DINAGAT ISLAND VISIT. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar (left) poses with Loreto, Dinagat Islands mayor Doandre Bill Ladaga on Monday (March 22, 2021). Andanar visited Loreto for the conduct of the Explain, Explain, Explain information drive on the National Covid-19 Vaccination Roadmap. (PCOO photo)
MANILA – The municipality of Loreto in Dinagat Islands province will be receiving PHP10 million worth of funds for infra projects, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Wednesday, two days after meeting the town’s local chief executive, Mayor Doandre Bill Ladaga.
Andanar was in Loreto on March 22 for the conduct of the Explain, Explain, Explain information drive on the National Covid-19 Vaccination Roadmap.
He said the PCOO was able to reach out to the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who swiftly responded and pledged to help establish a Malasakit Center in the town. This is apart from the PHP10 million funding for infrastructure and improvement of Loreto’s road networks.
Ladaga sat as guest for a taped interview of an episode of PCOO’s Network Briefing News, where he sought the assistance of the national government for projects that can enhance economic opportunities there, apart from his invitation to investors to invest in the town’s tourism potential.
“Kami po ay nag-e-encourage ng mga investors na sana po ay mayroon nang magkalakas ng loob na mag-invest sa atin dito para mai-upgrade natin man lang 'yung ating mga transportation natin para sa ganun, mas lalong ma-attract din 'yung mga tourists na pumunta sa lugar natin (We are encouraging investors to take a chance and invest here so we can upgrade our services in transportation, and attract tourists to come here),” he said.
He said the local government is preparing the town, which is located at the northern tip of the province, as another tourist destination in Region 13 (Caraga), with the start of construction of accommodation facilities in anticipation of the increased number of arriving tourists.
“Ang pinaghahandaan talaga namin ay 'yung pagbangon ng economic side natin, kung papano 'yung mga tao ay kumita muli (What we are preparing for is the recovery of our economy, and how the people will start earning again),” he said.
“Alam ko sa pamamagitan ng tourism, malaki-laki po itong maitutulong. Kaya kami po ay nananawagan sa national government, kasama na rin po ang provincial government, na matulungan kami na mabigyan ng mga proyekto lalo na 'yung mga access roads natin going to tourist destinations (I know that tourism can help a lot. That is why we call on the national government, as well as the provincial government, to help us by providing projects, especially access roads going to tourist destinations)," he added.
Loreto prides itself as the home of the Mount Redondo Natural Bonsai Forest, which has identified species of bonsai trees. (PR)
