ILOILO CITY: Local and international outdoor sports enthusiasts will gather at the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras for the third leg of the International Open Water Swim Circuit: Experience Water Visayas on June 29-30, boosting the campaign to make the province a premier sports destination and promoting environmental sustainability. 'It's a different kind of event in the sense that it is a tourism event, but at the same time (it) focuses on the conservation and protection of our marine environment,' Department of Tourism 6 (Western Visayas) Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez said in a press conference on Wednesday. While Western Visayas is endowed with abundant natural resources, Rodriguez underscored the importance of a functioning and healthy environment to promote tourism better. 'Tourism would be non-existent if there is no functioning and healthy environment,' she said. In partnership with the Zamboanga Open Water Swimming Club, Inc., the first two legs of the s wim circuit were hosted by Sipalay City in Negros Occidental on Feb. 18 and Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo on April 14, gathering local and international swimmers as young as seven years old. The Guimaras leg will have three categories - 2.5km, 5km, and 7km - around the island. 'Our participants will come not just from Region 6. There are from Mindanao - Zamboanga, Iligan, Sultan Kudarat, Davao, Cebu, and Manila. So, from all over the country,' Rodriguez added. It will be at the multiple-use zone of the marine reserve to prevent the destruction of marine corals. Provincial Board Member Felipe Hilan Nava, chair of the committee on tourism, history, and culture, said hosting the event is another natural asset for Guimaras. The province, Nava said, has a lot to offer in terms of sea activities, although it already hosted biking activities in the past. 'We are maximizing the potential of Guimaras. We still have lots of assets that need to be utilized and this international open swim completion is another asset for Guimaras,' he said. Nueva Valencia Mayor Paul Vicente G. De La Cruz, meanwhile, said the event would allow them to showcase their municipality and bring more opportunities as it is labeled the tourism capital of the province. 'We consider this as a big opportunity for us to promote our tourism industry. The Taklong Island National Marine Reserve is something that we are proud of in our municipality,' he said. The organizers offer no cash prizes to the winners of the swim competition because it is more of an advocacy event. The top three finishers, however, will receive medals. The fourth leg of the event is set in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan on Sept. 22. Source: Philippines News Agency
Int’l water activity to showcase potentials of Guimaras
Search
Advertisement
Latest Posts
- Calbayog 1st city in E. Visayas declared as rebel-free September 13, 2024
- GSIS assures member data safety after security breach September 13, 2024
- PAL to launch Cebu-Osaka flights in December September 13, 2024
- DOH: No mpox cases in Bicol September 13, 2024
- 4 convicted for P6.4-B shabu smuggling in 2017 September 13, 2024
- Classes in 3 Bicol provinces suspended due to bad weather September 13, 2024
- Batangueños benefit from gov’t aid on PBBM’s birthday September 13, 2024
- PBBM bday gift: P3.19-B aid, free services at Level 3 public hospitals September 13, 2024
- Microsoft 365 issue affects thousands of global users September 13, 2024
- Senator: Quiboloy arraignment a big step to absolute justice September 13, 2024
Recent News
- Calbayog 1st city in E. Visayas declared as rebel-free September 13, 2024
- GSIS assures member data safety after security breach September 13, 2024
- PAL to launch Cebu-Osaka flights in December September 13, 2024
- DOH: No mpox cases in Bicol September 13, 2024
- 4 convicted for P6.4-B shabu smuggling in 2017 September 13, 2024
Categories
Advertisement
Archives
Categories
Advertisement
Search
Latest News
- Calbayog 1st city in E. Visayas declared as rebel-free September 13, 2024
- GSIS assures member data safety after security breach September 13, 2024
- PAL to launch Cebu-Osaka flights in December September 13, 2024
- DOH: No mpox cases in Bicol September 13, 2024
- 4 convicted for P6.4-B shabu smuggling in 2017 September 13, 2024
- Classes in 3 Bicol provinces suspended due to bad weather September 13, 2024
- Batangueños benefit from gov’t aid on PBBM’s birthday September 13, 2024
- PBBM bday gift: P3.19-B aid, free services at Level 3 public hospitals September 13, 2024
Archives
Categories
Advertisement
Recent Posts
- Calbayog 1st city in E. Visayas declared as rebel-free September 13, 2024
- GSIS assures member data safety after security breach September 13, 2024
- PAL to launch Cebu-Osaka flights in December September 13, 2024
- DOH: No mpox cases in Bicol September 13, 2024
- 4 convicted for P6.4-B shabu smuggling in 2017 September 13, 2024
- Classes in 3 Bicol provinces suspended due to bad weather September 13, 2024
- Batangueños benefit from gov’t aid on PBBM’s birthday September 13, 2024