BATANGAS CITY – Travel around the scenic and panoramic Taal Volcano landscape would soon be convenient for travelers, tourists and constituents once the proposed Taal Tourism Belt plan would get the nod of investors and project proponents.
Jenelyn A. Aguilera, Batangas public information office chief, disclosed to the Philippine News Agency on Friday the provincial government’s ambitious tourism project that would interconnect the lakeshore towns around the world-renowned “smallest volcano within a volcanic lake,” providing domestic and foreign tourists a breath-taking view of the volcano protected landscape and several other tourism sites.
“Isa sa mga pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas ang turismo, kung kaya naman naghihikayat ito ng iba’t ibang mamumuhunan na makatutulong sa paglikha ng mga trabaho at negosyo para sa pagpapalago ng ekonomiya ng lalawigan (This is one of the provincial government’s focus on tourism, that’s why the proposed project invites investors to help in generating jobs and promote trade and industry to spur the economy of the province),” Aguilera said.
She said the proposed Taal Tourism Belt plan was presented during the Provincial Development Council Full Meeting at the Provincial Capitol on Aug. 30, where project proponents RRPayumo, Partners Architects and Green Square Properties Corporation presented the plan.
She said the plan entails the establishment of tourism zones surrounding Taal Lake, taking into consideration environmental laws and the scope in the protected areas and landscapes in identifying the tourist attractions and landmarks.
The tourism zones cover the Taal Lakeshore towns of Alitagtag, Cuenca, Mataas na Kahoy, Balete, Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Lipa City, Sta. Teresita and Tanauan City.
According to the Taal Tourism Belt planners, the lakeshore cities and municipalities would be connected by land and water through a circumferential road. The road will be constructed around Taal Lake coastline areas that provide easy and convenient travel for tourists, travellers and commuters.
The proposed plan includes a ferry port that will connect the municipalities by water transport, traversing the lake to and from the ports. A lakeside cable car connection from Tagaytay City is also planned to provide tourists and cable car riders an amazing view at high altitude of the volcano, lake and the surrounding ridges, highlands and coastal tourism sites.
Aguilera also divulged additional features of the proposed tourism belt project, which are coordinated closely with the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office headed by Atty. Sylvia M. Marasigan; and Provincial Board Member Claudette Ambida-Alday, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislative council) Committee on Tourism, History, Culture and Arts. They include themed museums, restaurants and recreational areas in the towns and cities along the circumferential road, in addition to sprucing up commercial spaces and hotels – which could generate jobs and provide economic dynamism in the areas. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
