By: Ardy Araneta Batoy
This edition of VOX POPULI is featuring the netizens’ reactions, responses and comments to the statement/question posted on the FB page of the Managing Editor of The Bohol Tribune.
The FB POST is: “Ning mahal na pud ang bayad sa floating restos sa Loboc. Unsay imong opinion, sano/sana?”
The answers, comments and reactions posted by the netizens are:
∙ from Bai Madrinan: Attention mga torista. Pag baon mug daghan kuarta…..
∙ from Marvee Anthony Sumaylo: It has become very obvious that I am not their target market and maybe even most nato. Pag adto naho pang balay nga sud-an ra ilang handa og ang experience ky so-so and not that unique to me, but thinking about it, unique siya para sa mga dili taga diri. So I understand that price but I wouldn’t be honest if I said I wasn’t insulted.
∙ from Josever Sumaylo to Marvee Anthony Sumaylo: Basta lang ang mga food
∙ from Raul Gatal: It’s a capitalist venture so I understand. Dili man sad ako ila target so ok Ra… As for those who are contemplating whether to take the cruise or not, it’s their choice. Walay pugsanay
∙ from Nenette D. Schlatmann-Sodusta: Maam, dapat cguro naay different Prices for lokal tourists ug s mga foreign tourists… cguro ang angay lng maApektuhan sa price increase ang mga Banyaga lng unta. Pwde mn cguro n, di ba?.?
∙ from Nenette D. Schlatmann-Sodusta: Respect
∙ from Benjie Oliva: Ug gimahalan dili mosakay! Period! Pangita kuno mo ug River cruise nga tagb 18USD per Head with lunch, live music and Environmental fee included.
∙ from Procesa Maestrado Campos: Too much
∙ from Betty Jumawid: They should vary the price for domestic n foreigner especially ug taga bohol. Aron dlu costly for us mga pinoy lang.
∙ from Philip Bulilan: Ang outcome ana.. imbis na mudong sa loboc river cruise , mangita ug mas barato ang tourist.. mag opt sila na😉 adto n lng sa loay magriver cruise kay basin mas barato….
∙ from Stanley Hamilton Sevilla: Domestic or International it doesn’t matter, we also need to consider the expenses in running a business, as long as the services and food is great that’s totally okay. Just my opinion. And the above comment is exactly correct, as I quote “Ug Go mahalan dili mosskay” ana ka simple.
∙ from Mervin Mercado Dayonto to Stanley Hamilton Sevilla: Padaplin usa ang walay kaya mobayad.
∙ from Stanley Hamilton Sevilla to Mervin Mercado Dayon: Hehehe
∙ from Stanley Hamilton Sevilla to Mervin Mercado Dayon: This is what I learned from Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of hHighly Effective People. Habit 1, don’t dwell on the things that you can’t control like prices of goods and services for example. Focus on the things that you can control.
∙ from Paterno Jr Israel to Mervin Mercado Dayon: Mao gud adto ra sa daplin bawon ka’g luto ug inun-on tulingan nga mahal pod sakay’g gakit mora po’g ga cruise.
∙ from Mervin Mercado Dayon to Paterno Jr Israel: Mao jud adto ta suba magbawon ra.
∙ from Chris DP: Dili na moadto maam. Ha ha ha…Samot ang goso malagum
∙ from Nerio Oñes: Paabuta og 2k aron jamo nay mosud.
∙ from Mervin Mercado Dayon: nag change na ang motto from BEHOLD BOHOL to BE GOLD BOHOL.
∙ from Martin Mascariñas Tajale: Nindot pud unta kung naay significant discount ang mga local tourist nga mga taga Bohol isip privilege kunohay pud unta sa atong pagka isigkapaisano kay aron ba pud malipay ta ug madasig ta nga manghambog ug mangdani sa ubang mga turistang mga dili taga Bohol. Murag dakong bawas points ni sa mga local “word-of-mouth” endorsers sa maong resort kay managana na man sila mangimbitar sa ubang mga tourist kay mahal man. Days ago nag share pa gani kog video ni Joseph Gara nga recently nibisita silag balik sa Loboc River Cruise. Mauwaw naman hinuon ta nga motudo og pangimbitar sa mga nag message nato kay nagduhaduha na man hinuon silang mopadayon pa ba silag anhi sa Bohol karong summer vacation nila kay kuno nakabalita silag hing mahal kuno ang mga fees sa mga tourism establishments sa Bohol. Maglibog tag unsay maayong strategy nga gamiton; “Mahal tuod sa Bohol, pero nindot man sad kaayo.” Or, “Nindot man sad kaayo sa Bohol, medyo mahal lang.” Pero karon, tungod kay maglisod naman tang mga yanong local tourist nga makabalik didto tungod sa kamahal na sa ilang entrance fee, aw para sa bugas na lang nato gastuhon ng P 1K oi, total nakasuway naman pud tingale ng uban nato og adto didto.
