(eyeblogphotos) was invited to a tour dubbed “Lagaw Silay” December 15 with tour guides, tour operators, travel agents, lifestyle writers and tourism officers to have a glimpse and experience Silay City’s museums, mansions, cultural-historical landmarks, ecotourism parks, churches, sugar mill, waterfalls, flora and fauna sites, and World War II terrains.
Maricar Dabao, president of the Alliance of Tour Guides of Negros, said the familiarization tour will help her group institutionalize tour guiding in Silay that she said is the “seat of arts, culture and ecotourism in Western Visayas.
Mayor Jose Montelibano meet and greet the participants in a courtesy call at the Mayor’s Office. Mayor Montelibano asks the group to give a critique as well as feedbacks on the said tour and how could Silay City flex its wings for people to come to Silay City.
Silay City Tourism Officer Ver Pacete led the tour and disclosed historical facts about the places and landmarks of Silay during and after the war. The group took off to Barangay Balaring where a 600 meter bamboo bridge leads to the Mangrove forest – a cooperation of the Japanese and the locals.
Later on the group went for a 33 kilometer road trip to Mount Patag and had lunch. The soft saline breeze welcomed the participants upon arrival – truly a soothing nature get-away for those who needs to simply rest and relax.
Jenny Cordero, tourism officer of Negros Occidental said that the tour will be among the tour packages for the province.
Just before heading back to the City – the group observed the stunning contours of the mountains, sugar plantation and the people living in the area.
As a photojournalist/blogger I would definitely invite friends to visit Silay – they have so much to offer in terms of eco tourism spots and preservation of the forest reserves.#osb
