• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has approved P46 million in funding for two tourism development projects in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental aimed at enhancing eco-tourism and promoting sustainable travel.
The funding approval was announced during the visit of TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid to San Carlos City on June 26 as part of his working tour to inspect TIEZA-funded projects across Negros Island Region.
During the meeting, Mayor Renato Gustilo and Councilor Philip Gerard Maisog presented two proposed tourism projects for TIEZA funding, including the P22-million Sipaway Island Ecoescape: A Birdwatching Retreat in the Heart of Mangrove Project and the P24-million Medina Memorial Tree Project.
Following the presentation, Lapid approved both proposals, allocating a total of P46 million from the TIEZA fund to support their implementation, according to a statement issued by the city government.
The Sipaway Island Ecoescape project is designed to establish a birdwatching destination within the island’s mangrove ecosystem while the Medina Memorial Tree Project seeks to enhance the city’s environmental conservation and tourism appeal through the development of a memorial tree park.
Gustilo said the approved projects are expected to further develop San Carlos City’s tourism destinations, strengthen environmental conservation efforts, and reinforce the city’s commitment to sustainable tourism while creating new opportunities for local communities and visitors alike. | GPB
