100 Isles projects P15-M income by year-end
ALAMINOS CITY– The gross revenue from the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) located in this city, is projected to reach P15-million this year.
Speaking before his constituents in his State of the City Address (SOCA) last August 5, city mayor Arthur Celeste disclosed the big leap in the income of their HINP.
He said that from January to June, 2014, HINP’s gross revenue reached P10,719,192.67, more than twice higher than the P4,018,183.66 income of the same period last year.
The local chief executive said that the income will most likely reach P15-million in the last two quarters of 2014, citing the developments done and will be made in the islands.
In his first year as mayor, the city government in cooperation with the provincial government has focused its efforts in developing the HINP.
The local government unit has constructed gazebos, floating cottages, a guesthouse, and new three-storey pavilion and restored the Manuel L. Quezon Monument and mermaid sculptures at the Quezon Island.
Also, the said solar-powered major island now offers as helmet diving, ziplining, rappelling, and wall climbing as additional activities.
The improvement of the Governor’s Island is with help of the provincial government.
Celeste announced that fresh potable water source will be installed in the three main islands- Quezon, Governor’s, and Children’s- in a few weeks.
“There will also be a massive rehabilitation of Lucap Wharp within this year,” he added, citing the city government’s plan to continue investing in the HINP.
The boost in the islands’ tourism was also furthered by the establishment of 24/7 tourism information center and tourism police assistance center, the cleanliness drive in Lucap Wharf and in the islands, and the intensive marketing and promotions of the HINP, the mayor said.
He reported that more foreigners have been visiting the HINP, including the 240 European Nationals of the MS Europa International Cruise Ship.
Also, according to the city tourism officer, the increase in the income and tourist arrivals at the HINP may also be attributed to the increase in fees.
Before, he noted, environmental fee was P20 for each visitor, now it’s P40 while rental fees of gazebos and guesthouse have been adjusted.
Previously, the Sangguniang Bayan has approved the Tourism Code of 2013 regulates tariff/rates of public utility vehicles and other service-providers to protect tourists.
In an interview after his SOCA, Celeste said that apart from the construction at the HINP, the city government will soon build a “one of a kind convention center,” sports center and children’s activity center with swimming pool and gymnasium, and the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council information building/evacuation center.
He added that his previous talks with a private company, he received a positive response in support of the construction of an international airport.
POLITICS
Meanwhile, Celeste, after making public, along with other first district mayors, his support for the gubernatorial bid of former congressman Mark Cojuangco in 2016, assured that Gov. Espino is still his governor and that work remains his priority.
“He (Espino) is still my governor and I consider him the best governor of our province,” he remarked.
He added, “Kung matuloy ‘yong labanang Cojuangco- Espino (Board Member Amado “Pogi” Espino III), this is just politics, I guess friendship will always be there.” (Johanne R. Macob)
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