Central Region Physical Framework Plan 87 88 Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns

Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns

DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES of optimum forest cover, Central Visayas should have about 58 percent of its land covered with vegetation. Encroachment in forest and upland he use of the land is constrained by areas, unsuitable farming practices and physical, environmental and/or man-made unplanned urbanization were cited as the major factors. The man-made factors can include T reasons for the continued denudation of the government policies that restrict or limit the use of region's forest land. the land. Mangrove stands along coastal areas have Deforestation of forest and mangrove areas also declined over the years due to the indiscriminate cutting of these resources for fishpond development and urban expansion. The Data from DENR shows that although 36 conversion of mangrove areas into fishponds percent of the region's area is classified as used to be an area of constant conflict in the forestland, much of the area is denuded. Through region until the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 the years, the situation worsened. Satellite was enacted, which effectively prohibited the images reveal that the forest cover in Central conversion of mangroves into fishponds or for Visayas has been severely reduced from 137,000 any other purposes. Still, the area of the hectares in 1975 (BFD data) and 38,400 hectares mangrove has been reduced from 2,700 hectares in 1988 to a mere 19,000 hectares in 1997, or just in 1992 to 2,100 hectares in 2004. There is 14 percent of its size 20 years ago. (see Figure obviously a need for the Department of 10) Environment and Natural Resources, in Latest data from DENR indicates a coordination with the Department of Agriculture, reversal in the declining trend of the forest cover. local government units and other concerned A substantial improvement in forest cover has agencies and organizations to determine which been reported due largely to the massive fishponds have been abandoned, remain reforestation undertaken in upland and watershed undeveloped or underutilized, and to revert these areas. About 20 percent of the region’s forest areas to their original mangrove state. (see Map lands (more than 100,000 hectares) are cited to 33) have forest cover. Still, if slope is used as gauge Land degradation

The most common type of land Figure 10. Extent of Forest Cover, 1975-1997 degradation in the and in the region is soil erosion posing a detrimental effect on soil 140,000 physico-chemical and biological properties. This 120,000 makes the land less suitable to crop production 100,000 or, in some cases of severe erosion, result to total 80,000 loss of soil productivity. 60,000 In Central Visayas, loss of fertile topsoil

Hectares 40,000 especially in the uplands is a major problem 20,000 confronting the region. Presently, Central Visayas 0 is considered one of the more severely eroded 1975 1988 1997 regions in the country with more than 70 percent Central Visayas Region Physical Framework Plan 89

Map 33. Fishponds in Mangrove Areas 90 Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns

of its land suffering from topsoil erosion. While Figure 11. Extent of Soil Erosion in Provinces factors like soil texture, structure, consistency, compressibility, permeability, capillarity and 60 density definitely influence erositivity of soils, it is 50 the lack of vegetative cover as a result of the 40 denudation of the uplands, continued cultivation of areas with steep slopes combined with 30 unsustainable farming practices that have 20 worsened the erosion problem in the region. This 10 has resulted to a serious reduction in soil 0 productivity and water retention capacity. This B o ho l Ceb u Or. Neg . Siq uijo r Ceb u Cit y situation will predispose the degraded land to No erosion Slight ero sion drought and other water availability problems. M o derate erosio n Severe erosion The Philippine Land and Soil Management Atlas (1992) shows that more than half or 58 percent of the land in City is severely Table 15. Water Potential and Demand in MCM/year* eroded. Among the provinces, severe soil erosion is highest in Oriental Negros at 38 percent followed by at 29 percent, at 18 Philippine Central Indicator Year Total Visayas percent, and Cebu at 8 percent. Highest levels of moderate soil erosion are experienced in Bohol 1995 1,303 - 59 Demand and Cebu. (see Figure 11) 2025 3,955 2,226 342

