Municipal tourism council formed

OUR TOWN has been considered a sleeping giant in Bohol's tourism industry. It has everything that the province has to offer to tourists - - pristine white beaches; magnificent dive sites; geological attractions like rivers, an island lake, caves and waterfalls; centuries - old structures; rich cultural traditions; and warm - hearted people.
Recognizing the need to fully explore the tourism potentials of Loon and work for its total development as a future tourist haven, dynamic Mayor Cesar Tomas M. Lopez, M.D. set the groundwork by tapping the management skills of highly motivated and talented individuals from both the government and private sectors to form the Municipal Tourism Council.

After thorough deliberations, the Loon MTC was formed with mayor as chairman; Kagawad Julius M. Simbajon, co - chairman; Franz Baumann, vice chairman; Apolinaria R. Guballa, secretary; Francisca L. Sevilla, treasurer; Fernando Castañares, auditor; Hon. Thomas Raul L. Cartagenas, chairman of the planning and product development committee; Hon. Ignacio M. Castil Jr., chairman of the sites, services and standards committee; Reigh P. Monreal, chairman of the marketing and promotion committee; and Vivenciola S. Estrada, chairman of the human resources development committee.

The Council acts as a policy - making, advisory and recommendatory body for all tourism - related programs and activities in Loon.

Some of the issues raised during the first meeting of the body included the following: strategic planning to come up with a comprehensive Municipal Tourism Development Plan, imposition of user's fee whenever appropriate as in the Pantudlan dive site in Cabilao Island, possible partnership with private establishments in the Cabilao area, and ocular visits to be conducted by the MTC to confirm the eco - tourism potential of identified sites.

As identified by the body, the existing and potential eco - tourism destinations in the town are classified into the following:

Historical and heritage structures and sites: Our Lady of Light Church, Inang - angan, Spanish - style kiosk, old circular cemetery with chapel, American - era town plaza, other stone structures such as old bridges and ruins, Moalong Cliff and River (Battle of Moalong), Tubig - Loon Spring (origin of the town's name) and Barangay Cantaongon (guerilla supply camp).

Outstanding scenery: Pantudlan dive site; white beaches of Cabilao, Sandingan, Basdacu and Lintuan; seaside areas of Tangnan and Sandingan; Lanaw Lake on Cabilao Island; caves of karst topography in Basdacu, Tiwi and other upland barangays; Mount Canmanoc; Cabacongan fish sanctuary; Moalong River and Antaeg spring and lagoon; mangrove forests of Basac and Tajang Pass; Danicop Falls in Ticugan; Piong Falls in Nagtuang and Canmaag; and Bakwag Spring in Bugho.

Indigenous crafts and local culture: Binago processing in Sandingan, toddy production in Cantaongon, community theater in Napo, farming on the rocky slopes of Basdio, agri - based tourism in upper Tontonan, mat weaving in Cabilao, handicraft - making in the upland barangays, Good Friday pilgrimage to the Big Cross, and the annual Lenten, Easter and SidlaKasilak rites in the poblacion barangays. (Reigh P. Monreal)