THE Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) has approved a project aimed at protecting a critical watershed, as well as boosting visitor arrivals in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Tieza Chief Operating Officer Dr. Mark T. Lapid told the BusinessMirror he recently visited Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo to officially inform her that the Tieza Board has approved her P350-million request to fund the development of the 25-hectare Mt. Isarog National Park.
‘We are already preparing the bid documents for the project,’ he said, which is ‘necessary to protect a critical watershed, while enabling sustainable economic growth for Naga City and its surrounding communities.’
While the vital project was proposed by Robredo for 2027 Tieza funding, Lapid said it needs to be fast-tracked ‘before our funds run out.’
Lawmakers continue to push the removal of the travel tax, without identifying alternative funding sources to aid the development of tourism destinations.
Ecological stability in Bicol
AS per the Tieza project brief, Mt. Isarog serves as a ‘primary source of water and ecological stability in the Bicol Peninsula [and thus,] plays a vital role in sustaining agriculture, domestic water supply, and biodiversity.
The absence of proper infrastructure and management mechanisms exposes the area to environmental degradation caused by unregulated access and informal activities.’
Tieza added, ‘The proposed development addresses these concerns through the provision of controlled access, visitor facilities, and environmental protection measures, ensuring that tourism activities are conducted in a sustainable and regulated manner.’
Under the project, the scope of work includes the provision of Forest Park administrative office and pre-park amenities; camping grounds, lodges, and spa; the repair of existing facilities; installation of wildlife conservatories; waterfalls development; canopy walks and trails; landscaping; and hauling works; among others.
In May, Robredo unveiled a new tourism brand for the city, with the slogan: ‘Naga is the heart,’ identifying it as the gateway to Bicol Region. No updated figures have been made available, but in 2022, Naga City attracted some 2.2 million tourists, of which, 2.13 million were domestic travelers, and 57,522 were foreigners.
She has also met with industry leaders to secure their inputs on how to improve tourism in the city.
‘No construction of big structures’
MEANWHILE, in a post on her Facebook page on August 26, Robredo said the Mt. Isarog project ‘will rehabilitate or repair structures originally built by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, many of which have already deteriorated due to years of neglect and underutilization.’
She added that the project is being pursued not only to promote Mt. Isarog as a tourism destination but, more importantly, to help preserve its ecology. ‘Preservation of the ecology at Mt. Isarog is a component of the project,’ said Robredo said.
The mayor noted, however, that they didn’t want over-tourism in Mt. Isarog. Instead, the project that Tieza will fund, will focus on enhancing existing facilities and providing more opportunities for adventure activities without damaging the environment.
‘There will be no construction of big structures or facilities,’ she said, emphasizing that the goal is to promote tourism, while protecting the natural environment.
Lapid also visited Naga to inspect other Tieza-supported projects in the Bicol region, including the ecotourism project in Pasacao, Camarines Sur, as well as the Peñafrancia Museum, which is nearly completed.
Aside from Mt. Isarog, the annual Peñafrancia Festival, which honors the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, attracts millions of visitors to Naga. The latter, held every September, is reputed to be the largest Marian celebration in Asia.