Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Benjamin Abalos Jr. in Negros*Ronnie Baldonado photo
Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Benjamin Abalos Jr. has vowed to support tourism development in Negros Oriental.
The former Interior and Local Government chief said on Thursday, Feb. 20, that he backs the construction of the P17 billion new Dumaguete City Airport that the national government plans to build in Bacong town.
“I will support the development — it will serve not only Negros Oriental but likewise Occidental and even parts of Siquijor at dumadami na ang turista ngayon (where tourists are increasing),” he said.
Abalos said this would boost development in the area, especially now that pull for tourists is easier with improved peace and order.
“You got one of the greatest diving sites in the country right now at maraming napanalo ang tourism department natin and one of each in tourism is the diving, ang ganda ng Apo dito (and the Department of Tourism has garnered a lot of award, one of which is on diving, and Apo Island here is beautiful),” he said.
“We got one of the biggest biodiversity —it’s here in your area. So, it’s so easy to promote hinihintay lang natin once dumating airport I’m very sure dadami hindi lang ang local tourist but also the foreign tourist (once the airport is built, I’m sure domestic and foreign travelers will increase),” he added.
With a total project cost of P17.06 billion, some P13.15 billion of which will be supported by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), the new Dumaguete City Airport project will cover 197.55 hectares of land development in Bacong.
The project is expected to enhance the tourism and trade potential, economic activities, and standard of living in the province.*PNA