CATEEL, Davao Oriental —The challenge brought about by Super Typhoon (international name Boopha) on December 4, 20012 has become the opportunity for the people of Davao Oriental to showcase the best of the Mandaya people.
Truth is, the tourism industry became more vibrant and its people became stronger and closer to one another.
Then Provincial Governor, now First District Congress Rep. Corazon Malanyaon personally supervized the restoration and rehabilitation effort, specially monitoring the psycho-social being of the survivors, says Information Officer Karen Lou Deloso.
The super typhoon damaged the municipalities of Baganga, Cateel and Boston.
The once devastated province has regained its strength. This time, a much stronger people bracing for more vibrant region in terms of coastal tourism, highlighting marine protection and conservation.
Barangay Captain Romeo Apostol of Central Bangaga said, “among nakita ang panaghi-usa sa among tribu sa pagbarog pagkahuman sa Pablo, karon tanan kami nagalihuk aron maprotektahan ang kinaiyaham ug among nakita ang among kalambigitan sa natad sa turismo.”
After the typhoon, the Sunrise Boulevard in Bangaga, the river view par and Aliwagwag falls in Cateel and the Pacific view Park in Boston were restored, but this time the humanitarian and development concept of “building Back Better” was strongly implemented.
The tourist destinations were restored and artistically improved which resulted to 700, 000 tourist arrivals from January to November in 2017.
Sunrise boulevard in Bangaga and the Cateel river view was just an ordinary bare “baywalk” when the provincial government restored the area but it turned out to be fantastic tourist destination with a defined seawalls. The remaining mangroves are preserved where tourist can relax.
Engr. Ernesto Garay, chief of the Barangay Affairs Support Services of the provincial governor’s office described that urban planning has been properly laid out after the typhoon. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified the safe zones as against the no build zone. The relocation sites were constructed in compliance with the agency’s recommendation and turned out to be organized.
Engr, Ma. Victoria Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the governor who is also the Assistant Provincial Planning Coordinator said “The devastated buildings and houses were mostly abandoned. There are those who constructed new building but it is in conformity with the building code and follows the standard because they are now aware of the safety measures”.
Deloso, emphasized that the provincial government led personally supervised and sit down with experts to ensure that the restoration and rehabilitation effort of all programs and projects coordinated with the province are properly implemented.
The tourism players in the province and the village leaders are now aware of the provincial tourism plan and they now value every bit of the Mandaya culture and the rich history of our province, Rodriguez added.
After five years, Davao Oriental has regained its life with Mandaya people rising from the rubbles of Pablo preserving mother nature with a peaceful environment and resources preserved.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
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