Groundwater Availability 759 879 60 Decreasing water availability Average 1995 -544 - 1 Surplus/Deficit A World Resources Institute study (2001) 2025 -3,196 -1,347 -282 reports that in areas where per capita water Percent Surplus/ supply is below 1,000 cubic meters per year, 1995 -42% - 2% Deficit to Total 2025 -81% -60% -82% these areas should already be experiencing water Demand scarcity. Data from NWRB (2003) shows that Source: NWRB, 2003 and JICA Master Plan on Water Resources Central Visayas' per capita water supply has went Management in the Philippines, 1998. down to 425 cubic meters per year. This means Note: MCM/year is million cubic meters per year that the region is on the threshold of experiencing water scarcity. The World Bank Philippine Environment Figure 12. DO Pollutant Level in Major Bays Monitor (2003) affirms the growing scarcity of 1996-2001 water in the region especially in highly populated 16 areas. The report identified Central Visayas 14 particularly Cebu province as one of four critical areas in the Philippines in terms of water quantity 12 and quality. The World Bank study projects that 10 by 2025 water demand will be around 2,226 8 million cubic meters in the region against a water 6 resource potential of 2,939 million cubic meters at

DO (mg/l) 80 percent dependability. (see Table 15) Critical 4 is the Province of Cebu where the water resource 2 potential is only 708 million cubic meters against 0 a projected demand of around 932 million cubic M inglanilla M andaue to Liloan t o Compostela meters in 2025, or a shortfall of 224 million cubic Bays meters. If the region especially Metro Cebu is to continue to play a significant role in the economic water quality criterion Lowest Average Highest development of the Visayas area, the water Source: DENR-EMB, 2003 supply situation needs to be urgently addressed.

Central Visayas Region Physical Framework Plan 91

Deteriorating water quality Table 16. Groundwater Quality Scorecard

Wells That Failed Water pollution is threatening many of the Wells Criteria1/ region's surface water. While EMB data shows Provinces Tested Rating2/ (No.) that the water quality of many of the region's (No.) (%) rivers are still considered satisfactory, it took exception to the case of the rivers that traverse Bohol 5 2 40 U the urban areas of Cebu where the large portion Cebu 15 7 47 U of the region's population reside. The water quality of Guadalupe and Cotcot rivers in Cebu Oriental Neg. 9 1 11 U

City were assessed to be unsatisfactory, Source: WB-Philippines Environment Monitor 2003 indicating organic pollution. The bays along Notes: 1/ Wells tested did not meet standard for drinking water at 500 , to Consolacion, and Liloan mg/l (for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)). to Compostela in Cebu and Inabanga in Bohol did 2/ Satisfactory (S) - <10% of wells tested did not meet standard not also pass the water quality criterion for Unsatisfactory (U)- >10% of wells tested didn’t meet standard coastal and marine water (dissolved oxygen (DO) average readings). Suitability of these waters for already reached approximately 7 kilometers at its recreational use is thus questionable. (see Figure farthest point inland. In , saltwater 12) intrusion has affected Barangays Lahug, Capitol, EMB data also shows that many of the Labangon and Banilad where about 10 years ago wells tested in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and it was confined only in the downtown commercial Oriental Negros did not pass the drinking water business district. Salt water intrusion is caused by criterion for total dissolved solids. (see Table 16) over-exploitation or excessive withdrawal of Salt water intrusion along the coastal areas groundwater. This reduces water availability for is another emerging problem in the region. Salt domestic usage, including drinking and water intrusion is especially prominent in the agricultural usage. (see Figure 13) cities of Cebu and Mandaue. Studies conducted Recent data (2005) on salt water intrusion by the Water Resources Center (WRC) of the offers some hope. The WRC-Cebu Water from 1975 to 1997 REMIND Project reported that sea water intrusion showed that the extent of saltwater intrusion had appeared to have stabilized in Cebu City and

Figure 13. Salinity Map of Cebu City Showing the Comparative Movement of the 50 ppm Chloride Iso-line

Mactan Island

Point Explanation

A Lourdes Parish, Labangon B Capitol Building, Capitol C Waterfront Hotel, Lahug D 50 ppm Chloride Isoline: 1997 E 40 ppm Chloride Isoline: 1975

Source: University of San Carlos-Water Resources Center 92 Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns

