Bacolod City – “We will try to compile and consolidate an appropriate tourism masterplan for the Third District. Let us dream as much as we can, innovate as thoroughly as we can, and perhaps put together our plans to see a truly sustainable and resilient tourism plan for the Third District.” Benitez, who spoke at the tourism consultative meeting over-the-weekend, in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, said.
The consultative meeting on ecotourism formed part of the two-day assessment visit of the Regional EcoTourism Committee VI to selected sites in the 3rd district, also attended by local chief executives and tourism officers, tourism stakeholders, and members of the Protected Area Management Board of Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
Benitez earlier filed House Bill 2129, which amends the Cultural Mapping Law to institutionalize local government unit-led cultural mapping. “This bill will make it mandatory for all LGUs to undertake cultural mapping exercises so that LGUs are aware of their heritage and cultural resources,” he said.
The bill, which was already approved by the House of Representatives, seeks to have proper documentation of tangible and intangible cultural assets to promote local tourism and heritage conservation through local education.
“The new amendments make DOT part and parcel of the planning process for cultural mapping, as well as the DepEd to ensure that the sense of local pride and heritage is passed on through the local school system,” Benitez explained.
During the consultative meeting, Benitez stressed the need for a sensitive planning horizon that promotes tourism while protecting biodiversity in NNNP.
“We need to stop thinking of the NNNP as an area isolated from development, and understand that development bleeds into the park and benefits that the park provides also bleed into the district,” the solon said.
Gawahon Eco-Park in Victorias City and Patag-Eco Park in Silay are two prime destinations in the Third District covered by the NNNP, wherein Benitez continues to raise awareness to maintain biodiversity and promote ecotourism in these areas.
Benitez also filed HB 73 or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS), which when passed into law, will take into account the costs of extracting natural resources and utilizing ecosystem services.
“PENCAs will allow us to make part and parcel all development plans including tourism, to make ecological services being done by rivers, forest, and coastal zones as part and parcel of the National Economic Development Authority.”
This measure seeks to balance environmental sustainability and economic development to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
“NEDA will be tasked to do an accounting system, for what environment degradation will mean for a longer term sustainable development framework,” Benitez said.
He also emphasized the interdependence between the environment and development citing the Negrense sugar industry as an example of the blessings nature provides.
Implying the need to all the more preserve and protect the environment, Benitez said “Do not think of the North Negros Natural Park as disconnected from that of our Sugar industry and sugarcane heritage. We should think of the NNNP as a natural asset and natural heritage that we must protect. To think of the history of the sugar trail is to appreciate that history is parallel in the use of the environment for development,” he stressed. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
