Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat is eyeing to increase tourist arrivals by enhancing the services of various tourist attractions.
“Definitely I want it increase but not just for the beach. We have nature, trekking, forest parks while enforcing conservation because we dont want it to be like Boracay,” Rabat said in an interview.
Based on the data of the City Tourism, Trade and Industry Division of the Office of the Mayor, Mati City recorded a tourist arrival of 146,000 for the period of January to July 2019.
Dahican Beach is considered as Mati City’s top destination for foreign and domestic tourists. It’s long extensive sandy beach and strong waves made Dahican a surfing haven for surfing and skimboarding enthusiasts.
Tourism Officer Dashiel Indelible Jr said he has no specific number of surfers and skimboarders, but the number is increasing.
Indelible said visitors not only go to Dahican to surf or skimboard but also to enjoy various activities in the beach such as Summerfun in Dahican in the months of April and May with featured events like simboarding, surfing, beach volleyball, and frisbee; Summer Frolic every summer, skimfest every October, international coastal clean-up of the scubasurero every September; and special events like duahtlon, bancarera, diving, swimfest, among others.
In line with Mayor Rabat’s goal of increasing tourist arrivals is enforcing the law to preserve Dahican. She advised businessmen that before they start constructing facilities they must ensure that amenities that include water treatment must in place. She also said there is a certain level for the buildings to follow.
Rabat added that she will also ensure peace and order will be strictly implemented in the city.
Tourism and security are among priorities of the city mayor. Other priorities include transparency and accountability, social services, health, agriculture and education.
“Transparency and accountability because good governance is good politics and the services will be delivered to the people. We also focus on health. The biggest bulk of the budget next year will be for health. Then the social services kasi madami ang nangangailangan ng assistance. Ipaabot natin yun. Agriculture is also that one sector na medyo sa palagay ko bibigyan natin ng focus dahil marami tayong mangingisda and farmers,” she said.
