Arroyo allots P10M for Caraga eco-tourism development

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday allotted some P10 million for grassroots entrepreneurs involved in the development of the Caraga region as an eco-tourism destination. A Malacañang statement Wednesday night said small loans like P200,000 will be released in batches for projects catering to tourists such as the development of resorts and souvenir shops. "Because of the region's tourism potential aside from Mindanao being developed as the 'Food Basket in the South,' and of course mining and eco-tourism, I am allotting P10 million for grassroots entrepreneurs for eco-tourism projects in the Caraga," she said. "Let's see what will be developed. What is important is that there are businesses in these places," she added. She noted that while the region offers a lot of tourist destinations such as the Linging Island, Dako Island and Mampon Island, among many others, that are favored surfing sites and powdery white sands, "what is important is there must be a hub." Also, she said it is also important that tourists are able to visit these tourist destinations in the region thus the need to have good roads and airports. If the region is developed as an eco-tourism destination, more jobs would be created, thereby improving the lives of the poor in the region, she said. Mrs Arroyo will formally open Thursday the first Siargao Game Fishing Invitational Competition that would be participated in by some 70 anglers from the Philippines, the United States, Australia and Malaysia. - GMANews.TV