| 
The
PASSIG
(more than a Boracay in its purpose and setting)
By: Douglas Ra. Cagas, LLB, MBE, MNSA
Have
you ever been to a place, far away from your home? Where the
air you breath is clean and fresh, and fishes swim with endless
freedom? Where the silhouette of jumping fishes, serve as
an interlude of the coming night? Where the ‘danggits’
allure ones eyes as they lay flat underwater boasting their
shining scales? Where the great Mt. Apo’s peak is clear
scenery, having the crimson colored clouds of sunset as its
backdrop? Where the thick green leaves of mangrove trees,
sway and span as far as the eyes can see - a protector, a
provider of food for the fish sanctuary of more than 75 hectares?
Where the eastern part of an islet that serves as the sentry
of this fish sanctuary, lies underwater the breath-taking
view of coral reef, a paradise for scuba diving? You may wonder
why? You may also ask. Where is this place being found? Without
a second thought, this is the PASSIG. An islet, a sentry of
the fish sanctuary, a watchman for the mangrove trees and
the sentinel of the coral reef, situated at Bato, Sta. Cruz,
Davao del Sur. This PASSIG, as describe above, is more than
a Boracay in its purpose and setting.
As
I assumed Office as Governor of the Province of Davao del
Sur, the first thing that came into my mind is to have a place
in my Province, that one can be proud of. A showcase of natural
beauty, packed with intense thrust of man-made effort to develop,
but the outcome is natural. Then, an islet, an abandoned islet
came into my mind. After series of consultations, a plan of
development for this islet emerged, and the name PASSIG was
conceived. The original land area of this islet is only 1,100
square meters. Moved by enthusiasm, a reclamation activity
is then on going for the target land area of one (1) hectare
for this PASSIG in the future. This 8,900 square meters material
fillings for reclamation to make this islet into a one (1)
hectare land area, is really tedious and mind wrecking activity.
However, the definite chief aim of those who are with me is
greater than the reluctance and doubts, nurtured in the mind
and heart of a lazy man. And this attitude has attracted the
support of Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), the
Provincial Government of Davao del Sur, Hydro Electric Development
Corp. (HEDCOR), and other concerned agencies and institutions.
Along
with this reclamation activity, some amenities have been put
into place; like, comfort room, temporary cottages, covered
area for cooking, dining and conferences, to be used by the
visitors that keep coming and growing in number. Few months
ago, a water system that costs P10,000.00 was installed. Then,
this was followed by solar generated lighting facilities worth
P1.2 million. A 760 meters rock causeway that connects PASSIG
and sitio Lawis worth P12 million, will be constructed in
the next few months. This rock causeway is passable at low
tide, and at high tide, a greater chance of business for those
who operate banca for hire within the locality. It is predicted
that business will boom in this community when PASSIG will
arrive into its full development.
 |
The
total area of the fish sanctuary is 75 hectares. Barangay
Tuban and Tagabuli combined area is 50 hectares, while Barangay
Bato has 25 hectares. The abundance of fish can be observed
through the ripples created as the school of fish gracefully
passes by. While underwater, the sea-grass sway along the
dictate of the waves, a haven of varied marine lives thriving
confidently and safe, within the safeguard of the mangrove
trees. Coral reef that started in Barangay Tuban and traversing
Barangay Tagabuli, then finally in Barangay Bato, is a spectacle
to be kept in ones memory. All these, are that something that
makes PASSIG, more than a Boracay in its purpose and setting.
 |
| OTHER
NEWS: |
 |
Govs
call on Senate to stop NBN probe, on political
opposition to wait for their turn in 2010 |
|
Provincial
governors caution PGMA critics to observe rule
of law |
|
Keon
rallies Ilocos Norte for a show of support to
PGMA |
|
PGMA graces Cavite gathering for peace and development |
|
Mountain
Province reaffirms support to Arroyo administration,
calls for enlightenment of “dark forces” |
|
Bataan
multi-sectoral groups ask Senate to wrap-up NBN-
ZTE inquiry |
|
Siquijor
dads declare all-out support for PGMA |
|
South
Leyte gov asks village leaders to dissuade kin
in Manila from anti-Arroyo rallies |
|
Davao
Norte officials, multi-sectoral groups echo support
for GMA |
|
Gov.
Dimaporo takes the cudgels for PGMA, cites gains
in Lanao del Norte |
|
Dinagat
Islands stand firm on its support for PGMA |
|
Feature
Article “The PASSIG”
(more than a Boracay in its purpose and setting) |
|
Photo
Releases |
|
| |
|
.gif)
