Mt. Manunggal eyed as next ‘Baguio City’

Despite being stymied in his efforts to transfer the Cebu international airport in Cordova, Rep. Tomas Osmeña is undeterred about pursing another project.

The Cebu City congressman reiterated anew his plans to establish Mt. Manunggal Peak in Balamban town, midwest Cebu as a summer tourist destination comparable to Baguio City.

His plans gained the support of former senator Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay, who said more activities may be held at the crash site where his father, the late president Ramon Magsaysay died 56 years ago.

“The proposal came from Rep. Tomas Osmena of Cebu City’s south district. This something that is doable without damaging the ecosystem,” he said.

But Magsaysay said development plans will have to be a private initiative which may be participated by big businessmen like the Ayalas, the Gokongweis and George Ty.

“They have to put their acts together because this (plan to develop the crash site) needs economic and sensible planning,” he said.

Osmeña said he will review a plan to develop Mt. Manunggal peak into a tourism destination if Hilario Davide III wins as governor and Pinamungahan mayor Geraldine Yapha wins Cebu’s third district congressional seat.

“This is very financially feasible because the area is even colder than Tagaytay which is only 1, 500 feet. Manunggal is 4,000 feet. This is doable in five years time,” he said.

Osmena said he wants to build a castle resort with cable cars from barangay Taptap in Cebu City that will bring tourists to Mt. Manunggal in Balamban town.  The cable car will pass by waterfalls and rainforests in the area.

The mountain resort’s rooms will have fire places due to the cold weather and it will be equipped with an integrated sewage treatment plant, a ball room and entertainment area.   “You don’t have to be in Baguio to experience the cold weather.  You just have to go to Cebu,” he said. /Correspondent Edison delos Angeles