By Leo Udtohan
After two years of travel restrictions, municipality of Danao reopened its doors to tourists as it celebrated its 61st founding anniversary on Saturday, July 9.
Of the highlights of the foundation day celebration was the reopening of the Danao Adventure Park (DAP) located in Barangay Magtangtang.
Danao, considered as the province's adventure capital, is at least 92 km from Tagbilaran City.
Mayor Jose Cepedoza said the reopening of DAP is to boost the local economy and revive the tourism industry.
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Suislide is one of the high adrenaline activities offered by Danao Adventure Park in Danao town, Bohol province. Photo:
Danao Adventure Park |
Danao boasts of caves, rivers, waterfalls, and other natural resources which have lured thousands of tourists. Historically, Danao is the birthplace of Francisco Sendrijas, popularly known as Dagohoy, who established the first Bohol republic.
But tourists go for adventure and extreme activities at DAP such as giant swing, glass cliffwalk, sky ride, root climbing and rappelling, suislide, plunge, caving, waterfalls and river trekking, kayaking and cliff diving.
Another features like hamster well and zipbike will be put up within the next three months.
During the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013 it destroyed the DAP.
It took for a while for the tourism sector to regain some optimism. Then the coronavirus arrived, causing the park to close.
The LGU-run park experienced devastating losses.
As it slowly reopened when COVID-19 cases started to decline, typhoon Odette (international name "Rai") damaged the facilities including the accomodation center.
Estela Bedua, executive assitant of Mayor Cepedoza, said the municipal government slowly revived the town's engine of economy.
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| Danao Mayor Jose Cepedoza hopes that the tourism industry in his town would rebound from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy: Helen Castaño |
The cottages that were damaged by Odette were also repaired and improved. However, the LGU is looking for additional funds to build the accomodation center.
The newly-paved road going to Magtangtang was also inaugurated on Friday to provide tourists with better travel experience.
"We are slowly recovering now... Danao will welcome more visitors and tourists," the local chief executive said.
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Most memorable lines from our lawmakers (and why we are moved, if we are moved) during the inaugural sesssion at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan:
Atty. Tomas Abapo- During the campaign, we delivered a lot of speeches. We uttered a lot of words-praises, but most often words that are hurting to people. Now, the dust of the elections have settled. Now is no longer the time for speeches. Now is no longer the time for words. Now is the time to work for the good of the people."
BM Lucille Lagunay: "We Boholanos take pride in invoking the names of Dagohoy, Tamblot, and Garcia to paint a rose-colored picture of our province and its people. But oftentimes, their names are used in vanity. It's about time we give back meaning to their names, and continue the work they began."
Atty. Jamie Villamor: "As a public servant working behind the scenes in the halls of power in the national government for considerable years, it is my unwavering commitment that I offer no less the excellence and honor which our fellow Boholanos expect of us - my knowledge, skills, training and experience I've had working. And as a neophyte provincial legislator, I consider this a privilege to be working with esteemed, and seasoned politicians who I look forward to learn more from, and work with."
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