BACOLOD City – The City of Sagay in Negros Occidental has opened the “Pala-Pala sa Vito” inside the Vito Visitor Center, a community-based eco-tourism destination that provides inclusive economic opportunity to the community.
It features a pala-ala style restaurant where visitors can select a variety of seafood, upholding slow food principle that is “clean, good and fair,” hence no artificial flavoring and soda.
Additionally, it will sell sustainably caught seafood and intends to reduce single-use plastic during its operation.
The center, managed by the Vito Community Based Eco Tourism Association, is overlooking the picturesque Sagay Marine Reserve situated near the port.
It is also near Sagay’s most visited built heritage, the San Vicente Ferrer Vito Church which was founded in 1898.
The center’s inauguration, meanwhile, is a conclusion of a decade-long development of a project that is part of the city’s Sustainable Tourism Masterplan.
City Engineer Jezreel Alingco noted that the Vito Fishport’s development began in 1998 with backfilling and reclamation. Embankment protection and railings were added in 2018.
Subsequently, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) funded the fish landing’s construction in 2019, followed by the DA dorm building in 2022.
The following year, a Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) showroom and comfort rooms were added along with the DA Building A Extension. The phase 1 of landscaping and railing repairs began in 2023 and were completed this year.
For her part, Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena lauded the said project as it will definitely be a showcase of sustainable eco-tourism endeavor that prioritizes community and biodiversity.
Mayor Narciso Javelosa added that the project is a reminder of how the city is serious in creating jobs and opportunities while ensuring environment conservation and protection./PN
