In Mambajao, Camiguin, hoping to boost local tourism and generate more jobs for its locals, the Local Government of Mambajao is working towards more infrastructure projects in its tourist attractions and local facilities.
Mambajao Municipal Mayor Yñigo Jesus Romualdo said despite the two-year suspension of Camiguin’s tourism industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, essential work in construction continued, which allowed them to renovate and modernize their renowned tourist destinations.
At present, LGU-operated tourist destinations such as the White Island and Katibawasan Falls have already been reopened to the public. Romualdo also said more stores have reopened signaling an improvement in the conditions of the island’s tourism industry.
“Ang mga tourism-related nga mga tindahan, hinay-hinay napud sila’g open. So it shows nga hinay-hinay na gyud ta’g balik sa new normal nato, and hopefully makuha nato’g balik ang [miagi] nato nga pag-lihok sa turismo nga boom gyud kaayo ang Camiguin,”
(More tourism-related stores and establishments are also now slowly opening. So it shows that we are also slowly going towards a new normal, and hopefully we come back to our previous tourism performance wherein Camiguin was booming)
Other tourist attractions, including the Ardent Hot Spring, remain closed for further renovation work, Romualdo said.
LGU Camiguin has also been working on the renovation of the Cong. PPR Sports Complex and the construction of its new gym facility, with an estimated maximum capacity of 7,000 persons. Romualdo says this new facility will effectively allow the municipality to hold various events and invite more people to participate. He added that this would mean more tourists and more job opportunities.
Romualdo also extended his gratitude to Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo for their efforts to bring in more infrastructure projects to the island.
“It’s a very big help sa ato diri sa atong lungsod nga more infrastructure, dugang trabaho, maayo ang kinabuhi sa mga tao (It’s a very big help for us here in our town, that more infrastructure adds more jobs and better quality of life for the people),” Romualdo said. (GDA/PIA-10/Camiguin)
