BEFORE the end of this year, Cebu will have a new adventure and eco-tourism facility that will serve as source of funding for reforestation projects in the province.
The facility, which is yet to be named, will be located on a 13-hectare timberland area in Barangays Gaas and Magsaysay in Balamban, Cebu. It is targeted to be operational by November.
The Canton family secured a Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas for the area for 25 years. The Cantons have allocated P15 million as start-up capital for the eco-tourism facility.
Oscar Canton, founder of Cebu-based Carsons Construction, recalled a report by the National Geographic, describing Cebu as the worst climate hotspot in the entire Philippines.
“We should do something about it. Since my family is not financially capable to provide a substantial revenue stream devoted for reforestation projects, we decided to invest in eco-tourism,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
When the project becomes operational, he said that at least 20 percent of revenues will be used to fund reforestation projects, especially in central Cebu where a large portion of the province’s watershed forest reserves is located.
“We already received the go-signal from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. They are very happy about the project. It will not cost them any centavo,” he said.
Employment
The Canton family came up with plans for the facility a month and a half ago. The Cantons approached Mindanao-based Camp Sabros to supply the facility’s equipment and provide safety training to its staff. The future eco-tourism project will employ at least 12 residents.
The first and main component of the new investment is a 700-meter zipline that will be twice as long as the one at the Danao Adventure Park in Danao, Bohol.
It will also feature an adventure academy where students, professionals and can embark on adventure activities as part of their leadership or teambuilding seminars.
“We hope to develop among them the love for the environment through actual experience with nature,” said Barry, Oscar’s son, who will serve as the facility’s chief operations officer.
Eventually, the facility will feature more activities such as caving, river trekking and organic farming.
“We will try and make do with what we have. We received feedback from enthusiasts who say that the caving adventure in Barangay Gaas is very good but the system needs improvement,” Barry said.
He observed that many adventure enthusiasts and even hotels are clamoring for more adventure and eco-tourism activities to offer their clients.
“When the facility is in place and made known, then it would be easy to market it,” he said.
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