DEPUTY Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman has filed a bill seeking to declare one of Basilan’s white sand beaches as an ecotourism zone to fast-track the development in the area and boost the province’s tourism industry.
In filing House Bill No. 7159, or the “Lampinigan Ecotourism Site Act,” Hataman said tourism is one of the main sources of livelihood of people in Basilan and the province has so many tourist spots that need government help for their development.
The former governor of the now-defunct ARMM has earlier filed HB 6293, or the “Malamawi Ecotourism Zone Act,” to declare another one of Basilan’s hidden gems also as an ecotourism zone to achieve its promise as the next must-see tourist destination in the Philippines. It has already been approved on final reading in the House of Representatives.
“Maraming komunidad sa amin ang nabubuhay sa turismo sa dalawang islang ito. At dahil sa kapayapaang pinagtulungang maabot ng mga mamamayan sa Basilan, parami ng parami ang dumadating na turista sa Malamawi at Lampinigan,” Hataman said.
“And as the number of tourists grows, we must prepare the infrastructure in these islands to accommodate the influx of visitors, and at the same time protect the pristine conditions of Lampinigan and Malamawi islands,” he added.
Lampinigan Island is one of the jewels of Basilan tucked within the jurisdiction of the province’s capital city of Isabela with long shorelines of fine white beaches.
“The island is a premier tourism spot in Isabela City that is being frequented by thousands of visitors both foreign and local every year. As far as white beaches go, Lampinigan Island is said to be one of the best white beaches in the country, at par with more popular ones such as Boracay Island,” the measure read.
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