BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The local government of La Castellana, Negros Occidental formally opened to the public the giant statues of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as a giant cross at the Mandayao Panorama Park in the town’s Barangay Mansalanao.
Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan led on Friday last week the opening of the site, which she said would surely attract not just pilgrims but also more tourists to the town.
The site was opened just in time for the observance of Holy Week which begins this Sunday, April 10.
According to Mangilimutan, admission to the site is free for now, although reasonable tariffs may be imposed in the future.
“Ang LGU nag gasto so gusto ta nga may [return of investment],” Mangilimutan said.
The funds raised would be used to pay for other public projects of the town.
The site’s completion is only Phase One. Mangilimutan revealed that Phase Two will see the construction of an ecumenical chapel, and relocating the nearby cafés and restaurants further down.
They will also create a garden around the Giant Cross, and a tourism office and small market would be erected where all of the town’s produce would be displayed.
Mangilimutan added that in two to three years, they envision the area to be a tourism enterprise zone, which can attract more investors.
La Castellana is a 1st Class municipality in Negros Occidental and is located 63.4 kilometers southeast of Bacolod City./PN