∙ from Judith Uy Sumatra: Maayo unta naay manghatag ug lower prices nga floating restaurant that will cater to local tourists aron naay friendly competition. Pwede kaha mag pass ug ordinance ang SP Bohol or SB Loboc about regulating prices of floating restaurants and other tourist establishments?
∙ from Fe Marfe Jimenez: Kung foreigner ok lng ang presyo. Ang food ok food nila nga dili taga dre ky experience motilaw bsag mahal dollar man ila money. Palabon nlng gud nila dili tga dre.
∙ from Pilar Tero: Yes adto nlang sa loay ky nindot pa.
∙ from Corazon Gamorot: Bohol Dollar najud maam ards..bsin ug mo skip float na noon ang mga turista sa ka hang sa bayranan..
∙ from Dong Cris: SUBRA! Masuko nila ang kinaiyahan nga ilang gipalabian ug pahimulos…
∙ from Romulo Comiso: Not good for BOHOL Tourism’s Economy. For me not fair coz how about the Sr. Citizens gusto mag loboc river cruise pro pabayron ug 800 P head nko malaking pira na Yan, lisud Gani sa maintenance ipalit… so so mo decrease jud ang mga Sr. Mo tour sa loboc river tour y pay LABOT ang dili sr. Ug mga BATA so naay Dakong impact mam Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy hehe opinion ko lang Yan pudi mangyari pudi pud dili.
∙ from Judge Jennifer Chavez-Marcos: Mao lagi ni mam. Need gyud ang price regulation labi na sa mga tourist destinations. Otherwise sayon ra magpatuyang.
∙ from Argie Gonzaga Astronomo: Nindot unta pud mam Noh, nga 2 options ang boat or 2 categories:Cruise with Buffet Lunch, x Cruise without Buffet Lunch…Para which ever guest will decide
∙ from Marlene Gallo Estorosas: DILI NALANG MI MOSAKAY ANA. MANGALIGO NALANG MIG DAGAT UG MAGDALA KAUGALINGONG BAON.
∙ from Alma Bunachita Penales: Hahaha dili nata mo adto mam ARDS SA MGA WALAY PERA HAHAHA.
∙ from Maritess Bellezas Nazareno: Last namo sakay nila Mama Lydia, Papa Inting ug ang tibook pamilya 550/head pa to Mommy Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy! Mahala na diay karon!
∙ from Bobsie Rubillar Uy: I visited Lake Sebu recently ang ilang pama-agi, you pay the entrance fee. Naay pud silay floating resto, but ala carte ilang food. So you have to order your food before your schedule to board. In the end we spent less than 1K per head and we were able to eat their specialty. Just sharing.
∙ from Jo Se Phine to Bobsie Rubillar Uy: Nice ni.
∙ from Yaniham U Lee: Samot jud mam Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy maniguwang nalang ko ani dli pako kasakay ana
∙ from Pete Garcia: My observation is that, it’s a turn off idea, both for local and foreign visitors.
∙ from Marie Palapos to Pete Garcia: I agree Pete, recently I have several friends vacationing here & decided not to go w/ it kay too much pod ang fee
∙ from Pete Garcia: Mao gyud, it’s as if tanan maka afford sa ila presyo.
∙ from Marie Palapos to Pete Garcia: Bisag dollar earner dili maka afford.
∙ from Samuel Belderol: Tungod gihapon ni miss fundemic.
∙ from Daisy Dellosa: So far I am not interested to go there anymore.
∙ from Chidie Weder: Aw, ingna lang pwede Dili iapil sa kaon, kana Lang pamasahe musakay ra Mi…
∙ from Desiderio Asane: Nindot nga decision nga ilang gmahal pag ayo aron wala na mosakay, malooy sab ta sa kinaiyahan nga sobra na nga pag abuso nangalaka naman gani ang kadaplinan sa suba? Bisan bag o nga gtrabaho ang riprap, nasamot na hinoon.
