29/10/2026
πππ¬π’π‘π π ππ¬π’π‘: π¦ππππππ π£π¨π¦πππ¦ π¦π¨π¦π§πππ‘ππππ π§π’π¨π₯ππ¦π πππ©πππ’π£π ππ‘π§ ππ‘ ππ’π¨π₯ πππππ¬ πππ¦π§ππ‘ππ§ππ’π‘π¦
Seeking to expand Albayβs tourism opportunities beyond its world-renowned Mayon Volcano, Albay 3rd District Representative Raymond Adrian E. Salceda is pushing for the sustainable development of four natural and historical destinations, advancing a vision of tourism that protects the environment, preserves the provinceβs heritage, and creates lasting livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Through four proposed measures sponsored before the House Committee on Tourism, Salceda is seeking to put Mount Quiasog in Libon, Simeon Ola Cave in Guinobatan, Jovellar Cave and Underground River in Jovellar, and Buhawi Hills in Pioduran on a broader tourism development agenda.
The proposals recognize that Albayβs tourism potential extends beyond its most recognizable landmark. Its mountains, caves, underground river, and historical sites offer opportunities to diversify visitor destinations, create community-based enterprises, and distribute tourism-related economic activity to more municipalities.
For Salceda, however, expanding tourism must not come at the expense of the natural resources and cultural heritage that make these destinations worth visiting.
βSa Albay, hindi lamang Mayon ang puwedeng puntahan. Mayroon tayong mga bundok na puwedeng akyatin, mga kuweba at underground river na maaaring tuklasin, at iba pang mga likas na yaman na dapat nating pangalagaan,β Salceda said in his sponsorship speech.
βThe destinations are already there. The opportunity is already there. Ang hamon ngayon: paano natin bubuksan ang mga lugar na ito sa turismo nang hindi natin sinisira ang mismong dahilan kung bakit sila dinarayo,β he added.
The four bills, House Bills Nos. 4002, 4008, 4010, and 4013, share a common principle: tourism development must be guided by environmental safeguards, historical preservation, responsible planning, and meaningful opportunities for the communities that host visitors.
Under House Bill No. 4002, Salceda seeks the sustainable development of Mount Quiasog in Libon as an ecotourism destination, with potential for trekking and other nature-based activities.
Beyond attracting visitors, the proposed development could open opportunities for local tour guides, handicraft makers, and small community enterprises. The measure emphasizes the importance of keeping tourism activities within the mountainβs carrying capacity to prevent excessive pressure on its natural environment.
In Guinobatan, House Bill No. 4008 seeks to recognize Simeon Ola Cave as a historical ecotourism site, linking environmental conservation with the preservation of the legacy of General Simeon Ola.
The proposal envisions appropriate conservation measures, historical markers, and visitor facilities that could help make the siteβs historical significance more accessible to the public while protecting its integrity.
βHindi lang po ito isang kuweba. It is about preserving the memory of General Simeon Ola and allowing visitors to experience a part of Albayβs history where it actually happened,β Salceda said.
For Salceda, developing historical destinations also means ensuring that future generations can continue to understand and appreciate the people and events that helped shape the provinceβs identity.
Meanwhile, House Bill No. 4010 seeks the careful development of the Jovellar Cave and Underground River, a cave designated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as Class II.
Recognizing the environmental sensitivity of the site, Salceda emphasized that tourism activities must operate within clear limits. Visitor management, safety standards, and respect for the caveβs carrying capacity are essential to preventing tourism from damaging the very ecosystem it seeks to showcase.
In Pioduran, House Bill No. 4013 seeks to develop Buhawi Hills for trekking, eco-adventure, and other sustainable tourism activities.
Salceda stressed that proper planning must come before construction, particularly in areas where uncontrolled development could contribute to soil erosion and environmental degradation. The proposed approach aims to ensure that tourism infrastructure supports responsible access without compromising the destinationβs natural features.
Together, the four measures seek to establish a development approach suited to the distinct characteristics of each destination rather than applying a one-size-fits-all tourism model.
Beyond destination development, Salceda emphasized that tourism should generate tangible opportunities for the people who live in and around these areas.
As new destinations attract visitors, local residents could participate in the tourism economy through guiding services, accommodation, food, handicrafts, local products, and other community-based enterprises.
Such opportunities could help broaden the distribution of tourism-related economic activity across Albayβs Third District, allowing communities outside established tourism centers to participate in the provinceβs visitor economy.
βHindi lamang natin gustong dumami ang turista. Gusto nating ang bawat turistang dumarating ay makatulong sa kabuhayan ng komunidad, sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan, at sa pagpapanatili ng kasaysayan at kultura ng Albay,β Salceda said.
The emphasis on community participation reflects a central challenge in tourism development: attracting visitors is only one part of building a sustainable destination. Ensuring that local residents benefit from the resulting economic activity, while protecting the resources on which tourism depends, is equally important.
For the proposed initiatives to deliver on that objective, effective implementation, environmental safeguards, appropriate infrastructure, and meaningful community participation will be crucial.
Salceda said expanding tourism and protecting the environment should not be treated as competing goals.
Instead, he argued that responsible planning can help communities benefit from tourism while preserving the ecological and historical value of the destinations that attract visitors in the first place.
For environmentally sensitive areas such as caves and underground river systems, this means recognizing ecological limits and establishing appropriate visitor controls. For mountains and hills, it means planning access and infrastructure carefully. For historical sites, it means making heritage more accessible without diminishing its significance.
The approach also seeks to ensure that development decisions account for the long-term condition of each destination, rather than focusing solely on immediate visitor growth.
βWe want more people to discover Albay. But when they come, we want the communities to benefit. We want our history to remain alive. We want our ecosystems to remain healthy,β Salceda said.
βWe want the next generation of Albayanos to inherit these places better, not worse, than we found them.β
Albayβs tourism identity has long been closely associated with Mayon Volcano, but the four proposed measures seek to bring greater attention to other destinations that reflect the provinceβs natural diversity and historical depth.
By advancing the development of Mount Quiasog, Simeon Ola Cave, Jovellar Cave and Underground River, and Buhawi Hills, Salceda is proposing a broader approach to tourism, one that combines destination development with conservation, cultural preservation, and community-based economic opportunities.
The proposed legislation sets out a framework for developing these sites responsibly. Its ultimate impact will depend on how the measures progress through the legislative process and how their provisions are implemented, funded, and sustained.
The broader objective, however, is clear: to help more people discover Albay while ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach local communities and that the provinceβs natural and historical treasures remain protected.
For Albay, the opportunity lies not only in attracting more visitors, but in building a tourism future that values its people, safeguards its environment, and preserves its heritage for generations to come.
