More investments seen if Camotes bill becomes law

More tourism investments are expected to be poured into Camotes Island once a bill rationalizing the management of the natural resources of the island will be signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III.

Rep. Ramon Durano VI, who sponsored the bill, said the House version of the bill was approved last June 6 while the Senate version (Senate Bill 2463) was passed last Friday.

“The bill is then scheduled for transmission to the Office of the President (this) week,  and we count 30 days for the President to take action,” Durano s.

The bill aims to identify “protected areas of Camotes Islands,” which only makes up about 4,000 hectares out of the 20,000-hectare land area of the islands.This leaves at least 16,000 hectares as alienable and disposable land where developments will be allowed.

Durano said that they are optimistic that President Benigno Aquino III will decide favorably given the nature of the bill that seeks to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord to the harmony of nature and exclude the alienable and disposable dry lands of the islands of Ponson, Poro and Pajican known as the Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves and to classify Ponson Island.

Referred to as the “Iconic Island,” Camotes is composed of four municipalities—Poro, Tudela, San Francisco, and Pilar.

Durano said the islands is rich with natural white sand beaches and other attractions like Lake Danao and the Bukilat Cave, which has a lot potential for tourism which is what the national government is pushing to achieve inclusive growth.

resorts

At present, there are several resorts in Camotes to accommodate tourists such as Santiago Bay Garden Resort, Mangodlong Rock Resort, My Little Island Hotel, Mangodlong Paradise Resort, Flying Fish Resort and Heritage Hotel.

From Cebu City, the island of Camotes can be reached in less than two hours by sea travel. The ports in Cebu include Danao, Pier 1, and Ouano Wharf.

san francisco

San Francisco Mayor Aly Arquillano said there are at least 200 rooms available in the town for tourists.

“Everyday we have about three round trips from Danao to Camotes with at least 1,000 travellers, which only means that there are a lot of people now visiting us especially in San Francisco where most of the tourists attractions are located,” Arquillano said.

Arquillano said that the town earned P10 million from taxes earned from the tourism industry last year.

Investments on power and water supply are among the type of investments that the local executives including Pilar mayor Jesus Fernandez, Tudela mayor Erwin Yu and Poro Mayor Luciano Rama are considering as priority invetments as it will help attract more investors in the island.