ILOILO – Prohibitive prices of seafoods. Lack of serviceable restrooms. These two concerns threaten the Gigantes group of islands, a fledgling tourism destination in the northern municipality of Carles.
“Their seafoods are more expensive than those from Roxas City,” lamented Regional Director Helen Catalbas, citing the information that reached her office.
Roxas City is the acknowledged “seafood capital” of the Philippines due to its abundant seafoods that attracts tourists.
Catalbas also expressed concern over the lack of water in the few restrooms available to tourists in Gigantes which boasts of white-sand beaches.
“Kun magamit ka comfort room or maligo ka, mapahakot ka tubig. Sukton ka kay wala sing provision nga tubi,” said Catalbas.
The lack of toilet is what’s worrying the Department of Tourism (DOT) much. Catalbas expressed concern over the possible increase in the level of coliform bacteria in Gigantes’ waters.
“I recommend the voluntary temporary closure of Gigantes to save it,” said Catalbas.
Gigantes’ environmental concerns should not reach the level of Boracay Island that it must be ordered closed by the national government, she stressed.
The government closed Boracay for six months last year from April to October for a massive rehabilitation.
Catalbas recommended three months of closure to clean Gigantes up and put up the necessary facilities such as toilets.
This was not the first time Catalbas recommended a temporary closure of the Gigantes. In July last year she suggested a “self-closure” of tourism establishments there after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) bared rising coliform levels in the area due to the dearth of toilets and adequate waste disposal system.
Catalbas said she would call the attention of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. so that Gigantes’ concerns would be addressed fast in coordination with the local government of Carles, DOT and DENR.
Mayor Siegfredo Betita of Carles welcomed Catalbas’ recommendation.
“I’m not objecting,” he said although he clarified that his local government has been gradually addressing the environmental concerns such as putting up a materials recovery facility were solid wastes should be sorted out.
Betita acknowledged that DOT could further help Gigantes.
“They should come here and work hand in hand with us. Bag-uhanon pa lang kami. We do not know kun ano ang standards. Tudluan sila (resort owners),” said Betita.
The Gigantes island chain consists of about 10 islands; the two largest are Gigantes Norte (North Gigantes) and Gigantes Sur (South Gigantes).
The island chain has four villages – Asluman (834 families), Granada (771 families), Gabi (613 families), and Lantangan (1,054 families) – with nearly 18,000 residents./PN