MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 is amplifying its efforts to boost tourism opportunities in Misamis Occidental, according to regional director Marie Elaine Unchuan, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas media forum, March 4.
“We are developing our tour circuits in Misamis Occidental,” she said, highlighting the ongoing improvements in the province’s tourism facilities.
Unchuan highlighted the establishment of the Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park (AMORAP) in Sinacaban, which is gaining attention as the “Maldives of Mindanao.”
She also cited the opening of Asenso Global Gardens (AGG) in Tangub City, a new tourist destination that offers panoramic views of Panguil Bay and the surrounding mountains.
Unchuan noted that the opening of the Panguil Bay Bridge, which connects Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental, has significantly contributed to the influx of tourists, as travel between the two provinces now takes only a few minutes.
The regional director also pointed out the province’s abundant marine life, particularly shellfish and eels from Murcielagos Bay, which could be developed into culinary tourism attractions.
“I was just in Tangub market, na discover nako nga ang shellfish didto, og mga eels can be developed as a culinary tourism, grabe ka daghan kay brackish water man ila kai from Murcielagos Bay,” she said.
(I was just in the Tangub market, and I discovered that the shellfish there, and eels can be developed as culinary tourism, there are a lot of them because they have brackish water from Murcielagos Bay)
Moving forward, Unchuan announced the upcoming NorthMin Philippine Experience event, which will bring key tourism stakeholders, including the tourism secretary, influencers, and tour operators, to Misamis Occidental.
Despite the province’s tourism growth, Unchuan acknowledged the challenge of limited accommodation. “Dili pa kayo in-ana ka daghan atong hotels, so if you are going to bring a big group, i-split pa na nato,” she said.
(We don’t have many hotels yet, so large groups may need to be split up.)
However, she expressed confidence that the provincial government is actively working to attract more investments that will lead to more facilities to meet growing demand. (JMOR/PIA-10)
