By Leo Udtohan
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The Virgin Island is back to its natural beauty. No more food vendors on the sandbar. Photo: Jhelmar Jala
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Eyesore no more.
That's how residents and tourists felt when makeshift food stalls were removed at the famous Virgin Island in Panglao town.
The new look of the sandbar means it is now restored to its original and pristine beauty.
Jocelyn Cabatos-Orcullo, a legal researcher, said having no structures at the area fits in the definition of a "Virgin."
"By the looks of it, the island is Virgin. Can we keep it this way?" said Orcullo of the new face of the sandbar she saw on the social media.
Romie Darunday-Bullecer, an optometrist, said it was a nice decision to remove the structures.
"Very beautiful view!! The sandbar can be more appreciated without the disturbing structures. This is a wise decision by Panglao Mayor. Leave it this way and see that more tourists will appreciate this!! All is well that ends well," she said on Facebook.
Panglao Mayor Edgardo "Boy" Arcay had prohibited vendors and other tourism activities starting Wednesday after a complaint on pricey food became viral in the social media.
"Virgin Island is only for sightseeing," he said.
The inter-agency meeting presided by Gov. Aris Aumentado had a unanimous decision to ban the operation of the tourism activities in the Virgin island.
"While LGU of Panglao has the primary jurisdiction over the establishments and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) over the island, the Provincial Government of Bohol, to the extent possible, will step in to ensure that there is a strike of balance and harmony in the enforcement of environment protection laws, tourism standards and the welfare of all stakeholders - including the tourists, vendors and the public in general," said Aumentado.
"We need to fix this because it's embarassing for our tourists and visitors, " he added.
Board member Jamie Villamor, chairman on environment and natural resources, said it's about balance of conservation efforts and tourism.
Villamor, who authored the resolution to create a task force to look into the incident, said the Virgin Island is under the intensified protection of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018, Presidential Decree 1081 and other existing laws, rules and regulations.
She said generally under existing environmental laws, certain regulation on commercial activities is in place such that multiple use resources may be subjected to limited commercial activity.
"Are vendors in the sandbar and on waters considered as limited commercial activity? Is the Virgin Island classified as multiple use protected area? If yes, was it officially declared? Otherwise, there has to be total prohibition as such is a protected area with strict use," Villamor asked.
The overpricing controversy became viral online after a woman posted on Facebook account that her friend's group of 13 who had lunch last July 29 paid a total of P26,100 for the seafood and drinks that they ordered
However, the food vendors at the Virgin Island denied selling seafood to tourists at exorbitant prices.
To help the displaced vendors, the
Panglao Municipal Tourism Council (MPTC) recommended to the municipal government that they can hold a "food street or night market" at Panglao Plaza where the vendors can sell their products.
"To be fair and just for the affected vendors as well, they shall be able to continuously sell out whatever perishable stock on hand," the MPTC statement said.
The night market will coincide with the celebration of Hudyaka Festival celebration for the annual town fiesta this month.
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Most memorable lines from our newsmakers (and why we are moved, if we are moved):
Joeper Colubio on the pricey food at Virgin Island: " We have no intention nga daoton sila. Tarung lang unta ilang pricing klaruhon unta nila para walay laing mabiktima. Nice kaayo ang Bohol. I hope tanan maka-experience sa Bohol kay nindot kaayo."
Fidel Clenista, vendor at Virgin Island: " Wala mi nagpalabi sa among presyo. Ang iyang gibuhat namo mawad-an mig panginabuhian. Daghan mi diri madamay. "
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| Your media people at the Virgin Island last Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Photo: Helen Castaño |
Foreign and domestic tourists continue to flood the Virgin Island despite the pricey food controversies.
"And finally we are back here with Virgin Island.. And its back to its pristine nature and look you can see illegal structures have been dismantled.. .. And so happy this is paradise again, back to its virgin state," said Bohol's seasoned host Raul Gatal who visited the sandbar on Friday.
Gatal was with other regional and some Bohol media for an ocular visit.
Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte said that vendors had many violations including health and sanitation.
She also said the incident was a wake-up call to the entire tourism industry.
"This wake-up call has triggered a lot of action from the long overdue action from the local tourism stakeholders," said Caberte.
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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.
