Iminungkahi ng Vice Mayors League of the Philippines – Romblon Chapter na gawing Special Tourism Zone ang isla ng Sibuyan Island sa probinsya ng Romblon dahil umano sa angking ganda ng islang tinaguriang ‘Galápagos of Asia’.
Ayon kay VMLP Romblon Chapter President, Odiongan Vice Mayor Mark Anthony Reyes, may ipinasa na silang resolution sa huling meeting nila para gawing Special Tourism Zone at magtayo ng Sibuyan Tourism Authority na hahawakan ng mga taga-Sibuyan.
“Maganda ang isla ng Sibuyan, kung titingnan mo para siyang yung Jeju Island sa South Korea na maliit na isla pero madaming magagandang tourist spots,” pahayag ni Vice Mayor Reyes ng makausap ng Romblon News Network.
Naka-address umano ang kanilang resolution sa opisina ni Congressman Emmanuel Madrona ng Lone District ng Romblon para i-lobby sa kamara at gawing batas.
“Actually, ang masasabi ko, mas maganda ang Sibuyan Island kesa sa Jeju Island, at alam ko na kaya natin yung gawin dito sa atin kung anong meron doon sa kanila,” dagdag pa ng bise alkalde.
Ilan lamang sa magagandang pasayalan sa Sibuyan Island ay ang: Mt. Guiting Guiting, Cresta de Gallo, Cantingas River at iba pang nagagandang mga waterfalls.
Samantala, sinabi ng enviromental group na Bayay Sibuyanon na wala umanong proper legal bearing ang nasabing proposal ng Vice Mayors League of the Philippines – Romblon Chapter dahil posibleng wala umanong resolution ang konseho ng mga bayan ng Magdiwang, Cajidiocan, at San Fernando na matatagpuan sa Sibuyan Island.
“Moreso, if the three municipalities would declare through legislation or any sound policy – these are more acceptable as bases for national legislation. Mere resolution of a league is just a political statement and has least legislative bearing, however, we would like to have a copy of the said resolution and be glad if the municipal councils of Magdiwang, Cajidiocan and San Fernando are able to adopt it,” ayon kay Rodne Galicha ng Bayay Sibuyanon.
“In fact, there is an ongoing island-wide ecotourism development planning which will strenghten any future policy recommendations. The National Economic Development Authority, Department of Tourism and Department of Environment and Natural Resources will always look for sound bases,” ayon pa kay Galicha.
“We will continue engaging with the local government units of Sibuyan Island to ensure a bottom-up, participatory, transparent and needs-based community-based ecotourism programs and policies under the principles of sustainable development,” dagdag pa ni Galicha.
