Negros Occidental third district Rep. Francisco Benitez recently met with representatives from the Silay City government, Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6), Provincial Tourism Office, and Negros Occidental Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to discuss development plans for portions of Silay City’s Barangay Patag, which is part of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
He said there is a need for a fast-tracked comprehensive development plan as a means of addressing the area’s growing tourism sector.
Present for the meeting were Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna of DOT-6, Cristine Mansinares from the Provincial Tourism Office, Silay City Vice Mayor Tom Ledesma, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Rostata, among others.
According to DENR, following an earlier Protected Area Management Board meeting, a recent survey found the NNNP area had reduced from 80,454.50 hectares to 70,826.16./WDJ