Lagawan

Admitting the fledging local tourism industry needs help, new Butuan City Mayor vowed to rescue it by focusing more on the historic Balangay boats’ feat while trying hard to make Butuan as “haven of historical tourism”

“Yes we are determined to develop our local tourism anchor in the historic feat of our Balangay boats” says new Butuan Mayor Ferdinand Amante when asked his agenda on the city’s tourism industry.

Amante admitted during a press conference here held right after he took oath of office that the city’s tourism industry has still long way to go in terms of needed infra support services, promotion and absence of well-organized local marketing strategy.

The lack of local residents’ full and comprehensive support for local tourism has also been noted saying even local people’s enthusiasm to visit local historic and tourism sites is totally absent.

As Amante answered queries on how to promote local tourism at the press conference, Butuan Global Forum and partners from both local private and government institutions were preparing for the launching of the “3rd Balangay Boat” and its two-day river cruise tour set on July 10-11.

The river cruise will start at the historic but already full of floating illegally-cut logs Agusan River.

The third boat LEPA will join two earlier expeditions made by two Balangay boat replicas named “Masawa Hong Butuan”, the second boat and “Diwata Ng Lahi”, the first, which will start with several stops in Mindanao before proceeding to an Asian tour.

The construction of the wind-driven boat Masawa Hong Butuan worth P1.6 million was shouldered by the Butuan Global Forum Inc., an association of Butuanons based locally and abroad; the Kaya Ng Pinoy Foundation; and the Butuan Historical and Cultural Foundation Inc.

The two replicas of Balangay boats, all wind-driven, sailed February 2 and February 4, 2010 respectively.

According to Butuanon Banker Agnes Andaya who is over-all chairperson of the project dubbed “The Continuing Balangay Journey” under auspices of Butuan Global Forum Incorporated, Kaya Natin Pinoy Foundation and other private and government institutions, the third boat will be engine driven”.

The third Balangay Boat river cruise project was aim to generate funds for the allowance and expenses of local navigators mostly Butuanons who will served as crew for the third Balangay Boat expedition, Andaya said.

The river cruise scheduled July 10 and 11 will pass the historic town of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte which is claiming as the real venue of the fist Christian mass in the country, the reason why it was named “Magallanes” referring to Ferdinand Magellan.

The river cruise will also pass other historical landmarks along Agusan River where the “Golden Tara” an ancient image made of gold was found by Manobo tribes sometime in the 60’s.

During launching of the LEPA Balangay Boat’s river cruise and voyage on July 9, 2010 to be held at Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) grounds here in Butuan City, several activities including mini concert by local bands were also scheduled.

Butuan folk consider the vessel meaningful after remnants of around eight ancient balangay boats were excavated in Butuan City particularly in Barangay Libertad in 1978.

The oldest boat that was dug was carbon-dated at 320 AD.(PNA)