Negros as next tourism hub

Illustration by Mok Pusung

Bacolod City—A 13,016-ha integrated tourism complex set to rise in Silay City is seen to help position Negros Island as an emerging tourism hub.

This, according to Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, was the vision for the complex, which will include the P600-million Magikland theme park, hotels, as well as a commercial and lifestyle center, and which is expected to generate quality jobs for the provinces.

“I think Negros can lead the way, and eventually the Philippines will position itself as a tourism country,” he said.

Benitez also announced last month that the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) has designated the said complex site as a Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ).

The Tieza designation was granted to Aton Land and Leisure (ALL) owned by the family of Benitez. ALL is developing the tourism complex. Signing the registration agreement were Tieza COO Pocholo Joselito Paragas and ALL president Reynaldo Bantug.

The said designation will grant all those who locate within the Silay tourism complex fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, including a six-year income tax holiday, or 5 percent gross income tax in lieu of all other taxes, except real estate taxes and such fees as may be imposed by the TIEZA, Bantug explained.

Future locators will also be allowed tax and duty free importation of capital investment and equipment, transportation equipment and spare parts, and consumable goods and services.

The TEZ may likewise employ foreign nationals in executive, supervisory, technical or advisory positions for reasonable periods and under terms provided by the Tieza Board, provided that the total number of foreigners will not exceed 5 percent of the total workforce, Bantug further explained.

Meanwhile, all social responsibility endeavors at the site will also be entitled to 50 percent tax deduction of the cost, said Tieza team leader Cesar Landrigan.

Such endeavors may include environmental protection or cultural heritage, preservation activities, and sustainable livelihood programs, as approved by the Tieza Board.

The agreement further stated that the 5.6-ha Magikland, a world-class theme park, will not only offer rides and attractions, but also educational and cultural exhibits.

According to Benitez, four of the Magikland major rides arrived at the Silay site in June. These were sourced from Italian firm Zamperla, the biggest supplier of Disneyland rides.

The rides, which were unloaded in the presence of Tieza representatives, included the Roller Coaster, Drop Tower, Disc O and Family Swinger.

The Ferris wheel will arrive in July and six more rides in September, Benitez added.

Bantug added that tourism is a major way to develop Negros, as he stressed the need for a unified province-wide effort to sell the province as a distinct place to go to.

“We hope Magikland will contribute significantly towards that end,” he said, noting that they aim to cater to the “millennial population.”

Bantug added that Magikland will highlight local folklore to make it distinct and to help promote the Negros culture. A movie will also be made on the mythical characters of Magikland to kick off the promotion of the theme park, Bantug said.

Bantug added that they will likewise set up a foundation to develop Negros talents.

The theme park was the dream of his uncle, businessman Sammy Palanca, ALL chairman, who, as early as the 1950s and 60s used to bring foreign circuses to Bacolod, he added.

Magikland project director Ed Fuentes said the theme park will have three zones—a magical zone for the younger children; another for the older ones; and a cultural zone at the center that is set to replicate the old Silay.

Fuentes said they target to open the theme park in the first quarter of next year.

The horror house that will be completed later on will be the most dominant feature of the park, he added.