Despite the community restrictions due to COVID-19 last year, tourist arrivals in the four tourist destinations in E. B. Magalona contributed to a high number of tourist arrivals in the municipality in 2021.
These four establishments, namely, Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail in Barangay Tomongtong, and I-Kulotz Payag Kainan and Mini-Resort, Lucita’s Garden Café and Restaurant, and Punong Gary’s Place, all in Barangay San Jose, collectively gained 26,718 visitors last year, records of the Municipal Tourism Office showed.
This figure earned the Municipality of E. B. Magalona a plaque of recognition from the Provincial Government for being the 5th Highest Contributing Local Government Unit (Municipal Level) for 2021 for Same Day Visitors of Negros Occidental.
Ma. Teresa Alvarez, designated municipal tourism officer, received the plaque from the Provincial Capitol during the Appreciation and Fellowship Night at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall last week, as part of the Provincial Tourism Week.
Mayor Marvin Malacon said, “This award shows that we are on the right track in terms of tourism development. This further inspires us to work harder in order to sustain our tourism industry.”
The plaque was signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena. Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, who represented the governor, and Decena presented the award to Alvarez, who was accompanied by Norie Santillan, assistant registration officer of the Local Civil Registrar’s Office.
Witnessing the presentation of plaque was Arwin Paul Lingat, president of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP).*
