TOBOSO: LEVELING UP TO THE DEMANDS OF DEVELOPMENT & PROGRESS

TOBOSO

A feature blog about the town of Toboso, Negros Occidental.

by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre

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This is Staff Sergeant Nicolas L. Mahusay Watch Tower.

S/Sgt. Mahusay is a native of Toboso. He served the Philippine Army and a Korean War Hero.

Location: Back of Toboso Public Market.

This is also known as Toboso Lighthouse. It faces the Tanon Strait,

a body of water that divides the islands of Cebu and Negros.

Photo by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre.

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Introduction

Toboso is a 3rd class municipality in Negros Occidental with an annual income of at least P750,000.00 to P1 Million per year. In 2020, it has a total Revenue of P159 Million. (Wikipedia).

The municipality of Toboso is one of my project areas when I was with the Office of the Governor in the Province of Negros Occidental. I am, therefore, familiar with the progress of the town.

After arriving from New York in September 2022, l planned a visit to Toboso which I have not visited for more than 30 years.

I am going to share my visit there through these pictures.

This is the facade of the town market. Nearby are stores that sell all the goods needed by the people of the town.

This is the back of the market that faces the sea. Nearby is the municipal wharf.

Located near the market is the Gymnasium.

This is town plaza.

The photos I posted here show the past and present infrastructure projects undertaken in Toboso.

Thirty plus years ago, these infra projects were just in the drawing board so to speak. Now, these are realities.

The Lighthouse of the Municipality of Toboso also serves as a public area where the residents can visit and have a good view of the sea, the Tanon Strait, and the nearby islands.

This is an icon that represents the town's progress. I think so.

Several Fishermen's boats are docked by the seaside.

The back of the market. This small buidling houses the restrooms and a small space that looks like a temporary office. There is a concrete pathway leading to the lighthouse.

All photos (posted above) by Henry Libo-on.

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New Municipal Hall now known as Toboso Government Center.

Source: negros-occ.gov.ph (Website of Provincial Government of Negros Occidental Republic of the Philippines)

Photo shows the incumbent Governor Eugenio Lacson with Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco, Vice Mayor Maria Luisa de la Cruz and the honorable members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Photo by negros-occ.gov.ph

Thanks.

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What to do in Toboso?

1. A familiarization running tour of the town proper.

2. Trek to Dalinson Falls

Photo by Toboso Municipal Tourism Office
at https://municipalityoftoboso.com/tourism
Thanks.

3. Spelunking at Kampanoy Cave

Source of photo: Toboso Municipal Tourism Office.

4. Visit the church, school, market, and other historical sites in the town.

5. Explore the Mainit Spring

Photo by Toboso Municipal Tourism Office.
Thanks.

6. Toboso Alphabet Selfie Spot at the Public Plaza.

Source: Toboso Municipal Tourism Office
Thanks.

7. Witness the Sag-ahan Festival every first week of July.

Source: Toboso Municipal Tourism Office
Thanks.

8. Miami Beach Toboso

Photo by Miami Beach Toboso Facebook Page.
Thanks.

9. Trangkahan Cave.

10. Explore the beaches and coastal areas as well as the mangroves.

6. Others.

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My comments:

I obseved that the munipality of Toboso has, indeed, leveled up in terms of Infrastructure development, compared to what it was more than 30 years ago. I frequented the town when the mayor was Mayor Bedonia, and when the former Provincial Assessor, Merlita Caelian, used to be the town's assessor.

I always made a trip to Toboso and Calatrava since they're neighboring towns.

Although Toboso has leveled up on infrastructure aspect of town development, it has remained simple and not at par with the neighboring towns. One of the reasons that I observed is - there were few business establishments and/or industries in the town.

I am not sure if a Strategic Planning on Economic Development of Toboso can create ripples effect once this materialized. I am not sure.

Business establishments need market, land, port, and other economic, socio-cultural, and tourism activities that can create a "market" or a crowd to sustain these economic activities.

Perhaps an economic corridor to be composed of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, and San Carlos can be created, and economic and tourism activities can be formulated to involve the four LGUs (Local Government Units). I am thinking of including Salvador Benedicto town, but it is a bit far from the 3 LGUs. Are they willing to experiment on this? Let's wait, and see?

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In the meantime, Toboso is picking up. I wish the existing activities can be sustained. This is the reason why Toboso, for me, ay parang hindi naman nag seselos sa development ng ibang towns in Negros Occidental. May sariling development strategy ang Toboso that, I hope, will level up the development and progress of the town.

Let us hope for the best things to happen to this peaceful and beautiful town on the island of Negros - TOBOSO.

Merci', Shukran, Xie Xie, Arigato, Grazie, at marami pang iba.... Salamat.

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Before you go, please read my story about Calatrava and Palau Beach Resort, and Kikulas Hill Cafe, here on Touristang Pobre travel blog.
Thank you. Salamat. Xei Xei, Arigato, Grazie. Gracias.

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Updated July 3, 2024.

About the Blogger:

*The Blogger, Henry Libo-on had been an Executive Assistant (P.A.) to the Governor of Negros Occidental and then Mayor of **Bacolod City, Honorable Alfredo L. Montelibano, Jr.

****He was a travel writer and columnist of WHAT'S ON (In the Visayas and Mindanao), a tourist guide magazine published in Cebu and distributed all over Vis-Min areas.

******He was formerly an OIC-City Planning and Development Officer of Bacolod City Government.

*******He was a former writer and columnist of the Negros Daily Bulletin published in Bacolod City and distributed all over Negros Occidental and the Western Visayas Region.

*****He was a former member of the Negros Press Club.

*****He finished a leadership training at the National Defense College of the Philippines, FLP Class #9, under the auspices of the Civil Service Commission and the National Defense College of the Philippines, Fort Bonifacio, Makati City.

*****He attended a short course on Designing Sustainable Development (master's in urban management) at the University of Canberra, Australia.

*****He was a past President of the Blue & Gold Alumni Association of ONI, UNO, and UNO-R.

*****He was past Auditor, and Member of the Board, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Bacolod City Council.

*****He was a former Instructor and Professor, BSN, and MN at Riverside College, Bacolod City.

*****He was a former Member of the Local School Board, Bacolod City

*****He was a former President of the Bacolod City-Wide Federation of PTA.

*****He was awarded as Outstanding City Government Employee of Bacolod City Government.

*****He was awarded as Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos in the field of Public Administration.

*****As a singer and representative of Bacolod City High School to the Provincial Athletic Association Meet - Literary Musical Vocal Solo Competition circa 1968-69, he brought honor to City High by winning the Championship, o' di ba ang saya?

*****He is currently a Blogger - Touristang Pobre.blogger.com and a YouTuber - Henry Touristang Pobre, and Henry Estado Squad.

*****He is a Lifetime Member of the Negrense Blogging Society.

*****He is an author of the unpublished book titled - "The River Keeps Flowing".

*****He is currently based in the U.S. but calls Bacolod City and Negros Occidental his home.

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