ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) \u2013- The city government is putting up millions of pesos worth of tourism oriented projects, including a P27-million dancing fountain at Paseo del Mar, a kilometer east from city hall, and will soon start the development of the big Sta. Cruz Island fronting the port of Zamboanga.
\nThe Great Sta Cruz Island is famous worldwide for its pink sands and is being used as a picnic spot for mainlanders since it is just about 30 minutes away from the local port on board a motorized banca.
\nWhile other beaches boast of white sands, the islands pink sands are so colored by bits and pieces of red corrals eroded or pulverized by waves on the shorelines of the island.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, nearby Small Sta. Cruz Island, with its white sands, is occupied by elements of the Philippine Navy and is off limits to uninvited guests.
\nThe city has been hankering to develop the island for its tourism potential but the island is managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and the city government is stymied from developing its own islands for tourism purposes.
\nBut not anymore, said City Mayor Celso Lobregat in a press conference at City Hall.
\nThe mayor announced that Mark Lapid, chief operation officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority has confirmed to him the turnover of the island to the local government of Zamboanga.
\nTop Tourism officials have promised to turn over the big Great Sta. Cruz island to the city government for the past several years but the mayor said that it is only now that the city government got the official word for its possession of this atoll along the Straits of Basilan.
\nWith this development, the mayor has organized Task Force Adelante Sta. Cruz to help plan the development of the island. (Adelante is Spanish-Chavacano word for forward.)
\nAnticipating the PTA turnover of the islands to the city government since years ago, Lobregat said the city has an initial amount of P20 million to update Sta. Cruz for international and local tourism purposes.
\nAs a start, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) \u2013 Zamboanga Chapter will be tasked to conduct a competition among architects to design infrastructures for Sta. Cruz island.
\nChapter President Shiralee Pajarito said the competition will be opened to all certified architects and students or graduates of architecture courses will be eligible to compete in the design.
\nThe deadline for the submission of entries , on two categories, should be before June 18 where the Task Force Adelante Sta. Cruz will decide on the winners.
\nPajarito said the best design submitted by a certified architect will receive P100,000 prize while a P50,000 prize awaits the designer from the student or graduate category.
\nShe said the design for the development of Sta. Cruz Islands should include structures suitable and adaptable to the conditions in the island, environment friendly and of world class standing.<\/p>\n
On the matter of security, Lobregat said the local police force, the maritime police, barangay and others law enforcement agencies will take care of the matter.
\nThe two Sta. Cruz islands are under the jurisdiction of Mariki Barangay, a coastal barangay about two kilometers east of City hall.
\nThe mayor is concerned about security in the islands because it is located along the Basilan Straits, and just about 10 nautical miles away from Basilan — notorious for its pirates , terrorists, kidnappers and the extremist Abu Sayyaf.
\nIn fact, sometime in the 1977, the island became known to the world when a Japanese tourists, Yoko Seki, on a honeymoon in the city was kidnapped in the island by armed men and brought to Basilan. She was later released by her kidnappers.
\nNot withstanding the danger, local folks regularly visit the island for swimming and relaxation. Snorkeling and scuba diving are excellent diversions for the sun worshipers with lots of colorful marine life to experience since the water is clear.
\nThere are regular banca trips from Lantaka Hotel by the Sea, the city\u2019s oldest hotel (formerly Bayot Hotel) and a mini wharf at nearby Paseo del Mar.
\nLittle motorized bancas also wait for picnickers at the R.T. Lim Boulevard that is also facing the two islands. The boulevard with its white sands is off limits to picnickers because the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has declared the area polluted and unsafe for swimming and frolicking in the sand.
\nThere is no freshwater source in the island and all water to be consumed must be brought there by picnickers or tourists. Of course, small stores there sell the precious fluid at double the price compared to mainland rates.
\nAside from water, there is no electricity in the island although entrepreneurs there have provided their own portable generators to run refrigerators and freezers in the island for storage of good and food items for visitors to Sta Cruz.
\nhttp:\/\/www.mb.com.ph\/articles\/357099\/zambo-takes-over-pink-shores
\nVisitors and tourists travelling north from Manila look for convenient location out of town to spend a few days in a family hotel with white sand beach. Clearwater Beach Resort located in Philippines Clark Freeport is a famous destination near Manila.<\/p>\n
Spa is not the only way to unwind for people who are stressed out by Manila traffic and noise pollution.<\/p>\n
In a city like Manila, most residents rely on visits to spa and beauty parlor to unwind and relax. But with a short getaway to Angeles City Clark Pampanga one can de-stress by enjoying beautiful outdoor amenities of this beach resort, savoring what nature can offer. Clearwater Resort & Country Club offers several styles of accommodation from US$65 up inclusive of breakfast for two at the beautiful Breakfast Garden Restaurant overlooking the large Clearwater lake and beach. This is a good rendition of the lifestyle that the Americans left behind after they left the Clark Airbase. <\/p>\n
Children enjoy the vast space while adults relax and unwind under large Acacia trees that can be found on the large picnic grounds of this top rated hotel in Clark. No wonder, this hotel in Clark is one of the most popular and frequently visited resort in Pampanga. <\/p>\n
Highly recommended beach resort in North Luzon for company outings and family retreats is most frequently visited hotel in Clark Pampanga because of beautiful view and good outdoor facilities for swimming, picnic and barbecue.<\/p>\n
For reservations, comments and inquiries, <\/p>\n
Clearwater Resort & Country Club
\nCreekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
\nCentral Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
\nPampanga, Philippines 2023<\/p>\n
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177<\/p>\n
Manila Sales Office
\n3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
\nExchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
\n(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com<\/p>\n
Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com<\/p>\n
Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
\nAfter entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark\u2019s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark\u2019s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.<\/p>\n
For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now<\/a><\/p>\n Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com<\/a><\/p>\n While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http:\/\/www.YatsRestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http:\/\/www.YatsLeisure.com<\/a><\/p>\n While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges. Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.LondonPubClark.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.ClarkPhilippines.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.ClarkWineCenter.com<\/a><\/p>\n