MARIVELES, Bataan — The municipal government on Thursday announced big plans being considered to attract more tourists to this town which is home to multi-national firms under the Freeport Area of Bataan.
Mariveles municipal administrator Tito Catipon said that Mayor AJ Concepcion and the sangguniang bayan chaired by Vice Mayor Angelito Rubia are very supportive of each other in the planning and implementation of the projects.
Among such projects is the renovation of the historical Zero Kilometer Death March marker, the site where thousands of captive Filipino and American soldiers started their more than 100-kilometer march towards Capas, Tarlac under the strict and watchful eyes of Japanese soldiers after Bataan fell on April 9, 1942.
Catipon said they will renew their request to the National Historical Commission and provincial government of Bataan for funding in the improvement of the area by placing murals with designs not only in paint but in bronze.
He said that the NHC during the first term of Mayor Concepcion has already pledged to help in the renovation of the Zero KM marker, considered as a landmark of Mariveles. A building will rise in the site that will serve as a museum and pasalubong center.
Another project to be renovated to strengthen the tourism industry in Mariveles is the installation of a view deck at the entrance to the town before descending the zigzag road where the welcome sign “I Love Mariveles” in big letters catches the eyes of visitors.
Unlighted before, the welcome sign is now illuminated. From the view deck, the town of Mariveles and FAB factories will be in full view.
“Ang park naman doon sa Barangay Sisiman ay dire-diretso ang plano at lalagyan din ito ng pasalubong center at comfort room dahil matagal itong napabayaan at noon ay binasag-basag pa ang ilaw pero ngayon ay nilagyan na nila ng mga poste at may ilaw na talaga,” Catipon said.
From the park, Mount San Miguel and Corregidor Island are very visible.
He said the area was already cleaned, repainted and lighted and being prepared to accommodate a space for the selling of pasalubong.
The picturesque Mount San Miguel in Barangay Sisiman, location shootings of some movies of the late Fernando Poe, Jr., is given special attention by Mayor Concepcion. Catipon said a company has plans to develop as tourist spot the surrounding area of Mount San Miguel but some concerns have to be addressed. “Kami naman sa pamahalaang bayan sa pangunguna ni mayor ay hindi naman papayag talaga na iyang national landmark ng aming bayan ay patagin.”
He said that the Sangguniang Barangay of Sisiman has passed a resolution declaring Mount San Miguel as a landmark of the village, resolution adopted by the Mariveles SB. “Dahil sa ganda ng feasibility studies o plano ng Orient Aggregates sa Mount San Miguel, sinusubukang i-consider ng SB kaya nagko-conduct ng public hearings at dadaan ito sa tamang proseso para maipaliwanag sa taong bayan kung ano talaga ang purpose kung bakit may movements sa area,” Catipon said.
He said that the company some months ago made some movements after the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau recommended to remove loose rocks that posed danger to the community. “Ang objective ng kumpanya ay tanggalin ang mga loose rocks na nasa ibaba na potentially mag-roll down at makatama ng tao dahil ang big portion nito ay may mga cottages na maliliit na pinagkakakitaan ng kababayan natin sa Sisiman na delikadong bagsakan ng malalaking bato,” the municipal administrator noted.
Catipon said the company secured the area, installed some sort of catchment mechanism that served like a canal. “Parang kanal sa paligid na if ever na may magro-roll down na bato ay doon ito mag-stock at hindi na tatalbog sa mga kabahayan at tao.”
Some residents thought that the company was going to level the mountain so they complained to the mayor who immediately acted and asked the company to stop until proper coordination and presentation of needed documents are complied with.
Catipon said Mayor Concepcion will not permit the leveling of the mountain. “Kung papatagin ang bundok ay wala nang pag-uusapan. Rejected na kahit maganda ang plano ng kumpanya.”
