Feature: Beachfront Development of Brgy. Punta Taytay Beautiful, Attractive

The seaside village which is vastly developed as a beachfront resort promises to be among the best in Bacolod City with close to two dozen restaurants, called

viewing deck and a mangrove swamp reforestation project regularly being undertaken by various groups and organizations. The village’s effort at development under the helm of Brgy. Captain Rufino Alcala, is in contrast to that of nearby Pahanocoy Village which has been ravaged by the cutting and bulldozing of its mangrove forest and which was planted for a long period of 30 years by businessman Aaron Sorbito, who has filed a case against contractor Andres Taculod who practically ransacked the mangrove forest despite the opposition of Sorbito and Pahanocoy Village officials a few years ago.

The construction of 19 restaurants which are all elevated from the ground, and built near the sea in the village has fetched the local village government some P28,500 a month, village head, Alcala told NNF in an interview Saturday. There are not only 19 but 20 of the seaside restaurants, with one utilized as an events center by the village.

In a move to ensure that the village is protected from erosion and that this would become palatable for tourists and visitors alike, the Pahanocoy Village Council and the Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have jointly carved out a ten-hectare project area which includes the planting of mangrove trees regularly. The front of the viewing decks will then also become a sight for sore eyes.

"The area was previously full of mud, not sand, said Alcala, but when it is planted to mangrove seedlings called propagules and when it grew to become mangrove trees, it will be converted with sand," said the Pahanocoy village head, whose term of office, is only the last several months until the coming elections in May 2013. The sand because also of the effects of the shifting tide will accumulate gradually.

Alcala suggested it should also be done in Brgy. Banago which, like his village, is located near the sea.

Most restaurants in the area which also serve delicious food, including seafoods are full, especially during weekends.

The development carried out by the barangay council alone has changed the face of Punta Taytay, with its facade greatly improved and which definitely has and would be attractive to visitors and tourists.

Members of the Negros Press Club (NPC) led by Pres. Arman Toga which carried out planting of mangrove seedlings have evinced appreaciation for village leader, Alcala for single-handedly and with the support of the village council in carrying out the project, without which it could have pushed through.

Aside from raising revenues for the village, the restaurants were built with the assistance and support of beverage companies, an initiative which is laudable.

It is a legacy which gladdens and greatly lifts not only Alcala’s mind and heart but that of the villagefolks.

Indeed, the development of Brgy. Punta Taytay seems to be thinking its noses at contractor, Andres Taculod, and saying shame on you Taculod, broadcaster Jeffrey Gelangre said.*