Mandaue City. This was the result of the Low productivity in fisheries decommissioning of some water wells of MCWD in critical areas. (see Map 34) Productivity of the region's inland, municipal and commercial fishing areas also Encroachment of urban land development in show declining trends. These fishery ecosystems environmentally-critical areas are noted to have reached their maximum sustainable yields. Studies by the Bureau of The rapid growth of the population and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the increasing economic activity in the urban centers Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) have increased the demand for land. Urban land show that most of the fishing grounds in the requirement especially for housing will be a region such as the and Camotes critical issue in the next 30 years. While Sea already exhibit signs of ecological and unproductive lands are the most suitable areas biological overfishing. Overfishing is also noted for conversion to urban uses, productive in the municipal fishing areas. agricultural lands that are located near urban expansion areas have slowly been converted to Weak intra and inter-regional physical and urban uses. Land development has also been economic integration observed to extend to protected, environmentally critical and hazard-prone areas. Creating an economically, socially and physically integrated region is a challenging task Declining agricultural land area and low in Central Visayas because of its archipelagic productivity make up. Unlike other regions in the country, Central Visayas' provinces are separated from Agricultural productivity of major crops in each other by bodies of water. Intra and inter- the country specifically rice and corn is the lowest regional economic integration is essential for among ASEAN countries. In Central Visayas, rapid economic growth to take place. Key to the productivity in rice and corn are way below economic integration of the provinces and the national averages. Although for the past 3 years region is physical integration. Essentially, (2001-2003), productivity in agriculture has been physical integration means that the necessary increasing, this is still way below the national physical infrastructures, notably the transportation average. and telecommunications linkages, are in place in One of the reasons for the lower key areas and are working efficiently. production is the reduction in the total area Sad to say, there is weak physical and devoted to agricultural production. There has economic integration among the island provinces been massive land conversion in the region in of the region at present. Transportation and the last few years. From 1988 up to the present, communication links among the provinces and the Department of Agrarian Reform has approved within the provinces themselves are not well the conversion of almost 542 hectares of developed and coordinated. In many instances, it agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses. Most of is easier, faster, more convenient and these lands are found in Cebu province (437.6 comfortable to travel to other places or call/ hectares). As a result, the region's agricultural contact other areas in the Philippines than the land has shrunk to the present area of 644,619 neighboring areas/provinces of the region. This hectares, from 648,290 hectares in 1992. lack of physical integration has definitely Meanwhile, there has been very little effort to hampered inter and intra-provincial trade and the expand the area devoted to agriculture movement of goods, services and people among production. The 44,630 hectares under the the provinces. NPAAAD which are the expansion areas for The economic activities of the provinces strategic agriculture and fisheries production have are likewise not integrated. Problems of poor yet to be developed. delivery performance or unmet delivery dates by

Central Visayas Region Physical Framework Plan 93

Map 34. Salinity Map of Groundwater Situation in Cebu City and Mandaue

Source: University of San Carlos-Water Resources Center 94 Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns suppliers from other areas/provinces, lack of is also site of all of the region's Special Economic markets for the rural sector's products, and lack Zones where export-oriented manufacturing firms of a steady source of raw materials/inputs for the are concentrated. It is not surprising, thus, that industries reflect a weak system of production, Cebu also accounts for most of the exports of the processing, marketing and trading within the region (99% of export earnings). region. Again a large part of the problem is due to The primacy of Cebu extends to other poor infrastructure network. areas. With most business and economic activities centered in Metro Cebu, many of the Weak linkage between infrastructure and land higher order services, facilities and amenities are use planning located in Cebu. Meanwhile, the perception that Cebu, notably Metro Cebu, offers greater Infrastructure and land use are closely economic and employment opportunities has led interrelated. For example, a new road or port to substantial migration of people from the other project stimulates housing, employment and land provinces to Cebu. As a result, Cebu's population development in the project locations. Likewise, an has been growing more rapidly compared to the increase in population can strain facilities and other provinces in the region. In 2000, Cebu require new investments in infrastructure. Despite accounted for the biggest share or 59 percent of the obvious link between the two, many the region's total population. On the other hand, implementing agencies continue to implement Cebu accounts for only 34 percent of the total infrastructure projects independently, seldom regional land. taking into account the local land use plans. Decision zones Concentration of population and economic activities in Metro Cebu Table 17 summarizes the areas in the region identified as decision zones which include The bulk of the region's economic activities those areas cited earlier as suffering from various is highly concentrated in Cebu, notably Metro forms of pressure. Specifically, a decision zone is Cebu. It is estimated that Cebu accounts for 80 an area where actual land use does not conform percent of the region's total output. On the other with the designated function of the area based on hand, only about 20 percent of the regional output the rationality of the present uses of land and is is contributed by the other provinces. therefore subject to policy interventions to ensure Most of the important firms and a more rational land use in the future. investments are located/gravitate to Cebu. Cebu

