SUGBONGCOGON, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--Despite the disruption brought upon by coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic in the tourism industry on a global scale, Subgongcogon Mayor Mildred Lagbas-Mondigo said their town continues on showcasing, and utilizing natural wonders and scenic landscapes amid the new normal.

“Though we have this very small municipality, we are declared as the summer capital and we are very lucky enough to be declared by the province of Misamis Oriental knowing we have a lot of beautiful places here in Sugbongcogon,” Mondigo said during the Network Briefing News with Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, July 30.

Locally recognized as the “Summer Capital of Misamis Oriental,” Sugbongcogon makes use of highlands and pristine beaches as main sources of income through its tourism industry, with notable destinations such as the Mantianak Botanical Garden and Zoological Park, Mimbuaya Falls, and Alibuag Beach Park.

In lieu of their usual tourism initiatives, the mayor added that they are focusing on “farm tourism” destinations that follow the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) accreditation spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) while also utilizing its agricultural lands at its maximum capacity.

Further, to counter the lost of jobs in their tourism industry, the Local Government of Sugbongcogon also aims to aid their destinations adapt to the standards of the new normal, which requires minimum health safety protocols in all establishments for the mitigation of the spread of the virus, with one example, Halseyle Hill, a private owned scenic overlooking spot in Poblacion which opened in the middle of the pandemic.

Despite the challenges brought upon the global health crisis, the mayor remains steadfast and optimistic for their municipality’s future saying, “I believe that tourism is a very big help to our people in Sugbongcogon, that’s why we are planning to operate again,” she said. (VPSB/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)