THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) is seeking the assistance of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary through the Performance and Projects Management Office (PPMO) to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a road map for the development of Bantayan Island.
The PB has recently passed the resolution sponsored by Fourth District Board Member Horacio Franco requesting Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco Jr., through PPMO Executive Director Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil to send a qualified team to Cebu to conduct a thorough study and in-depth research on Bantayan Island.
Bantayan Island is an island located in the Visayan Sea comprised of the three municipalities of Santa Fe, Madridejos and Bantayan. The island is popularly known for its distinct resources, white beaches and marine products. It is also considered the egg basket of the Province of Cebu.
Franco said the entire island is eyed for appropriate development to boost its ecotourism potential.
However, Franco said the introduction of vital development plans and projects in the place needs proper planning and in-depth research or study in order to ensure that the finances to be used and allocated in developing the island shall not be put to waste but rather to uplift and promote economic growth, public convenience and the general welfare.
“In short, the entire Bantayan Island needs right now of a comprehensive or integrated development master plan as a vital guide for its needed development,” Franco said.
He added the assistance from higher authorities and from the national government, which has enough resources and most qualified individuals with sufficient know-how and knowledge in the preparation of the master plan is a paramount ingredient in guaranteeing the proper development of the island. “The PPMO could be of great help in achieving this noble endeavor,” Franco added.
Executive Order 99 signed by then-President Benigno S. Aquino III on October 31, 2012, provides for the creation of the PPMO. The office is primarily responsible for putting in place and driving a systematic approach to, and delivering results relative to the Performance and Projects Roadmap.
Among its functions is to coordinate with all concerned agencies and bureaus for the efficient management and timely implementation of the programs and targets under the Performance and Projects Roadmap.
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu earlier ordered officials to inspect the seas off Bantayan Island and other places tourist destinations to check if what happened to Boracay Island is not happening in these areas.
Cimatu said that owners of houses and buildings must have to maintain a sewage treatment plant so that anything that goes to the sea must be treated first.
Robert Lim Joseph, a tourism advocate and now a consultant of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, during his visit in Cebu last week said the closure of Boracay Island is an eye-opener as all of the resorts are not following the rules and they also dumped waste into the sea.