Table 17. Summary of Decision Zones

Area Covered Nature of Land Use Conflict Location Policy Options (in hectares)

Settlements inside declared protected NIPAS areas of the region Demarcate boundaries of NIPAS areas; resettle

areas (NIPAS areas) settlers occupying restricted core zones; evaluate tenurial status of people living inside protected areas prior to the grant of tenured migrant status of occupancy; establish and clearly mark buffer zones around protected areas

Agricultural activities and settlements in Regionwide Demarcate forest lands and non-NIPAS areas; forest lands and non-NIPAS protected evaluate critical non-NIPAS areas for possible areas declaration as NIPAS areas; discourage growth of settlements; issue tenure certificates to upland farmers in areas zoned for multiple uses; limit provision/ development of infrastructure; promote forest protection and conservation programs; accelerate land surveys and the issuance of land patents Central Visayas Region Physical Framework Plan 95

Table 17. Summary of Decision Zones (continued)

Area Covered Nature of Land Use Conflict Location Policy Options (in hectares)

Infrastructure located in or traversing Cebu: Ban settlements and development along corridors; protected areas Transcentral Highway 180 provide protection fence around existing facilities -Badian Rd 120 Ronda- Road 60 Bohol: Danao-Jetafe Road 80 -Bilar Road 48 Oriental Negros: Hi-way 2000 200 Valencia geothermal plants 150

Towns/cities located in protection areas Municipalities (3) in Bantayan 9,111 Review, evaluate protection areas for possible Island, Cebu redelineation; limit development activities in area; regulate growth of settlements; enforce strict Municipality of Poro in 6,800 standards of building code Camotes Island, Cebu Municipalities (2) in Panglao 386 Island, Bohol City, Oriental Negros 16,070

Protection and production forest lands Regionwide Demarcate protection forest lands for conservation; without forest cover (grassland/ reforest areas / implement reforestation programs; brushland) rehabilitate degraded forest lands and open areas; issue tenurial instruments to upland communities to encourage their adoption of conservation practices

Conversion of mangrove areas into Regionwide Determine which fishponds were abandoned, fishponds; mangrove areas without remain undeveloped and underutilized, and revert mangrove stands these areas to their original mangrove state; reforest denuded mangrove areas; ban development of mangrove areas into fishponds

Conversion of agricultural lands into Regionwide Identify, demarcate, and protect prime agricultural non-agricultural uses lands (e.g. SAFDZ areas) and agricultural expansion areas from conversion; evaluate existing agricultural lands to determine whether current production activities should be maintained or modified; release marginal lands for non-agricultural uses (more economically viable undertakings)

Tourism development in protected Some protected areas in the Identify and evaluate areas for ecotourism; areas region promote collection of user's fees in ecotourism areas to help maintain ecological balance

A & D lands in protected areas Protected areas in the region Review, evaluate protection areas for possible redelineation (to exclude A & D lands)

Settlements threatened by volcanic Canlaon City, Oriental Negros 14,000 Discourage further growth of settlements (low eruption density settlements); establish early warning systems and evacuation plans for the area

Settlements located along river banks Urban centers of the region Resettle settlers; strictly implement the law on and easements public easements (PD 705 and 1967) 96 Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns

Table 17. Summary of Decision Zones (continued)

Area Covered Nature of Land Use Conflict Location Policy Options (in hectares)

Settlements and infrastructure in Bohol: Discourage further growth of settlements (low landslide-prone areas Loay-Duero Stretch 23 density settlements) or resettle families located in high danger areas; relocate public facilities - Road (e.g. school/school bldgs); limit development - S. Bullones - Pilar Rd activities in area; strictly enforce building code standards; implement mitigating measures Candasog, Loboc Calabacita, Canjulao, Malbog,

