Frasco: Apart from P. Galera, Mindoro has more attractions
AMID concerns on water quality in certain areas of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco urged tourists to explore other attractions in the island apart from swimming and water sports. Meanwhile, advocates, supporters, and other sectoral representatives have joined residents within the Verde Island Passage (VIP) in Batangas and formed a human boom in observance of Earth Day, seeking justice over the oil spill that has poisoned the sea waters around the island.
Frasco noted that while the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) advised against consumption of water in some areas of Puerto Galera, the DOH in a subsequent announcement, advised travelers to temporarily avoid recreational seaborne activities in areas affected by the oil spill.
“We wish to highlight the plethora of offerings that this beautiful town and province has to offer, particularly to nature lovers and adventure seekers. Paramount of course is the safety of tourists while giving importance to the need to balance the life and livelihood of the people,” Frasco said.
She said tourists could go climb Mt. Malasimbo or enjoy the scenic Tamaraw waterfalls and other attractions in the area, including the Galera Mangrove Conservation and Ecotourism Area, and the Iraya Mangyan Village.
There are other cities and municipalities in Oriental Mindoro that also have a wide range of tourism offerings. Tourists can explore the riverside and go on picnic at the Infinity Farm in Baco which just takes an hour land travel from Puerto Galera, or go on a food crawl in Calapan City or visit sites such as the Silonay Mangrove Conservation Ecopark and Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, Frasco said.
Visitors were also encouraged to go walking, biking, or jogging around Naujan Lake; trek to Talon Falls, or see the famed heritage houses in Pola; and go on a culinary tour in Pinamalayan.
The DOT, Frasco said, adheres to the recommendations of the DENR and the DOH with respect to tourism activities that should be allowed in the island given the current oil spill event.
The DOT, she added, is ready to assist affected tourism workers and front-liners should the destination be closed or tourism activities be suspended.
“In addressing the needs of tourism stakeholders, we look not only at the primary tourism enterprises but also the secondary enterprises as well as the entire tourism value chain involved including all of the informal and indirect employment generated in the areas like the vendors, for instance, the boat men, the pasalubong makers, the dive shops, divers, among others,” Frasco said.
The DOT provides training and livelihood programs, as well as other forms of assistance in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to equip qualified beneficiaries with alternative means of livelihood as tourismrelated activities continue to be affected by the oil spill crisis in the province.