Tourism Sec. Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia-Frasco supports move to rehabilitate the Alona Beach stretch in Panglao town following her brief visit to the province on Dec. 7, 2022.
Frasco went out of her way to check for herself the state of Alona Beach and said that she will extend any support she can give for the rehabilitation of the area which is Panglao town’s top tourist destination.
Frasco toured the entire stretch of Alona Beach together top provincial and town officials.
Frasco saw the areas within the beach which need to be rehabilitated due to soil erosion. She also saw the palm trees where roots are already exposed to the elements.
Frasco received a position paper coming from the private sector containing a rehabilitation plan for Alona Beach. The local government unit reportedly supports the position paper coming from the private sector to ensure the rehabilitation of the area.
In relation to this, Frasco has ordered the officials of the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to validate the issues and to look for possible solutions to maintain the beauty of the said tourism area.
“Nianhi ko dinhi aron makita nako sa akong mga mata unsa gyud ang nahitabo dinhi sa Alona. Gilantaw pod nato dinhi [ang] usa sa pina kaimportante nga stretches of beach sa Pilipinas. Nabantog na gyud ning Alona sa tibook nasud. Mao nga importante nga matan-aw nato ug unsa tinood nga sitwasyon dinhi ug mapaminaw nato unsa ang kahimtang ug matan-aw unsay mabuhat sa National Government aron maremedy ang sitwasyon,” Frasco told reporters following the inspection of Alona Beach.
Frasco is the daughter of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. She is the former mayor of Liloan town in Cebu before getting appointed as Tourism Secretary.
Prior to her visit to Alona Beach, Frasco led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tourist Rest Area in Poblacion, Dauis which is going to be built near the tennis court. Frasco said the facility will provide clean restrooms for those who visit the province. The Tourist Rest Area shall also have a pasalubong center that will promote local products and Filipino artistry.