Alaminos is new manager of 100 isles

ALAMINOS CITY-The transfer of the management and control of the world-famous Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) from national agencies to the local government will finally be effected on October 15.

The transfer of the 100 Islands, covering 1,844 hectares of land, will be inked in a memorandum of agreement among  the city government,  the Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on October 15.

 City Administrator Ernesto    Malay  told  local newsmen  the other day that the transfer will restore the sense of ownership by the city folk  since the islands rightfully belong to the city government as reflected in its charter. Malay, former regional director of the DOT in region 1, said that under the MOA, the cooperation will continue but with one difference, the city government assumes full control and direction for its development.

He said the city government shares the advocacy and mandate of DENR, PTA and DOT so he does not expect any problem in the new cooperation between the agencies and the city government.

According to Mayor Hernani Braganza, the active participation of the city government will augur for the development and promotion of the islands as a primary tourist destination.

Specifically, Malay cited the capability of the city government to provide protection, enhance cleanliness and maintenance of the park, and allotment of funds for the HINP’s maintenance.

Under the MOA, the city government will begin to share in the revenues from entrance fees collected by the PTA.

The city government also plans to pass ordinances aimed at setting service standards and building codes inside the HINP.

Presently, there are only three developed islands which offer facilities for tourists,  namely: the Governor’s, Children’s and Quezon Islands. Based on the city government’s survey, more islands can still be developed.

Two weeks ago, DENR Secretary Mike Defensor and PTA general manager Robert Dean Barbers arrived here for preliminary discussion on the turn-over with Mayor Braganza.

The meeting resulted in a commitment from Barbers to build an Olympic-size swimming pool as part of the amenities at the Lucap wharf, the jump off point to the islands.

Initially, Malay said that the main market target for the promotion of HINP will be the Pangasinan residents.

With three million Pangasinenses, Malay said “with just 10 percent going to Hundred Islands within a year, that’s already 300,000.”

The tasty Alaminos longanisa, the famous bangus, and delicacy like binongey will be made part of the campaign promoting HINP as a destination.

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