60-foot giant cross to rise in tourism hub

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – A 60-foot giant cross will soon rise at the Mandayao Panorama Park in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan on Wednesday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the structure that is targeted to be completed in summer next year.

The event is part of Tourism Week celebration of the town.

Mangilimutan said it is part of the effort of the local government to convert the area, which was once a hotbed of insurgency, into a tourism hub.

It will be the take off point for the tourism highway envisioned by the local government, she added.

Several meters away from the site is the recently inaugurated Century Leaf Garden, also part of the 56-hectare property owned by the Infante family which is covered by a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the local government.

Mangilimutan said the development of the area into a tourism hub will also generate employment for locals like the Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) who are displaced because of the coronavirus disease-2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.

Aside from the giant cross, also set to be constructed is an ecumenical church to cater to different religious sects.

Francisco Frederick Infante, representative of the Infante family, said the development of the area into a tourism site is a legacy they share with the people of the town especially the younger generation.

With the mayor during the event are Vice Mayor Manuel Vera, municipal councilors, OIC Tourism Officer Remuel Lajo and other town officials.