Samal inaugurates P8.7-M boardwalk and staging area

DAVAO CITY — The Island Garden City of Samal on Sunday inaugurated its P8.7-milllion Sanipaan Boardwalk and Staging Area at Barangay. Tambo, Babak District.

The project is part of the PHP200M Eco-Tourism Development Project under the Sustainable Tourism Development Program of the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte, aligned with Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009.

Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib in his message during the ceremony said the provincial government supports the project as one of the tourism drivers of the province as Samal plays a major role in the region’s major tourism highway being the top destination of Davao del Norte and second in the Davao Region, as the record of the Department of Tourism XI reflects..

Jubahib said his administration supports all the endeavors of Samal “Because the city is a reflection of the development effort of the province, the solid waste management program and other areas of growth can be seen here. the same reason we want Samal to have a stable power supply to cater to the growing needs of the island.”

“This project will not only invite tourists, provide revenue but will also usher employment to our people here in Samal,” Mayor Al David uy emphasized.

“Iba pag maidevelop natin ang ating tourism industry kasi iba ang hakot ng tourism. Parang sabihin natin na head to toe yong maging income-generating natin. And this project, I hope, will become a beacon of hope for the present and coming generations,” he said.

Gov. Jubahib also mentioned the need for waste management and the development of basic necessities such as power and water systems in the city, which are also significant factors in attaining sustainable tourism.

The 216-meter boardwalk, tourist reception hall, and rehabilitation of parking facilities in Sanipaan Marine Park,Kaputian Beach Park, Bandera Natures Park, and the Aundanao Dive Site will form part of the P200-million package, Uy added.

“These projects will have a remarkable impact in the tourism and economic development of Samal, Uy emphasized. “It will help us bounceback from the impact of the pandemic,”

The event was attended by provincial officials, Sangguniang Panlungsod members headed by City Vice Mayor Lemuel T. Reyes, city department heads, barangay officials of Tambo headed by Barangay Captain Johnel L. Montes, the Sanipaan Pangkabuhayan Association, Bangkeros Sanipaan, the Management Committee of Sanipaan Marine Park, and residents of barangay Tambo.