Accommodation establishments in Sipalay City, the top beach destination in Negros Occidental, are almost full for the Holy Week holidays, according to its tourism office on Wednesday.

“I can say our accommodations are 85 percent to 90 percent booked,” supervising tourism officer Jerick Lacson said.

Sipalay, located about 175 km. south of Bacolod, is dubbed “The Jewel of Sugar Island” for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that draw foreign and domestic tourists.

Based on its tourism directory, Sipalay has more than a hundred resorts, hotels, pensions, inns and lodging houses located in Barangays 1, 2, 3 4 and 5 in the city proper as well as in Cabadiangan, Camindangan, Cartagena, Cayhagan, Mambaroto, Maricalum, and Nauhang.

In preparation for the Holy Week, the City Tourism Development and Promotion Office conducted site monitoring and distributed signages and emergency directories in various tourist attractions.

The site visit on April 15 covered Campomanes Bay in Barangay Maricalum; Zambales Spring Resort and Malinab Lagoon at Sitio Malinab, Barangay Cabadiangan; Sugar Beach in Barangay Nauhang; and Patio-Patio Spring and Underwater Cave System and Cansibit Pit in Barangay San Jose.

“This initiative reflects the local government unit’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety, comfort, and assistance of tourists through efficient emergency response measures,” the tourism office said.

On April 12, Sipalay started collecting environmental user fee in designated collection booths in Barangay Nauhang and Barangay 4 as provided in an ordinance approved in October 2022.

Local tourists are required to pay PHP50 while foreign tourists are charged PHP100 when visiting the city’s identified major tourist attractions and/or environmentally critical areas.

“This fee will contribute to the preservation and maintenance of our natural resources. We appreciate your cooperation and support in keeping our environment clean and sustainable,” the city government said in its announcement posted on Facebook.

The payment will support sustainable programs for tourism and environmental conservation, protection and management and similar programs necessary for the general welfare of Sipalaynon, the ordinance stated.

The city has also set up the Hiyas Sipalay City Pasalubong Shop, located at the Sipalay City Multi-Purpose Center, to provide visitors with a variety of authentic local souvenirs, such as handicrafts and food items created by the Association of Sipalay Producers. (PNA)