BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The help of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was sought by Mayor Mark Golez for a tourism development plan for barangays Patag and Guimbalaon, that are among the prime destinations of tourists in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
In August last year, the city government of Silay ordered the closure of all establishments in Patag and Guimbalaon for operating without business permits, among others, inside a protected area.
Golez said yesterday that he furnished Puyat with the Patag-Guimbalaon development plan for possible assistance, that aimed at regulating activities and promoting the tourism destination areas.
He also said that the Protected Area Management Board approved the resumption of operations of mountain resorts, coffee shops, and lodging houses, among others, and the city is reviewing this. The city government of Silay requires owners of establishments to submit development plans that include the structural design, drainage plan, and other similar plans and designs.*