Wazzup Pilipinas!
Puerto Galera has been called the Little Boracay by most people from Metro Manila because it's the nearest you can go where you can experience fine beaches that are satisfying enough for anybody who wants to have a great time just lying under the sun in the white sandy beaches near the awesome blue waters. There are also wonderful spots for diving or snorkeling to see spectacular marine life under its waters, aside from plenty water sports and other activities that you can do in the island of Mindoro.
It's basically the main source of livelihood for many as there really are no farmlands within its lands. Puerto Galera local government is basically getting its income mostly from tourism ventures. This is why its the prime objective of the LGU to maintain and sustain its natural resources to keep people from all over the world to visit Puerto Galera.
The Municipal Mayor, Hubbert Christopher Dolor, understands the situation thus he has plans to construct an airport so that more will be encouraged to visit the island. The travel from Metro Manila to the Batangas pier and ferry motor boat ride from Batangas Pier to the island sorts of deter other tourist from going to the island because of time limitations. If there was a flight from Manila to Puerto Galera, then it would make tourist visits increase in number.
Since the influx of tourist are also seasonal. there are peak seasons where the island flourishes with visits from both local and foreign tourists, and the down seasons where a handful will be there. The rainy seasons is also a downer since the Philippine sis frequented by storms and typhoons and Puerto Galera is not exempted from it.
It is without any doubt that the island should find other ways to earn an income since they should not rely solely on tourism. They also do not have any iconic "pasalubongs" or any product to identify them with. So whenever you visit the island, all you can bring home with you are t-shirts with the words Puerto Galera and just the memories a a great beach bumming time.
Thus, the interview with Mayor Hubbert is an eye-opener for us to see what is in the future for Puerto Galera, and what the LGU has already done for the island to put it in the map of the world. Puerto Galera should be more than just "Malaparaisong Dalampasigan" boasting of how beautiful their bays are.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
