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Bohol needs P198-M for Choco Hills view deck, facilities rehab

<p><strong>VIEW DECK.</strong> The Chocolate Hills viewing deck in Carmen, Bohol needs to undergo repair works after sustaining some damage during the great earthquake in the province on Oct. 15, 2013. (<em>Photo courtesy of Mike Raquel</em>)</p>

VIEW DECK. The Chocolate Hills viewing deck in Carmen, Bohol needs to undergo repair works after sustaining some damage during the great earthquake in the province on Oct. 15, 2013. (Photo courtesy of Mike Raquel)

 

TAGBILARAN CITY -- Bohol needs about PHP198 million to restore the viewing deck and other facilities in the Chocolate Hills complex in Carmen town.

The Provincial Development Council’s (PDC) Executive Committee earlier said in a resolution that repairs and restoration works must be undertaken at the Chocolate Hills viewing deck and other structures in the complex which sustained major damage during the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on October 15, 2013.

“The provincial government considers the Chocolate Hills as the most visited and iconic tourism spot in the province; hence, rehabilitating its facilities, which is essential to improve the signature landmark of Bohol in conformity with international standards, will further boost the local economy and sustain the tourism industry in Bohol, the region and the Philippines as a whole,” the PDC Executive Committee said.

The PDC has estimated the total project cost at PHP197.931 million, to cover the concreting of pathways, parking and water features, trellis works, and reconstruction of stairs, ramps, viewing deck, food court, and museum and activity center including its paintings, lamp posts, signages and landscaping works.

In line with the proposal, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Friday approved a resolution supporting the PDC Executive Committee’s request for funding assistance from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the New Chocolate Hills Complex Construction Project in the municipality of Carmen.

Provincial Board Member Alexie Tutor, who chairs the SP Committee on Tourism, moved for the approval of the resolution during the regular session, while SP Member Venzencio Arcamo, Tourism Committee vice-chair, seconded the motion and the resolution and was approved unanimously.

The PDC has specifically requested TIEZA to provide funds for the project as the agency is mandated to develop, manage and supervise tourism infrastructure projects all over the country pursuant to Republic Act 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009.

The project is intended to “provide tourists and visitors of Bohol, particularly at the Chocolate Hills Complex, with a facility that meets generally-accepted tourism industry standards.”

The rehabilitation project will also cover the establishment and construction of structures and facilities that will make the complex resilient to natural hazards such as earthquakes, and landslides.

It is also intended “to introduce new and improved facilities that can help attract more tourists in the area, providing opportunities for the provincial government of Bohol and the municipal government of Carmen to earn revenues from the operation of the complex.”

The project is also expected to help sustain Bohol’s tourism industry and in the preservation of its natural resources.

The PDC has earlier discussed the potentials of the proposed project and recognized the foreseen impacts to boost, not just the tourism industry but also the economic stability of the province.

It is also explained in the resolution that “the proposed project is aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022 vision to develop a highly competitive, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible tourism that promotes inclusive growth through employment generation and equitable distribution of income.”

The project likewise falls under the restoration project classification of the DREAMS project of TIEZA, the resolution further stated.

DREAMS stands for “Destination Tourism, Restoration Tourism, Ecotourism, Agritourism, and Medical Tourism” which carries TIEZA’s goal to increase international tourist arrivals to 12 million and domestic travelers to 89.2 million by 2022.

Copies of the resolution will be provided to TIEZA, the regional office of Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) and other agencies concerned, for information, guidance and appropriate action. (Angeline Valencia/PNA)

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