Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre bared on Tuesday that the city government of Davao is considering the proposal to build an amusement or themed park in Marilog District, Davao City.
Alejandre, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism and Beautification of the City Council of Davao, said the project may come in the form of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
“There is a proposal like a Disneyland in Hong Kong and sulti ni Mayor (Baste) okay na basta naa lang premium na mahatag sa mga IPs. When we say premium, ang share nila. Isa na sa among ginatan-aw and part na sa among Tourism Development Plan,” he said during Aprubado sa Konseho media briefing.
Alejandre said the cool weather of Marilog makes it an ideal place to develop an amusement park like the Enchanted Kingdom (EK) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“I talked with one operator of an amusement park and positive siya apan ana siya ang problema kung ipahulam sa ilaha sa IP ang yuta. That is part of the consideration kung asa dapit sa Marilog na area na puwede. Bugnaw ang Marilog and then mura siya ug Hong Kong na amusement park,” he said.
He said they will look for areas in Marilog to build the theme park as there are buildable and unbuildable areas in the said district.
Alejandre said that there is a need for the city to adopt the proposal for the development of an amusement to improve the tourism industry of Davao City.
“Even the mayor (Baste) consider it. Sulti niya sa akoa kung nakaadto naka ug Davao dili naka mubalik kay wala naman kay adtuan,” he said.
To further bolster the city’s tourism industry, Alejandre said the city government of Davao will be establishing at least four tourist spots in Marilog and Paquibato District, which are mainly natural tourist destinations such as waterfalls and caves ideal for trekking.
He added that these new destinations are being eyed to be launched this year.
Alejandre said the city government will be building facilities and infrastructures in those potential tourist spots to promote development among those areas.
“When the mayor assumed office, isa sa iyahang sulti na dungagan ang tourism destinations sa Davao City. Right after that, naglibot ang team sa Marilog and Paquibato ug gitan-aw namo ang natural resources like spring, falls, cave,” he said.
Alejandre said some of these destinations are situated inside an ancestral domain but not a conservation zone.
He said the mayor also instructed them to check the perimeters of the land use in putting up these destinations.
“Dili siya resorts but destinations, naa sa ancestral domain na areas in Marilog and Paquibato. Ang sulti ni mayor nga unahon ang perimeters meaning unsay issues and concerns and then ayuhon para puwede siya maadtuan ug mga tawo,” he said.
