BARANGAY Bonbon, the so-called Bonracay of Cagayan de Oro for its fine beaches and abundant ‘yamang dagat,’ has the potential to become one of the region’s diving destinations for tourist attraction in the near future.
This, was after the City Tourism-led exploration group conducted an “assessment” of Barangay Bonbon’s newly-refurbished Coral Reef Sanctuary last Sunday morning, February 23.
Aided by the Barangay Bonbon Council and reinforced by the Maritime, Saviors of the Sea (SOS), Bajao Divers, City Agriculture Office, Urban Search and Rescue (Usar), and PNP personnel, the combined forces were taken by at least four fishing boats to the nearby sanctuary, some 500 meters away from Raagas beach, where divers scanned the seafloor to investigate for further analysis.
“Although mabaw, improving iyang coral reef daghan patsada nga talan-awon. Kon ma-improve pa gyod in five-year’s time naa na gyo’y development nga mahitabo which is beneficial for Barangay Bonbon tourism-wise,” female diver Pearl Lagsa of SOS’ Bayani ng Dagat told Gold Star Daily.
Local divers Protasio Paasa and Manuel Varga have both agreed there’s something special about Bonracay’s sea habitat that may qualify for a diving spot five to ten years from now.
“Isa ka direction sa coral reef sanctuary pa lang ilang nasuyod unya lubog-lubog ang dagat. Mas ma-appreciate nila ang place kon early in the morning sila nilusong kay tin-aw ang tubig,” said Bonbon resident Elmor del Puerto, the guardian of the sanctuary, who is employed with the City Agriculture Office.
Bonbon chair Lelit Baal-Molina, who joined the exploration upon the prodding of barangay councilors Jerome Sambaan, Michael Adame, Lope Matildo, Dhede Baslot, and Irvin Paul Paasa, was overwhelmed by the sea wonders underneath on her first-hand-experience to explore the sanctuary.
“Grabe ka enjoy klase-klase nga isda imong makita unya pagka nindot sa seabed kon adunay kinabuhi ang coral reef,” Molina shared.
Grizzled Bonbon sea hunter Rey Sambaan revealed that the soon-to-be-developed diving area was a sight to behold in the past.
“Apan nadaut lang tungod sa nahitabo nga mga dynamite fishing sa una,” Sambaan said.
City Tourism representatives Gina Mercado and Perlie Aba suggest that its proximity from the city proper would make Bonbon's projected diving attraction somewhat achievable, citing “amenities,” “accommodation,” “accessibility,” “attraction,” and “activity” as the five As needed for it to qualify.
“Aside from taking care of the sanctuary to attain quality improvement, importante ang amenities nga ma improve like infrastructures sa surroundings, and then naay cooperation sa community kay ang cleanliness mo affect gyod sa habitat. The residents should cooperate for cleanliness to avoid, if not minimize pollution,” they said.
