Ex-information officer pushes for agro-forestry tourism program

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – A former government information officer has urged the local government authorities here to embark on  a long range  agro-forestry tourism program to develop the rich historical, cultural and nature parks of Bataan peninsula into a top eco-tourism hub in Central Luzon.

Cesar Ramos Villa, who once headed the provincial communication office in Zambales described the vast natural resources, unique and posh cultural and great historical past of the province are undoubtedly advantageous compared to other nearby localities.

These leads are key factors in the promotion of the historic peninsula as agro-forest sites in the highly competitive and lucrative tourism industry market.

Villa, a regular visitor to Bataan mountain resorts in the upland village of Orani town, has reiterated the urgency of fostering and mounting the eco-tourism workable plan which is essentially driven on bringing nature wildlife conservationists, local communities and the responsible travel industry together to ensure the progressive sites are concentrated on long term sustainability.

According to Villa, who worked for several years in Canada, the creation of comprehensive tourism industry program giving more emphasis on widespread environmental and cultural awareness would result to progressive ecological communities.

Bataan’s sustainable development strategy was formulated during the tenure of the late Governor Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. bringing together all the stakeholders of the province and harnessing their aspirations into collective vision to strike a harmonious balance between promoting development while sustaining our environment.

A study showed forest land in the province covers 65,430 hectares or 48 percent of the total land area of Bataan which offers farfetched experiences allowing visitors to heighten closer personal relationship to nature, flora and fauna, wildlife and indigenous people encounter during the memorable mountain trekking adventures.