Throughout 2019, TwoEco worked closely with the various local governments of Zamboanga del Norte and with the regional office of the Department of Tourism in drafting their provincial tourism development plan. In drafting the plan, we conducted consultations and workshops with stakeholders, and traveled throughout much of the province, visiting remote islands and their beaches, exploring caves and night markets, walking along seaside boulevards, visiting heritage sites and landmarks, and tasting some of the freshest seafood in the country.
Our proposal centers on the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, with networks radiating northward to new beaches and highland attractions, and southwards to even more beaches and protected islands, then to the interior for caves and waterfalls. Dipolog serves as the urban core and gateway of the province, with a potentially iconic seaside boulevard and esplanade and a nascent foodie culture, while Dapitan in turn serves as a culture and leisure node, with the richness of its historical sites, amusement parks, and beautiful beaches.
Our proposal includes physical interventions for its key sites, particularly in Dipolog's seaside boulevard and Dapitan's Rizal experience. We then provided a framework for the sustainable development of the beachfront areas throughout the province, particularly positioning Liloy as the "Gateway to the Sunset Coast", and Sibutad as the province's "North Shore". We highlighted as well the religious significance of the town of Jose Dalman as the martyrdom site of Fr. Francesco Palliola, an early Jesuit missionary, and Manukan town as the spelunking center for the province. Finally, we provided recommendations for the culinary experience of "sutukil" in Sindangan town, and for the sustainable development of the highlands of Mutia.
We are proud to have worked with the tourism stakeholders of Zamboanga del Norte, its cities of Dapitan and Dipolog, its municipalities, and with the Department of Tourism Region IX.