MARIBOJOC Mayor Leonciao Evasco called Maribocjanons to unite some more in a bid to transform their 5th class town into an economic, social and cultural dragon in Bohol.
“We now have two dragon boats and as you may learn later, we need to paddle together to move forward under the rhythm of the drum and according to the direction of the steerer,” as he addressed the people gathered at the town sports gymnasium and cultural center.
Using the analogy during his State of Governance Address (SOGA) marking his first year in governance, the mayor hinted the town’s tourism potentials as a major investment, as he revealed the town’s receipt of two dragon boats to complement Abatan River Tour.
“Abatan River is envisioned to be the site for Aqua Sports,” he said.
Floating rafts with a spa and coffee shop is already in operations and soon the two dragon boats are to see action in the river, he added.
He said the present efforts concentrate on integrated resource management in community development especially in eco-tourism and in strengthening its socio-economic base.
The town executive shared that the present development plans involve the communities and integrate them with the projects. Over this, he assured that a significant proportion of the benefits would be redistributed at the level of the host community.
”Eco cultural tourism must benefit the local population economically and culturally to provide them incentives to protect the natural resources which create the attractions,” he explained to Maribocjanons gathered at the town gymnasium.
Stating the town’s vision as a socially vibrant, economically efficient and ecologically sustainable community, Evasco said the town’s Executive Legislative Agenda has to be based on multi-stakeholder consultations in its plotting the town roadmap.
Humbly admitting that after a year, with barely enough resources, the administration has barely scratched surface, he pressed that with their dependence on local resources has pushed the administration to go for programs that minimize the adverse effects on the natural environment and enhance the cultural integrity of the local people.
“The main goal is to enable the people to enjoy and learn about the natural, historical and cultural characteristics of the unique environments while preserving the integrity of these sites and stimulating the economic development opportunities in local communities,” he added.
Moreover, the veteran administrator of the country’s largest city before he joined local politics told the people of the cooperation they forged with city academes in master planning for Boloc-boloc Spring.
“Punta Cruz Watch Tower, the town’s most prominent historical heritage site is moving towards becoming a wedding venue, and another city school has agreed to undertake the planning.”
As things are slowly set up, he also bared that promotions and marketing activities have been done in coordination with agencies. (rachiu/PIA)
