If Boracay is the best beach in Aklan Province, Torrijos
White Beach is the best in Marinduque, says Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.
Velasco said Torrijos Beach has the potential of being world
class and a source of income for the people of Marinduque and other
tourism-related businesses in other parts of the country.
“One of the main attractions of the Philippines is its
tourist spots and destinations. As gems of natural wonders, these areas can
easily be tapped to improve the livelihood of local communities and generate
income for the national economy,” Velasco said.
He said as an archipelago surrounded by bodies of water, the
Philippines offers many beaches in different parts of the country.
In the Province of Marinduque, one of the best locations to
visit would be the Torrijos White Beach in the Municipality of Torrijos. Its
approximately 1 kilometer stretch of white-sand beach offers visitors a unique
beach experience.
Velasco described Torrijos Beach as a legitimate gem in the country
and a natural wonder in its own right.
In House Bill No 1074, Velasco sought to declare Torrijos
White Beach as an Ecotourism Site.
“Such declaration would not only redound to the benefit of
the local community but would, in addition, provide boost to the national
economy,” he said.
The Marinduque lawmaker stressed that it has been the policy
of the State to promote tourism in this country and also to seek the
socio-economic alleviation of the communities surrounding these great sites.
In 2018 the share of Tourism Direct Gross Value Added
(TDGVA) to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the contribution of tourism
industries to the Philippine economy was estimated at 12.7 percent.
TDGVA serves as the indicator to measure the value added of
different industries in relation to tourism activities of both inbound and
domestic visitors in the country. The TDGVA amounted to PhP 2.2 trillion in
2018, higher by 14.3 percent compared to previous year’s record of PhP 1.9
trillion.
The TDGVA estimate is based on the latest results of the
Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) which also provides information on
tourism expenditure and employment in 2018.
“Towards this end, the country has been creating new
ecotourism sites to develop these natural wonders,” he said. - by CBayarcal, with Torrijos Beach Photos courtesy of Toper Matienzo
