BACOLOD CITY, May 7 (PNA) — Alangilan, a rural barangay in the eastern part of this city with several tourist attractions, has been declared eco-tourism village by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Councilor Archie Baribar, who authored the ordinance for the purpose, said the city will confirm, encourage, develop and support all programs to make suitable portions of Barangay Alangilan an eco-tourism area/destination for constituents of Bacolod, as well as local and international tourists.
Alangilan is fast becoming an eco-tourism destination with the establishment of numerous resorts, including the proposed Metro Safari Resort, in the area. The barangay has also become the gateway to Campuestohan Mountain Resort, which has been making waves as a prime tourism attraction of Bacolod though it belongs to the geographical jurisdiction of Talisay City.
In recognition of the barangay’s eco-tourism potentials, the national government has declared the span from Burgos Corner Lacson Streets to the boundary of Alangilan with Talisay City as a tourism highway and has allocated substantial funds for the purpose.
Baribar said the ordinance does not cover the entire area of the barangay.
The declaration covers only suitable areas traversed by nationally-funded projects designated as tourism highway/roads, areas whose use at the time of passage of the ordinance is already actively tourism-related, destinations already or may later on be considered as potential for eco-tourism areas by the city, and areas so recommended for eco-tourism purposes by the Sangguniang Barangay of Alangilan.
The areas covering 100 meters on both sides of the Tourism Highway from Alangilan, Bacolod City to the Talisay City boundary going east is declared as eco-tourism area.
Areas already active in tourism-related activities include, but are not limited, to City Nature Tree Park, Buro-buro Resort (Montery Park), Dodoy’s Ecological Resort, Perfect Spring Resort, Mount Freeze Haven Resort, and Bucal-Bucal Resort may be declared as eco-tourism sites. Existing gamefowl farms may likewise be considered as eco-tourism destinations.
Baribar pointed out that the declaration as eco-tourism site shall not be construed as reclassification of land until the landowner has properly filed an application to that effect, has complied with all requirements, and has secured the approval of the City Council and/or other pertinent national agencies.(PNA)