LEGAZPI CITY – What’s Albay beyond Mayon?
Taking its lead anew on exploring Albay's natural destinations, the Provincial Tourism Cultural Affair Office (PTCAO), in coordination with the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) spearheaded the first adventure tour beyond the havens of Mayon Volcano.
Dubbed “Albay Adventure Tour on Climate Change 101”, the three-day adventure last April 17-19 in San Miguel, Tabaco City and Cagraray islands, Bacacay has unveiled pristine tourist destinations which are relatively unexploited yet by commercial tourism in Bicol.
"We are trying to explore other tourist destinations aside from Mayon, promote community-based tourism and develop the locally-made products," PTCAO head Jose Briones said.
With participants from different travel tours and agencies, foreigners and Mayon mountaineers, the adventurers trailed the winding road up Mayon Skyline Park in Tabaco City via motorcycles last Friday.
Great heights for zip line, rapelling and wall climbing in Mayon rest house welcomed the tourists with much excitement and thrills.
Albay, as the province known worldwide for Mayon tourist attraction, Briones added: "What else could be seen aside from Mayon Volcano? Our province is very much rich in various kind of tourism and sport activities -- that is why, we are to discover it.
The adventure tour has crossed the captivating islets with fine beaches in Isla Punta, Uson and Sua (villages) in Bacacay that can be the next tourist spots in Albay.
“I didn’t know that there are such a nice place where you can do bicycle here in San Miguel island. I really enjoy and I would like to repeat,” said Lidia Hernandez, a Spaniard tourist who joined the adventure.
According to Dunbar Morales, event coordinator of the tour, that was one of the programs of the government of Albay in order to help the communities establish their own businesses. "We're trying here to advertise those places that may contribute to the locals on generating livelihoods."
"You are bringing the tourists to the makers of the products here, such as banig (mats), cutleries and others souvenirs," he added.
However, the locally-made products “need more improvements especially on merchandising,” said Paul L. So of the Action Holidays Tour Corp.
So suggested that the Karagumoy-made mats should have to be with brands. “Tags like ‘Made in Bacacay, Albay’ so that these products will be known to other places too.”
Climate change awareness
On the other hand, Nong Rangasa, executive director of CIRCA said the event aimed to tap public awareness on climate change while indulging on sports activities at its best with nature.
“We are taking the initiatives on demonstrating climate change mitigation and adaptation for imminent disasters here in Albay,” Rangasa said.
In his presentation on climate change disaster-risk areas, he pointed out the places that could possibly be submerged to floods when the sea level rises up to six meters in the coming years due to global warming.
These include some coastal areas in the six provinces of Bicol – Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Masbate.
CIRCA, with the aid of the United Nations is conducting further researches on areas that are vulnerable to disasters in the different regions in the Philippines.
As part of the Albay in Action on Climate Change (A2C2) program through the initiatives of CIRCA, the activity was its local response on climate change mitigation and advocacy campaigns.
Rangasa added that CIRCA is conducting recent studies on climate-related risks in Albay and other areas in the Philippines, introducing concrete disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation options for the most vulnerable communities in the country.
Participants who came from different travel and tour companies were Action Holidays Tour Corp., Royal Quest Tours, Broadway Travel and Compass Tours.
Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
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