- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The EB Magalona municipal government, under Mayor Marvin Malacon, Friday unveiled their newest tourist destination – the Isla Madalag Eco-Haven – where one can feast on sutukil (sugba, tula, kinilaw) fresh sea foods amid the five-hectare mangrove area shaped like an island in Barangay Madalag.
The outdoor dining spot will officially open today, June 4, after the blessing Friday, led by Fr. Ernesto Salvador of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish, and attended by Malacon, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, department heads and municipal employees, and teachers and staff of the Department of Education in the town.
Malacon said this collaborative endeavor between the town and barangay officials aims not only to boost tourism and generate income, but will ensure sustainable livelihood for residents, especially the fisherfolk.
He stressed that through political will and vision, projects such as the Madalag eco-haven could be realized, even as he urged barangay officials and residents to maintain cleanliness, ensure peace and order, and be respectful and welcoming to visitors.
The newest tourist spot, that boasts of solar cells and a watch tower, will cater to walk-in clients, initially from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be an environmental fee for the mangrove maintenance, with the rate still be established.
The eco-haven complements the town’s famous Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail, a bamboo bridge winding through a mangrove forest towards the beach, that has been accredited as a Tourism Recreation Center by the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas.
Malacon said the two eco-tourism destinations will showcase what EB Magalona has to offer, like its famous blue crabs, oysters, and shrimp, while promoting environmental protection, and generating livelihood opportunities for Saraviahanons.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jojo Vargas, who was entrusted by Malacon to oversee the realization of the eco-haven, said that about 20 residents of Madalag have been hired for the initial operation of the al fresco restaurant.
The environmental management specialist said they also plan to extend the bamboo bridge to nearby Barangay Batea, accommodate diners on bancas, and hold tours to oyster cages.
Malacon, meanwhile, said he is very grateful for the cooperation and unity of Saraviahanons, and the local DepEd, in ensuring that the town maintains its status as one of only seven local government units of Negros Occidental deescalated under COVID Alert Level 1 by the National Inter-Agency Task Force.
He said that because of this least restrictive classification, the town is planning to revive its Sabado Night revelry in August, as well as the Seafood Festival in December.
Malacon also said the town passed the 2021 Good Financial Housekeeping of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and was adjudged the 3rd Most Improved Second-Class Municipality./CGC