Mayana, all in Jagna

Cebu: Naga-Uling-Toledo Road 20 Transcentral Highway - Sirao, Cebu City 31 Binaliw, Malubog, and Pungot- - Sibugay, all in Cebu City

Oriental Negros: Bais- Road - Vallehermoso – Canlaon Road - Milagros, Sta. Catalina 150 Candalaga, 150 Taboan, City 70

Areas threatened by extensive river Bohol: Delineate and map out high-risk areas; flooding implement flood control projects; limit growth of Loboc 4,516 settlements; formulate disaster-management Inabanga 4,200 programs appropriate to the area Tabajan, Guindulman 210 Cebu: 550 Cansaga, Consolacion 1,000 Sapangdaku, Toledo 1,600 Cumbado, 1,250 Liloan 203

Oriental Negros: 660 Bayawan 560 Sta. Catalina 580 Manalongon 350 Pagatban, Bayawan 380 La Libertad 260

Settlements in salt water-intruded Cebu: coastal areas of Cebu City, 7 kms. at its Regulate extraction of groundwater; discourage areas Mandaue City, Talisay City; farthest point extraction of groundwater 2 kms. from coast Mactan Island inland (Cebu) lines; closely monitor water wells in threatened areas to check extent of saltwater intrusion; Siquijor: Lazi promote rainwater harvesting through construc- tion of gabions/retention dams/ related rainwater structures; implement water conservation programs and urban forestry programs to facilitate recharging of water aquifers; strictly implement water code in urban areas

Severe erosion areas Bohol 74,800 Reforest upland areas; plan leguminous cover Cebu (excluding Cebu City) 156,177 crops; adopt sustainable farming practices Cebu City 18,947 Oriental Negros 70,839 Siquijor 7,970 Central Visayas Region Physical Framework Plan 97

INTERREGIONAL CONCERNS south; by Panay (Region 6) to the west; and by Masbate (Region 5) to the north. Central Visayas has substantial and The surrounds the Camotes important linkages with other regions in , (Cebu) Group of Islands. (Region 8) Visayas and . For one, it shares with borders the eastern periphery of Camotes Sea, Regions 5 (Bicol), 6 (), 8 and Bohol and Cebu straddle it at its south and (), 9 (Western Mindanao), 10 north sides. An area of approximately 4,310 km2 () and 13 () the same of the sea is within the Central Visayas natural resources, e.g. marine waters. For jurisdiction. The , a unique double another, Central Visayas is linked with other barrier reef, borders the southern periphery of regions through the multi-modal transport system Camotes Sea. Danajon Bank is part of the Asian (roll-on roll-off system, the various port systems, southward bird migratory pathway. the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, and air Tañon Strait separates Cebu and Negros links). Through these physical channels, a Island. Its peripheral provinces are Negros continuous stream of communication is carried Occidental (Region 6), Oriental Negros, and out between the respective population of these Cebu. The Strait is a migration route of the regions. These inter-regional flows take the form Whalesharks as well as home to some species of of trade and commerce, socio-cultural exchange, whales. Initial oceanographic studies of water and migration, exploitation of natural resources, larvae flow suggest that the Visayan Sea is the health and educational services, and the like. net supplier of fish larvae to Tañon Strait, Each transaction affects the regions involved, suggesting that management of the strait should either beneficially in some instances or be closely linked with that of the Visayan Sea disadvantageously at other times. For this fisheries ecosystem. reason, there is a need for inter-regional cooperation and complementation to identify , also known as Mindanao Sea, activities that mutually benefit the region with a is a large body of water bounded by the islands of view to strengthening them and, conversely, Mindanao (south and east), Leyte, Bohol, and Cebu (north), and Negros (west). About 7,968 mitigate the adverse effect of disadvantageous 2 transactions. km of Bohol Sea is within Central Visayas' jurisdiction. Areas of Cooperation Finally, the East Sulu Sea is a continuum of the Sulu Sea. It is located at the southernmost There are five areas where Central part of Central Visayas. The East Sulu Sea is Visayas need to coordinate and cooperate with shared by the following provinces: Oriental other regions to ensure optimum and sustained Negros and Siquijor (Region 7), Palawan (Region use of the natural resources and promote the 4), and Zamboanga del Norte (Region 9). The portion of East Sulu Sea under Central Visayas development of the regions in the country. These 2 are: a) protection and use of natural resources jurisdiction is about 5,587 km . The East Sulu notably fisheries resources, b) physical and Sea is one of the major migratory paths of economic integration of regions, c) access to Yellowfin tunas and other economically important specialized services, d) management of large pelagic species in the country. It is part of hazardous areas, and e) tourism development one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in and promotions. the world. Fishes are mobile. They spawn, feed and Protection and Use of Fisheries Resources move around the different fisheries ecosystems irregardless of the administrative boundaries. If one part of the ecosystem becomes degraded or Central Visayas shares with a number of overfished, other components are affected. This regions the marine waters that surround the leads to a decrease in food and other benefits for region. Visayan Sea, considered the richest the human population. Conversely, if the fishery fishing ground in the country, is bordered by resources are properly managed in one province Cebu and a portion of Leyte (Region 8) to the or region but poorly managed in another, the east; by (Region 6) to the 98 Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns impact will be the same on the whole ecosystem. between urban centers and rural areas, and Eventually, livelihood and food benefits will be between the region and the rest of the country. reduced because of what is happening in the Presently, there is weak physical unregulated areas of the fisheries ecosystem. integration among provinces and regions. Since the ecosystems cross political Transportation links are not well developed and jurisdictions and are affected by the activities of coordinated. Many of the region's existing roads all provinces that border these seas, all regions do not connect to the seaports and airports. In sharing the same ecosystems should cooperate areas where Central Visayas shares the same in the proper management of the resources. In boundaries with another region, e.g. Region 6, particular, joint inter-regional initiatives should be the road system in both sides do not necessarily made with Regions 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 in the long link up with each other. The poor condition of term to ensure a sustainable food supply from the some ports and airports in other provinces and sea. regions also inhibit the interconnection or Despite many coastal management improvement and upgrading of services in these interventions in Central Visayas, the larger routes. All of these have made intra and fisheries situation remains bleak. Studies show interregional travel and trade tedious as well as that the productivity of the region's fishing areas costly. continues to show declining trends, a sign of The implementation of the Strong Republic overfishing. This affirms the need for all to Nautical Highway will facilitate the interconnection coordinate and cooperate to protect and properly of Central Visayas with other regions in the manage the country's fishery resources. These country and improve inter and intra-provincial include the promotion of sustainable fishing trade. The major task ahead is to improve the practices and the implementation of coastal ports and road network that will be traversed by resource management programs. the nautical highway.

