Environment-Friendly Camp Attracts Tourists

January 23, 2013, 8:34pmBy Mar T. Supnad

CATAPANG JR.

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID) here has earned an image of being an environment-friendly military camp due to its effort to preserve giant, old trees inside the reservation. It is also eyeing the conversion of a portion of the  Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) into a tourist destination.

The camp’s natural cool surrounding impresses its visitors, specifically several big trees lining up the streets, serving as shields against the heat of the sun.

This was due to the leadership of the army, led by 7ID Commander, Brig. Gen. Pio Catapang Jr., who spearheaded tree and environment preservation inside the camp.

Catapang met recently with representatives from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to explore more pro-environment activities.

“During our meeting with TIEZA representatives, we discussed some of the activities that environment lovers and tourists can do here such as wall climbing, hiking, downhill mountain biking, camping, motocross riding, 4x4 off-road driving, zip-line, and horseback riding as well as water sports in our coastal areas in Dingalan, Aurora namely kayaking, scuba diving, windsurfing, jet ski, and parasailing,” Catapang told newsmen.

“Now that we are becoming insurgency-free and the reign of peace and prosperity in Regions 1 and 3, it is high time that we transform certain parts of our camp into a place of leisure where families and friends can bond together. We want them to say that you haven’t been to Nueva Ecija if you haven’t visited Fort Magsaysay, the home of Kaugnay troopers,” Catapang declared.

The FMMR, with a total land area of 44,970 hectares, was created by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 237 dated December 19, 1955. It consists of the Cantonment area, Training Circuit, Kalinga sa Kawal off-based housing for military personnel, Jethropa Plantation, National Training Center (Balikatan area), and the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Catapang challenged the rebels in the area to join them in their programs to protect Mother Nature and its bounty for the future generation of Filipinos to enjoy.

 When in Cebu City, please visit http://www.gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs. Avail of the opportunity to own a condominium unit in Cebu City together with your own parking space at the low amount of only P12,000.00+ and House and Lot @ P 7,306.81/month only. Hurry while supply of units still last. Just call the Tel. Nos. shown herein: (053)555-84-64/09164422611/09173373687.