Argao declares 12 sites as tourist destinations

THE municipal council of Argao in southern Cebu has passed an ordinance declaring 12 areas as tourism destinations.

The ordinance was referred to the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) and noted in a regular session on Feb. 22.

The declaration, authored by Councilor Annabelle Almirante-Birondo, regulates the use and development of the 12 sites exclusively for tourism purposes.

These are the Tay-ong Falls, Maanghit Cave, Calobong Cave, and Naked Spring in Barangay Anajao; Kaibo Spring in Barangay Apo; Bodoy Cave in Barangay Balisong; Balay’s Perico Cave, Baclao Falls, and Bala’g Siyaw Cave in Barangay Mabasa; and Tallot Liki Cold Spring, Tiposo Peak, Sombria River and Mangrove Area in Barangay Taloot.

Birondo said the host barangays identified the areas based on their potential to draw tourists.

“One of the priority programs of Argao is to promote its tourism industry, which greatly boosts the economy and quality of life of its constituents,” she said.

Birondo said the declaration will serve as protection over the “natural and unexploited” environments of these areas.

The barangay with a declared tourism site will be included in the tourism zone and will be declared as a mixed-use site.

Under the ordinance, the maintenance and preservation of these sites will be managed and controlled by the respective Barangay Tourism Councils under the supervision of the Argao Tourism Commission.

Any regulatory ordinance that will be passed by the barangay should conform to the standards and policies formulated by the commission, among others.

Furthermore, no physical structure or development shall be undertaken in these areas without coordination and permission from the commission and the municipal engineering office.