit among Europeans.
Sitting right in the middle of the town is the marvelous San Nicolas Church with its double towers and parapets, may be another local template of a possible corporate approach at a government venture into revenue generation.
Constructed between 1797 and 1815, the baroque church with Muslim influence, the church’s facade feature a horizontal decorative molding running along the facade, illustrating the base, two levels, and the uppermost section that consists of a gable flanked by double octagonal belfries.
The façade, which can support an interesting architectural study has false arches, engaged Corintian columns, molding and interesting pediments with decorative elements.
The interior is also an entire wonder of a preserved 19th century fixtures including some interesting wall marks that need further studies to discover its use.
A few meters off to the church compound is the Ermita ruins, a honeycombed secondary burial site but still with empty vaults.
Dimiao is also home to the multi-awarded Dimiao Children’s Rondalla, a National Arts and Music Competition for Young Artists champion, the rare easter Hugos tradition and the rustic ambiance of its mountain communities.
With verdant ricefields irrigated by its cascades of sweet water, Dimiao has also started to institutionalize its Pamakwan Festival, something the town holds in the peak of summer’s watermelon season. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
