Barangay VI-A of Victorias City received Financial Assistance from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental for the development of the Barangay VI-A Mangrove Eco-Trail on July 25.
The barangay council of Barangay VI-A gratefully accepted ₱1.2 million wherein ₱800,000 is allocated for the establishment of a multipurpose hall, and ₱400,000 is for the Mangrove Boardwalk.
Present in the activity were Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, PEMO Head Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio, Victorias City Administrator Lindolf De Castro, Councilor Dino Jose Maria Acuña, Councilor Dexter Senido, CPSU Victorias Campus Administrator Noel Fordente, Ikaw Ako Foundation, Inc., department heads, PEMO staff, Victorias City PNP, Barangay VI-A council, and local citizens of Barangay VI-A.
Punong Barangay Claro acknowledged the unity and cooperation of the Barangay VI-A citizens that fueled the progress of the Eco-Trail. With the help of the workers in cleaning and mangrove planting, they not only protect the area from calamities but boosted the City’s Tourism.
Hon. Claro also shared that the walkway going to the Eco-Trail is a project built from the ₱300,000 budget given by the provincial government to the barangays. The punong barangay is blissed to see that they are now harvesting the fruit of their labor.
Victorias City Tourism Officer Rica Calseña was proud to disclose that last year, the Eco-Trail welcomed 4,537 day tourists, and this year, from January to June, 6300 tourists visited the spot. Calseña further revealed that the city will give a counterpart budget on top of the province’s assistance to establish the walkway going to the Monitoring Tower where Guimaras Strait, Tañon Strait, and the coast of Manapla are visible.
PEMO Head Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio also shared her delight to be a part of the Eco-Trail’s progress. She hoped for it to be another success story of eco-tourism, same as with Tomongtong’s in E.B. Magalona. Her office is more than willing to build alliances for more programs to generate more income.
As Governor Lacson officially turned over the ceremonial check, he promised that the province is ready to continuously help as long as the projects are liquidated, evident, and long-term. He also added that if the beneficiary seeks to ask for more financial assistance, it is better to do it this year, as the budget of the province for next year is decreased.
Councilor Acuña, the committee head on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and Ecology, concluded the ceremonial turn-over by expressing gratitude to the provincial government. He is proud that Barangay VI-A is finally getting on the map with its recent accomplishments.
