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| President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Meeting with Local Leaders and the Community at the Sigma Municipal Plaza in Sigma, Capiz on Wednesday (February 20, 2013). (Photo by: Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
ROXAS City — President Benigno Aquino III has directed Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. to ensure implementation of a project that will make Capiz an agri-tourism destination.
This was conveyed by the President in Wednesday’s meeting with local leaders and the community at the Sigma Civic Center in Sigma town.
The idea to develop the province as an agri-tourism site was an offshoot of Aquino’s engagement with Gov. Victor Tanco and other local officials at a seaside restaurant.
“In Manila, there are live seafood markets where customers choose and have it cooked on a preferred menu,” Aquino noted.
It will be more fun if local seafood restaurant patrons will be given the chance to catch seafood of their choice from their natural habitat, he added.
“Kung magkaroon ako ng oras, gusto ko ma-experience ’yan (If I have the time, I’d like to try that),” he said.
In 2011, the President urged the local government officials and the private sector to work with the national government in developing Capiz’s tourism potentials, especially its seafood, to lure tourists going to Boracay to choose Capiz as their next tourist destination.
The upcoming collaboration of the departments of Agriculture and Tourism is a big boost in the provincial government’s efforts in attaining a “Captivating Capiz” development vision and battle cry, officials said.
Tourism development and promotion is one of the major thrusts of the Tanco administration.
Capiz is dubbed the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines,” boasting its 80-kilometer coastline and wide expanse of swampy lands easily converted into fishponds.
It held one of the richest fishing grounds and a major contributor in the aquamarine industry of the country. (Alex Lumaque, PIA-6 Capiz/PN)
