MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) – “Sa una, paghisgot og Boracay, maningkamot ta nga mahimo pud tag Boracay dinhi. Dayon mago-ol ta kay wala tay white sand. Pero karon dili na, so we don’t have to be something else we are not,” Jonathan Callanta, provincial economic enterprise officer of Misamis Occidental, explained that things have changed where people go, where the good story lives.
(In the past, we aspired to make this place like Boracay and felt disappointed because we lacked white sand. But now, that mindset has changed—we no longer need to be something we’re not.)
He said that even Balete trees can become tourist attractions with a good story to share.
Tourism benefits various sectors, including transportation, hotels, restaurants, and local workers, such as massage therapists and other service providers.
“We have excellent food, from Sapang Dalaga to Bonifacio, featuring diverse seafood, brackish water delicacies, and shells. It’s essential to nurture our unique identity while finding ways to innovate. Opportunities abound here,” Callanta explained.
The two major multi-million peso tourism infrastructures that the province invested in, particularly Asenso Global Gardens (AGG) in Tangub City and Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park (AMORAP) in Sinacaban town, are projected to provide various opportunities for economic growth, livelihood, and business for Misamisnons.
Misamis Occidental is still a National Tax Allocation (NTA)-dependent province, which means that majority of its budget comes from the central government.
“However, the governor wants to get out of that dependency,” the tourism officer added.
The province’s economic enterprises office is delegated to create and generate revenues, particularly for the AGG and AMORAP. The second mission is to boost the local economy.
“So pinaagi ani nga investment, kinahanglan matagaan og opportunities ang mga local businessmen nato, ang mga jobless, maka trabaho, ug kadtong mga MSMEs matagaan pud og opportunities,” Callanta said.
(This investment should create opportunities for local businesses, provide jobs for the unemployed, and support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It serves as a vehicle for economic growth.)
Misamis Occidental, generally, is a catchment area where tourists can arrive seamlessly through new routes, such as access to boat ferries from Bohol and Siquijor to Oroquieta and Plaridel.
Meanwhile, the opening of Panguil Bay Bridge connecting the rest of Northern Mindanao to the province has really increased tourism arrival.
“We must make tourism a driver of economic growth through infrastructure development,” Callanta emphasized.
The province also closely works with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help MSMEs have their own identities for Misamis Occidental’s diverse products. (JMOR/PIA10)
