TIEZA set to build Php28-M hotel in Tawi-Tawi's Turtle Island

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, June 5 (PNA) -- The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is set to construct a Php28 million hotel in the municipality of Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi.

Specifically, the hotel will be constructed in Taganak, which is the biggest among the seven islets that comprises the Turtle Island municipality.

This came about after the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) has approved by way of a resolution during its meeting Wednesday the construction of the hotel after a representative of TIEZA presented the plans and perspective of the project.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Information Officer Rosevirico Tan said Thursday the project is aimed to boost the ecotourism as well as accommodate tourists to the Turtle Island Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS).

Tan said the TIEZA has sought the authority from PAMB to construct the hotel since the Board oversees the TIWS in the Turtle Island.

The PAMB is chaired by DENR Regional Executive Director Arleigh Adorable.

Tan said the hotel, which will be funded by TIEZA, will consist of one main building and eight cottages, a restaurant, and a power house.

He said the other facilities that will be constructed in the area is a building to house law enforcement personnel and a small port for tourist boats.

He said the hotel will be modestly designed but functional “to accommodate guests and provide the basic comforts that they need during their visit in the area.”

Adorable said the project will be implemented within this year.

The Turtle Islands is a 5th class municipality composed of a remote group of seven islands in the province of Tawi-Tawi.

Aside from Taganak, the other islands that comprises of the municipality are Sibaung, Boaan, Lihiman, Great Bakkungaan, Langaan, and Baguan.

Taganak is the largest island with an area of 116 hectares and the smallest is Sibaung with an area of only 0.1 hectare.

The municipality has a population of 3,772 in 646 households based on the 2010 census of the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The Turtle Islands municipality is located within the Sulu Sea at the southwestern tip of the country, at the edge of the international treaty limits separating the Philippines and Malaysia. (PNA)
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