DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte (PNA) – Government and private stakeholders are upbeat in developing this city’s two islands as potential eco-tourism havens.

The city government here is gearing up to provide domestic and foreign tourists with places where they could enjoy nature while coming to this city during festivals like the “Kinabayo Festival,” with centerpiece events from July 16 and culminating in July 25 with the annual feast of St. James The Greater, this city’s patron saint.

The city and Zamboanga del Norte provincial governments, in partnership with the management of Dakak Park and Beach Resort, were focusing the development efforts on Aliguay and Selinog Islands, which are made up of 66 hectares and 72 hectares, respectively.

Councilor Apple Marie Agolong, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on tourism, said that Aliguay and Selinog Islands were island villages located roughly 10 and 14 kilometers, respectively, from Tag-ulo Point.

Agolong said both Aliguay and Selinog are about 25-minute ride away from this city’s mainland.

Both islands, which are rich in aquatic resources, boast of wide white sand beaches.

Agolong said Aliguay Island, which has three diving sites and has been identified as a marine sanctuary, would be the first one to be developed.

Zamboanga del Norte provincial government, through the provincial tourism office headed by Patrick Ivan Ang, is also involved in developing Aliguay Island into an eco-tourism park.

Aliguay, which is nearer to Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte, than to this city, is also the site of the fishing competition during Hudyaka sa ZaNorte, the week-long anniversary celebration of the province.

Agolong said the construction of Octopus restaurant and cottages on Aliguay Island were being fast-tracked and expected to be completed in the next three months.

At present, tourists could stay in a three-bedroom, three-storey house on Aliguay Island for three days and two nights for a fee.