By:
Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY,
July 25 (PIA) - - Barely a week after
the “Vinta Sail” launch on Saturday (July 21), news spread like fire and imagination-mover
photos enchanted locals and people
outside Zamboanga City to look forward to a different kind of adventure
experience- the “vinta sailing” activity.
“We are getting good responses not only
from our locals but also from people outside Zamboanga that they also want to
try to sail on our vinta,” said DOT Regional Director Mary June Bugante.
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| DOT RD Mary June Bugante |
She said the photos of the colorful “Vinta
Sail” launching posted online by members of the camera club did helped a lot in
spreading the “good news” to neighboring provinces and cities.
Bugante said the office have been receiving
positive reaction from people after they’ve seen these pictures on face book,
blog sites and other social networking sites.
This latest “pakulo” (gimmickry) is
expected to boost local tourism as this will give the people a new kind of
“vinta sailing” experience.
“Zamboanga City is known for its colorful
Vintas. It is the city’s icon. when visitors come to Zamboanga, they always
look for our Vinta, but we always end up showing them the souvenir item-vinta
or bring them to la Vista del Mar where we have the colorful “layag” of the
vinta, but not the real thing,” Bugante expressed.
“So after deliberation, we came up with the
idea of having vintas readily available not only for viewing but for real-life
vinta sail experience--- so, came the vinta sail launching,” the active lady
director explained.
As of the moment, there are five (50 vintas
on standby at the Paseo Del Mar, four (4) of which can accommodate two (2)
passengers and a “bangkero” and one (1) of which can accommodate three (3)
passengers and two (2) bangkeros.
The Vinta Sailing activity is a “weekend
delight” as it will take the passengers on cruise during Saturdays and Sundays
from 4pm to 6pm.
“But depending on the clamor of the public,
we might also have it during weekdays,” Bugante hoped.
Bugante said, the bangkeros are local
fishermen “they fish in the morning and they sail in the afternoon.”
“All of the 5 vintas are dully registered
with DOT, the banagkeros have undergone basic orientation and they have gone
through the proper registration process,” Bugante informed.
Passengers who want to ride on the vinta
will have to pay P50 per head for a 15-30 minute ride within the buoy area as identified
by the Philippine Coast Guard.
“The passengers can also do the rowing or
paddling themselves if they opt to,” Bugante said.
Passengers ages 7 and up may take the vinta
sail.
For their safety, passengers will be asked
to wear a life jacket readily provided for, and a coast guard rescue team on
board a rubber boat will be patrolling the area.
“We are encouraging the public to try
riding the Vinta as it is the city’s icon. Try this adventure of a real-life
vinta sailing and be amazed,” Bugante persuaded.(JPA/PIA9-ZBST)
