The newly-opened Maoyon Firefly Watching at Barangay Maoyon, Puerto Princesa City brings more opportunities to its local residents, giving them more hope to earn for their day-to-day living.
Maribel S. Binas, president of the Maoyon Community Based Sustainable Tourism Inc., said that the project will give a lot of benefits to their community members and they are thankful to the Tourism Office of the Puerto Princesa City for its support.
“Inaasahan po namin na ito po’y hindi po una at huli. Alam po namin ang City Tourism Office po ay laging sumasabaybay sa amin at nandiyan ang kanilang suporta sa amin. Alam po namin na hindi lang po kami makikinabang kungdi ang [buong] community po,” Binas said.
The soft opening of the firefly-watching gathered crowds of tourists and locals from Puerto Princesa City.
“I did enjoy the firefly-watching. As I saw the glimmering lights from the fireflies, I could say how beautiful they are. The tour is very relaxing and I could really feel the cold breeze,” said Kent Janaban, who was one of those who experienced the firefly watching.
For Maoyon Barangay Captain Wilfredo Poligrates Jr., the project will be very beneficial to the community and they are hopeful in sustaining it.
“Talagang nakikita ko ang success sa panimulang ito at nakikita ko din kung gaano kahalaga ang maitutulong nito sa aming barangay, ganun din sa aming komunidad. Sisikapin namin sa pamumunuan ko na mapapangalagaan ang proyektong ito,” said Poligrates.
At the time of the soft opening, there were eight motorbancas used in the tour. But according to the Barangay Captain, they are expecting to have more bancas to be used and will have uniform design and painting according to their plan.
“We are encouraging the tourists, the travel agencies, all tourism players to venture, to get closer sa nature through Maoyon River,” said Cynthia Amurao, head of the City Tourism Office.
Amurao also added that the carrying capacity of the tour for a start is around 100 a night and the maximum can reach 500, but due to limited facilities, more investors are needed to address the gap.
“We are also encouraging investors lalo na iyong may properties dito to help us develop river cruising with firefly watching and stargazing,” Amurao said.
Aside from the Puerto Princesa City Tourism Office, Astoria Palawan, the Number 1 Hotel in Puerto Princesa according to the Trip Advisor and is also a Traveler’s Choice 2019 Winner, fully supported the soft opening through its General Manager Jocelyn Suarez.
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