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COUNCILOR Lourdes Candy Darimbang, chair of
the City Council committee on tourism, on Monday called for support for the
development of the Sinulom Falls in Barangay Tignapoloan as one of the
city’s tourist destinations.
In her special report during the
regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas, Councilor
Darimbang said she personally visited the site twice upon the invitation of the
barangay chairman of Tignapoloan.
She said, the city can be proud of
the Sinulom Falls, which is breathtaking and panoramic. She said it is
comparable to the Pasonanca Falls in Zamboanga, and other landmark tourist
destinations in the country.
She, however, observed that the
temporary access road leading to the site is not fully developed, it was steep
and rough and difficult to traverse.
According to Darimbang, with the
discovery of the potential tourist destination, the local government should
extend full support to the development of the area. She cited that tourism is a
major player and catalyst in the country’s progress.
RESOLUTIONS
In line with this, the councilor filed a proposed resolution
declaring Sinulom Falls at Sitio Sinulom, Barangay Tignapoloan as a protected
area and a second resolution, requesting the City Council to appropriate funds
for the construction of the access road leading to the falls to make it
accessible to tourists.
TOURISM BOARD
Vice Mayor Acenas referred these to the City Tourism Board for appropriate action.
He suggested that the board considers tapping the Tourism Infrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the development of the area.
Councilor Adrian Barba said the ownership of the land and other concerns
should also be looked into.
For his part, Councilor Teodulfo Lao
said Sinulom Falls can be a source of pride to the city. If the area belongs to
Cagayan de Oro, it can be developed as a tourist destination, he cited.
