THE Cebu provincial government and towns in northwestern Cebu are drafting a master plan to develop the area into a tourist attraction while protecting its natural resources.

The provincial government is already working on a Malapascua Island Ecotourism Development plan, specifically designed for the world-renowned Malapascua Island, famous for its long, white sand beaches and diving spots.

Daanbaantayan town, where Malapascua officially belongs to, is also making its own effort primarily at developing transportation lines between Cebu City and the town, as well from the town docks to the different islands off shore.

“Our biggest problem is a port for boats going to Malapascua. But with the roll on-roll off port in barangay Maya set to open in April this year, the problem will be addressed,” town tourism officer Gregg Rubio told the BusinessMirror.

The town is also setting up a system to protect thresher sharks and manta rays’ habitats at the dive sites around Malapascua Island and in the municipal seawaters.

Dynamite fishing by local fishermen is also one of the problems identified by divers going to Malapascua.

“The municipality is strictly enforcing the ordinance protecting the marine sanctuaries. It activated the bantay dagat task force in all coastal barangays and island barangays,” Rubio said.

“The provincial police has also created a Malapascua Island Special Protection Unit to safeguard tourists on the island.”

Rubio said that since the deployment of the special police force in Malapascua in October 2007, there were no reported petty crimes against tourists in the island. The police are also cracking down on suppliers of chemicals used in dynamite fishing.

Rubio said the Department of Transportation and Communications has approved “in principle” the creation of an air strip in the town.

Rubio said Rep. Benhur Salimbanon has earlier vowed to speed up the transformation of the entire district as a full-blown alternative destination for tourists, next to Mactan Island.

Salimbangon earlier said his office is coordinating with the Department of Tourism for the creation of a tourism master plan for northern Cebu with emphasis on developing the 16 pristine islets in the area.

The island will then be promoted together with the now well-known Bantayan Island as the gateway to these islets including Malapascua Island.

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THE Cebu provincial government and towns in northwestern Cebu are drafting a master plan to develop the area into a tourist attraction while protecting its natural resources.

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