Cebu’s fishing town reopens tourism industry amid pandemic

CORDOVA, Cebu – The tourism industry in this fishing town on Mactan Island has reopened, joining other municipalities in Cebu that have slowly resumed tourism activities.

Mayor Maria Theresa Sitoy-Cho on Monday said Cordova has already prepared for a “better normal” setup in carrying out its tourism activities.

“We just need to follow the mandatory health protocols such as wearing face masks and observing physical distancing. We’re ready for this,” Sitoy-Cho said. “We need to resuscitate our tourism to keep our economy moving”.

The provincial government of Cebu and other stakeholders marked a ceremonial reopening of Cordova’s industry on Aug. 30.

Cordova is a third-class municipality that borders Lapu-Lapu City on the south of Mactan Island. It owns around 3,500 hectares of foreshore land, making it one of the biggest seagrass beds in the country.

The third bridge linking mainland Cebu and Mactan Island –the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway– which is under construction is seen to spur economic activities of this fishing town.

The reopening of Cordova’s tourism sector has gotten the support of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and Consolacion Mayor Johannes Alegado of Cebu’s sixth district.

Cordova is under this district but Lapu-Lapu is independent from the political jurisdiction of the Cebu provincial government, and has a lone congressional district of its own.

Cordova and Lapu-Lapu are one “being in one island, one Cebu island, and are partners in recovery, sharing the same goal of promoting tourism as a key economic driver,” Chan said.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has been pushing for the revival of tourism, which has been a key driver to Cebu’s economic growth and a main source of livelihood of many Cebuanos, including boat operators, boat men, tour guides, local souvenir vendors and drivers.

Tourism activities have resumed for local tourists who wish to avail of tour packages offered by Cordova.

“Dance with the Marine Life” is a tour package that caters to those who want to go island hopping, which Cordova is famous for.

The town’s newest attraction is the Bakhawan Paradise which offers the “Sing with the Mangroves” package.

The mangroves unexpectedly became the newest paradise of Cordova because of its peaceful ambiance that brings tranquility.

With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, booking of tourist packages can only be done online through the Cebu Province Tourism portal.

Aside from Cordova, the portal also offers the different tourist attractions in Cebu province.