Physical and Economic Integration of Regions Power. The Visayas regions share one power grid. The Visayas grid was formed by For rapid economic growth to take place, interconnecting the island grids of Cebu, Bohol intra and interregional economic integration is (Region 7), Negros, Panay (Region 6), Leyte, and essential. Key to the economic integration of (Region 8) through submarine cables. Central Visayas, an island region, is physical As of June 2003, the total installed integration. Physical integration facilitates the capacity of the Visayas grid is 1,647 MW. It is movement of people and services and the projected that this will not be sufficient in the near exchange of information and ideas. term to meet growing demand as a result of Essentially, physical integration means that increased economic activities in the Visayas the necessary physical infrastructures are in region. By 2013, some 1,160 MW of additional place in key areas and are working efficiently. capacity is needed to meet the expected increase These include transportation, telecommuni- in power demand in the Visayas grid. cations, and power facilities and services. The major sources of additional power is planned to come from the producing fields Transportation. The regional transportation located in Leyte in Region 8, Oriental Negros in plan calls for the development of an integrated Region 7 and Panay in Region 6. The uprating of and intermodal transport system. All modes of the Leyte-Cebu, Leyte-Bohol and Cebu-Negros transportation, including rail, bus, automobiles, power interconnection is essential to increase the air, and sea traffic will be examined in the light of capacity of the inter-island power link. this objective. The system requires smooth and efficient connections among roads, seaports, Telecommunications. In telecommunications, airports and related services, thus, facilitating the the region is far from attaining universal access to flow of goods and people among the island modern and efficient telecommunications system provinces, among the region’s urban centers, and services. First and foremost, there is a need Central Visayas Region Physical Framework Plan 99 to interconnect the local telecommunication enhance its role as the educational and medical exchange carriers to enable the people located in center in the Visayas and Mindanao. other provinces to communicate with each other. The region's educational institutions and There is also a need to promote more hospitals must continually upgrade and investments in digital infrastructure to facilitate modernize their educational and health facilities electronic connectivity of provinces and regions. and equipment to be able to offer the latest Many services as well as trading are technology and services to the people and increasingly being done through modern improve the quality of services. Since the region's telecommunications such as the internet. clientele include the people from the other Distance thus is not a hindrance anymore to Visayas regions and Mindanao, these people increased trade with other areas in the country must be included in the planning parameters. and in the world. It is therefore essential that all regions modernize their telecommunications Management of Geo-Hazard Areas systems to enable the people and businesses to communicate and have access to limitless Region VI and Region VII need to come up economic and social opportunities. with a joint management plan for Mount , an active volcano, situated in . Part Trade. Central Visayas has strong trade links of the volcano is located in Region 6 (Negros with other regions in the Visayas and Mindanao. Occidental) and a smaller area is located in These regions supply a substantial portion of the Region VII (Oriental Negros). Specifically, both raw materials needed by Central Visayas' regions need to identify common policies and industries as well as the food requirements of activities in order to minimize damage to Region 7's population. These regions are also the properties and loss of life in case Mount Kanlaon market of Central Visayas' products. erupts. As in transportation and communication, the economic activities of these regions however are still far from being integrated. Problems of poor delivery performance by suppliers from other provinces, lack of markets for the regions' other products, and lack of a steady source of raw materials for the industries reflect a weak system of production, processing, marketing and trading among the regions in the Visayas and Mindanao. Strengthening the linkage among regions such that there will evolve a countrywide network of production, processing, marketing and trading will definitely boost the regional economies of these areas, mutually benefiting all regions.

