NUNUNGAN, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--Following his personal visit here Tuesday, December 21, actor Robin Padilla guaranteed to pour out his support on the development of Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park with its Nunungan Lake, especially now that it is aspiring to be the country’s 10th ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP). \

The actor stressed he is doing this as he saw the area inclined to advancement while still embracing the culture, believing that preserving the culture is vital in every nation amid the pursuit of progress.

“Ang bayan na walang kultura, ang tawag diyan ampaw. Ibig sabihin, walang lakas. Kumbaga, puno na walang ugat ang taong walang kultura kaya ang mga ganitong lugar ay sinusuportahan dapat… Dapat hindi mawala ang culture. Kailangan alagaan natin ang kultura. Hindi pwede papatayin ng development ang kultura. Dapat kasama iyon at partner sila,” he said while showing his gratefulness for being able to visit the place.

[A nation without culture, that is called puffed rice. It means no strength. More like, a person without culture is a tree without roots, that is why this kind of place must be supported… Culture must not vanish. We need to keep our culture. Development must not kill the culture. They must be together and partners.]

Padilla, known as well as “Abdul Aziz”, shared some of his commitments in support of the initiatives for Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park and Nunungan Lake wherein he stressed that the first thing he will do is to be side by side with Nunungan Municipal Mayor Marcos Mamay which is seen as an appropriate leader for pushing programs for the enhancement of the area.

“Kailangan iyong leader, responsable. Iyon muna ang dapat nating maidentify kasi prone ito sa exploitation. Although my development, nandoon pa rin ang preservation. Walang pwedeng pumutol ng puno dito,” said Padilla.

[The leader needs to be responsible. That must be the first one that we must identify because this is prone to exploitation. Although my development, the preservation must still be there. No one is allowed to cut trees here.]

Further, as an artist and a vlogger, he likewise planned to frontline the promotion of the existence of the tourist spot to his countrymen and the whole world.

Padilla further underscored the significance of Federalism in the tourism sector here, citing that through this government system, states will be given a focused opportunity to promote their tourist destinations.

“Kapag natuloy ang Federalismo, mas magkakaroon ng kapangyarihan iyong mga estado, katulad ng Mindanao o ano pa man, na ipromote iyong kanilang mga magagandang lugar at maproteksyonan. Wala kasing pwedeng mag-alaga ng lugar nila kung hindi ang taga roon. Hindi pwedeng alagaan ng kahit na sino ang isang lugar na hindi naman siya taga doon,” he said.

[If Federalism happens, the states, like Mindanao or anything else, will have more power to promote their beautiful spots and protect them. There can be no one to take care of their place, other than those residents there. A place cannot be taken care of by someone who is not living there.]

He also cited the essence of visiting local tourist destinations to see and experience personally their wonder and the needs of the keepers.

Padilla conveyed his thanks to the national and provincial governments for supporting the municipality in its endeavor to preserve while cultivating Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park and Nunungan Lake. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Norte)