ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines (7 July 2004) -- Mayor Marlon T. Sales of this town has vowed to carry out "to the letter" a just-approved municipal ordinance banning the use of jet skis by tourists and other visitors. Under the ordinance, which was unanimously approved by the municipal board, or Sangguniang Pambayan (SP), the use of jet skis is allowed only by local officials, like the police, to monitor violations by resorts and similar establishments that were established to cater to the needs of the increasing number of visitors to this coastal town. In an interview, Sales told The Manila Times that he and other officials are determined to preserve and protect the waters and the marine resources of Pagudpud, which the Department of Tourism (DOT) is promoting as the "Boracay of the North." He said the DOT conferred the title on the town which prides itself as having the longest uninterrupted white sand beaches, comparable to those of the new world-famous Boracay Island in Aklan. According to Sales, the municipal board approved the ordinance following rising complaints from residents and even visitors themselves about the growing use of jet skis in some of the resorts. The ordinance, he stressed, was one way of telling resort owners and visitors that the town is determined to preserve its pristine beaches and marine resources. Moreover the ordinance aimed to protect other visitors, particularly those engaged in scuba diving and snorkeling, from possible harm and injuries caused by jet skis. | | Jet ski ban aims to protect scuba
divers, snorkelers and marine wildlife.The ordinance would also drastically reduce noise pollution caused by the use of such equipment. "We need to ban their use because most tourists prefer to visit a place that is clean and quiet without the noise pollution caused by jet skis," said Sales. "At the same time, we would be protecting the various species of fish, which use the coral reefs of the town as their nesting grounds to lay eggs as well as sanctuary of the aquarium fishes." Sales added that the ban on jet skis would not deter local and foreign tourists from visiting Pagudpud, because it offers other popular water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling and wind surfing. Besides, the town's fine and sandy white beaches alone would be a major come-on for tourists to visit the town, he said. He noted that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of domestic and foreign visitors, particularly during the summer months. SOURCE - Manila Times |
