The
provincial government plans to develop Lanao del Sur as a center of culture and
arts by promoting the Meranao culture as its primary tourism product.
Ahmad
Nour-al-dinn Tamano Jr., provincial tourism officer, said the three-year
tourism development plan of the provincial government focuses on key niches
that includes the rehabilitation and improvement of cultural heritage sites and
complement the implementation of Go Negosyo Centers that will showcase Meranao
handicrafts, arts and delicacies.
“We
have a rich culture that can attract more tourists and contribute to the
economic development of the province,” he said.
Last month, the Tourism Department
of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) announced that Lanao del Sur
attracted 69,606 visitors in 2016, up by 14 percent from the 61,058 visitors
registered in 2015, which resulted to P1.2 billion total tourism receipts.
Aside
from cultural tourism, the provincial government will also push for the
implementation of Lanao Lake Development Authority, development of ecology
parks complete with tourist-related facilities, and construction of access
roads to all potential tourist spots.
Tamano said they will need the
cooperation and support of municipal governments in the Lanao del Sur to
achieve their plan in boosting the tourism industry in the province.
He
requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Bayan, and the Marawi City
Council to pass legislations supporting the provincial tourism development
plan.
Tamano
also proposed ordinances to regulate the development of Lake Lanao and Agus
River, to require the transport sector to undergo basic tourism education, to
prohibit the destruction of historical buildings and infrastructures, and to
preserve and maintain Plaza Rizal in Marawi City, among others. (APB/PIA-10)
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