Hotel soon to rise in Mantalongon
Mantalongon in the town of Dalaguete, which is referred to as “Little Baguio of Cebu,” will soon have a facility to answer to the accommodation needs of tourists.
Jose Maria Canton, administrator of the Almagro Estate where the Cristo Rey Mountain Resort is situated, said that a 10-room hotel will be built on a portion of said property.
This despite the fact that barangay leaders, headed by chairman Ruel Reynes, vowed to block any events in the barangay similar to that of the “Pasyon sa Mantalongon” that was staged recently.
Canton said that Mantalongon is a “great tourism potential because of its cool climate and abundant vegetables.” And that they are planning to make the “Pasyon…” a yearly affair to invite more tourist visits in Mantalongon.
“As a tourism attaché once, I had successfully promoted the Philippines and brought in tourists. Why not do the same in my own place?” Canton said.
Mantalongon was declared “summer capital of Cebu” in a resolution of the Provincial Board in 2006. But it was noticed that Mantalongon lacked the infrastructure to house tourists as these visitors and or guests still have to go down, 12 kilometers away, to the Poblacion. The hotel, Canton said, is hoped to be finished by next year.
He also mentioned of the building of two-room cottages at specified areas in the Almagro Estate by private investors.
The Almagros owned 700 of the 900-hectare total land area of barangay Mantalongon.
Canton said his family used to run an abaca plantation in Mantalongon but later on ventured into the propagation of anthuriums when nylon became a tough competition for abaca ropes.
Meanwhile, Reynes who is a relative of Canton, said that he and the barangay council will be protesting any undertakings similar to the “Pasyon.”
He reasoned out that the event “disrespected the activities and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church aside from the fact that the organizers failed to seek permit from the barangay to stage said play.”
In fact, none of the barangay tanods of Mantalongon graced the activity on Holy Friday, supposedly to ensure peace and order there.
Dalaguete Mayor Andrade Alcantara, however, gave instructions for other barangays to send their tanods to Mantalongon to augment the two teams assigned by the town police. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV
Tags: Cebu, Cristo Rey Mountain Park, Hotel, Mantalongon, Pasyon sa Mantalongon, Tourism, Travel
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