Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday said that southern Negros is comparable to Boracay, Bohol, and northern Cebu in terms of the beauty of its beaches and diving areas.

Zubiri, who visited Danjugan Island Wednesday and met with local officials from the government, suggested developing eco-tourism potentials to boost employment through tourism.

Fishermen can convert their bancas to dive boats and earn more, he said.

Zubiri noted that in Anilao, Batangas, where fishermen only earned a few hundred pesos a day from fishing now earn as much as P1,000 a day by shuttling divers to their dive spots.

At the same time, he stressed the importance of conservation efforts in the area. He said in the northern Cebu area of Malapacua, dynamite fishing was rampant, but well meaning residents converted their livelihood to eco tourism and invited the people to come to enjoy the white sand beaches and beautiful thresher sharks in their dive spots.

Within three years, the sleepy town was transformed into a mini Boracay and continuously grows because the beauty of the area is the key to the continued livelihood of its residents, Zubiri said.

The residents themselves protect their areas from poachers and illegal fishermen, he added.

Zubiri said he is committed to supporting the eco-tourism efforts of the coastal communities of southern Negros.

Zubiri was invited to Danjugan Island by Gerry Ledesma.*

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Firehouse demo set at mall

The Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade, with SM City Bacolod, will hold Amity Firehouse activities July 16 to 19, during mall hours at the mall’s North Transport Terminal, to advocate  safety and protection of human life and property.

The activity, that will include a  lecture and demonstration on Fire Awareness,  will gather students, and  private and public employees in the city, an SM press release said.

It is aimed at educating them on the dangers of seemingly harmless household materials that are not used properly, and to prevent unnecessary injuries or even death.

The Lecture Station will be handled by an Amity volunteer who will give a general fire safety lecture to participants.

The Demonstration Station aims to teach participants how to escape a burning room or a room filled with deadly and toxic smoke, and a lecture will be given  on fire prevention and safety, the press release said.

There will also be a Fire Truck Station where the actual Fire Engine, its equipment and functions during fire will be presented.

To also be set up  is the Ambulance Station where participants will be exposed to the ambulance and the Emergency Medical Technicians who operate it.

The Sparky Station will be the last stop of the participants’ visit. Sparky is the name of Amity’s mascot, which is a Dalmatian dog. Participants will get to wear actual fire fighting gear, the press release added.*

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80’s hits at resto today

A restaurant in Bacolod City will hold its first event called “Old School at Old Pab”, today, to kick off the 80’s at their resto bar, a press release from the management said.

Diners will enjoy freebies on their next visit such as free penne arrabiata for every P1,500 single food purchase, or free chicken gojounettes or pasta anakiata for every P1,000 single purchase. Come evening time, DJ Leandro Zayco will play the 80’s hits.

Evening promo includes buy one-take one on all beer and scarlet fever drinks. Old Pab is located at Piazza Sorrento Building,  Lacson Street, and is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and 5 p.m. to midnight for dinner.

It is owned and managed by brothers Luis and Thomas Carlos, and may be reached through Tel. No. 709-6722, the press release added.*

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