∙ from Ma Dolores Bahan Galendez-Dahan: Ma’am Ards basin init initon na laman ang mga menu ky diyutay nay moanha… Bitao practical na lng pod… Anyway nagbalik balik man pod mi adtong tag 350 to 400 pa to…
∙ from Emie Aicrag: There’s a popular saying that goes “Don’t kill the hen that lays the golden egg”. The hen are the tourists and the suppose killers are the tour operators that exact exorbitant fees. It’s time for them to wake up before tourist shied away from this very popular tourist destination and never came back. Not all tourists are rich.
∙ from Gemma Teresa Neri – Lapay: Samot dili ko kasakay huhuh.
∙ from Felino Caro Columnas: Lisud i-promote kay sobra na ka mahal.
∙ from Marjorie Vitancor Abrea: For me ok ra mam kay ang purpose pod ra ba is to maintain the quality of service and highest standards of clients. Buffet pod bya ang lunch and considering nga mahal na karon ang tanan fresh produce. Based on my friend’s experience who recently visited Bohol, lami daw ang food and satisfied gyud daw sila sa floating resto sa Loboc. So hopefully they could maintain such reputation rather than makadungog tag negative feedback esp sa food tungod kay gitipid nila.
∙ from Martin Mascariñas Tajale: Nia ang ilang explanation sa pagpasaka nila sa ilang entrance fee: The price increase for Loboc River Cruise is a result of several factors that we feel are essential. Both the LGU Loboc & the Association of Loboc Floating Restaurant Operators (ALFRO) are doing their best to provide the necessary improvements for the Loboc River Cruise to be globally competitive. There have been increases in the operational costs, including the price of fresh ingredients, which the Commissary source locally to ensure the finest quality in our dishes. We are committed to supporting our local suppliers, and unfortunately, THEY TOO ARE DEALING WITH RISING COSTS. Besides, the food production has now been transferred to a multi-million, modern commissary to ensure food safety and hygiene. As well as to cater the demands of our increasing tourists arrival. We believe in investing in our staff as well. This means providing them with regular training to enhance their skills and improve the service they provide. We also believe in paying our staff a fair salary for their hard work. AS THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES, SO DO WAGES. Furthermore, to keep our unique floating restaurants in the best condition, ALFRO have had to invest in their maintenance, improvement and rebuilding an additional 10 boats after Typhoon Odette washed away some units. This also includes the repairs, and rehabilitation of the Docking Port which was damaged by the same typhoon. We understand that price increases are never welcome news, and we want to reassure you that this decision was not made lightly. To our Kababayans, like you, we too want to make the Boholanos proud of the Loboc River Cruise experience. Thank you and Mabuhay!
∙ from Ed Villafuerte: Nature is a God-Given Gift and it’s Free. Man has the ability to exploit what God has given to us. Let’s ponder on that.
Aside from netizens giving their comments, the following also expressed their reaction of “LIKE” to the statement:
Mel Malicse Micutuan, Osoy Castro, Rogie Suganob, Ricz Calvis Elicano-Vito, Yaniham U Lee, Marlene Gallo Estorosas, Pilar Tero, Haleil M. Romo, Chris DP, Eugene Malaran, Marvee Anthony Sumaylo, Bai Madrinan, Sherna Nicole Madronero Liray, Jennie Ingks, Andre Sarmiento, Mary Ann Doloritos Lomio, Cecil Celeste Cagabcab, Chc Beautech, Pat Pahang, Rene Salang Sarabia, Mindap Araneta, Elvie AraSol, Michael Bungabong, Mayette Signe Axmann, Stella Capio, Marj Cosmo Dinorog, Desiderio Asane, Marie Palapos, Violee Dano, Jervie Empe, Maria Teresa Monreal, Jovie B. Iyog, Manz Dominise, Rhodora Jo, Bobsie Rubillar Uy, Agnes Andoy Formento, Jennifer Chavez-Marcos, Mariaflores Clarete, Ma Antoniette T. Morgia, Mike Bungabong Omega, Fe Marfe Jimenez, Judith Uy Sumatra, Stanley Hamilton Sevilla, Philip Bulilan, Procesa Maestrado Campos, Jesdelton S. Romo, Alex Dehing, Leah Morales, Nenette D. Schlatmann-Sodusta, Maria Antonia Adaptar, Ma Consuelo Loquellano Clarete