AT A COFFEE shop in Bacolod City gathered some “oldies but goodies” guys who were travel stakeholders. They sipped cappuccino and munched ensaymada.
A hotel manager, resort operator, tour guide, travel agent, and me took an al fresco cool relaxation.
***
Their travels out of Negros Occidental were to Iloilo City and Dumaguete City.
In Dumaguete City, they love much the Boulevard where you could take your breakfast facing the sunrise or sipping chilled beer after sunset.
***
“My family misses our yearly travel to Dumaguete City, to scuba diving sites, or to engage in whale watching,” said the travel agent. “We love our bites of sans rival and other desserts out there,” he added.
“Agree. Dumaguete City is simple, laid back. They don’t have taxicabs but they have comfortable tricycles. I pay a driver to tour me around,” added the travel agent.
***
“My latest trip was a surprise. I noticed a beach volleyball area enjoyed by the residents near the Boulevard bayside. A brilliant idea,” said the hotel manager.
“By the way, there is a proposed reclamation project in Dumaguete City by developers along with the able and active city mayor, lawyer Felipe Remollo,” the hotelier added.
***
“Yes, I heard about that and they call it the Smart City of Dumaguete. It is said to be a 174-hectare reclamation project with a coastal road and seawall to prevent any erosion. This is a brilliant idea to expand business and tourism because Dumaguete has a limited land area,” said the hotelier.
***
“If that is the case then there will be more travel excitement in that city. I got word that this Remollo was designated as President of Clark Development Corp. by then President Gloria (Arroyo). I heard he is a corporate lawyer,” said the resort operator.
***
“This will be of great benefit to the young generation. They will reap the benefits of this government project. It will swing up the economic, spur employment opportunities and sway business tycoons to list down Dumaguete City in their future investments,” said the travel agent.
***
“I have met, talked and seen the sincere efforts of Dumaguete City mayor Felipe Remollo. There are no cordon sanitaire in his office. There is no air of arrogance among his fellow public servants in the city hall. They are all friendly. No wonder Dumaguete City is dubbed the ‘City of Gentle People,’” I said.
***
“For decades, Dumaguete City remained at a standstill. This futuristic mind of wisdom of the mayor will surely spur business and employment activities in Negros Oriental. Just look at Iloilo City where Mayor (Jerry) Treñas is a sincere public servant. His brilliant governance makes the economic wheel moving,” I pointed out.
***
This column greets Rosalie Treñas, Ariston Minez Jr., Jacqui Antonio, Kathy Aguilar, Charles Lim, Gabe Tumboc, Roland Ramos, Rolando Ting, Mar Montinola, and Don Ramos./PN