Access to Specialized Services

A substantial number of people from Eastern and Western Visayas and Mindanao come to Central Visayas for their tertiary education and for specialized medical care. Since obtaining these specialized services in will entail substantial cost, especially travel, for the people, Central Visayas, notably Cebu, is becoming a more popular alternative to Manila for obtaining these specialized services. This is an Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano, covers Oriental Negros in opportunity therefore for Central Visayas to Region VII and Negros Occidental in Region VI. (Phivolcs) 100 Development Challenges and Interregional Concerns

Tourism Development ranging from heritage/historical sites to religious sites, festivals, eco-tourism, agri-tourism, medical Tourism is one of the more promising tourism, natural landmarks, shopping, and sectors in Central Visayas and the rest of the beaches/diving. Visayas region. All regions in the Visayas Central Visayas is vigorously promoting the expressed a strong desire to vigorously develop Cebu Plus as the region’s strategy to expand and their respective tourism industry, hoping this diversify tourist sights, improve facilities and would boost the economy of their regions. attract more tourists to come into the region. The Tourism, if properly promoted, can also facilitate Cebu Plus strategy aims to establish a tourism the integration of the Visayas economy into the and travel network originating in Cebu in Central global economy, thus creating more opportunities Visayas as the hub and going out to some 15 for the regions. other provincial destinations in the Visayas, For a more effective tourism program, northern Mindanao, and southern Luzon. Under there is a need for Central Visayas and the rest of the Cebu Plus strategy, tourism industry players, the Visayas regions to link up and cooperate with LGUs and the national government will develop each other. In order to attract the various and promote LGU-identified tourist destinations segments of both the international and domestic and itineraries, develop tourism circuits and tourist market, for instance, it is imperative that introduce cruise tours to come up with an inter- Central Visayas and the other regions diversify regional tourism and travel loop that will cover the their tourism attractions, sights and itineraries. By 15 provinces/cities in the Visayas, Mindanao and linking up with each other, the Visayas regions Luzon. These tourism sites/clusters will be linked can expand and diversify their tourism products through modern, safe, fast and convenient and services to include not only those which they facilities and transport. Central Visayas is looking possess or develop. They can also include the at strengthening cooperation ties with other different tourist resources of other regions. The regions for the implementation of the Cebu Plus region’s tourism products, services and itineraries and other similar schemes. will therefore cover a wide variety and interests,

Figure 14. Cebu PLUS Tourism Strategy