The Views at Estanza Ridge

A new tourist attraction is rising in the southern highlands of Legazpi City...

Ocean View. Poliqui Bay as viewed from the ridge.

Locals have already grown accustomed to the Legazpi Boulevard, which though has fantastic views, may not be as grand as this new attraction.

City View. Legazpi as can be seen from the ridge.

Popularly known as the Highlands due to the name of the new subdivision located there, I'd rather have it named as "Estanza Viewing Ridge" because it is precisely a ridge with splendid views. Estanza is the name of the barangay where the ridge is located.

This is the best I can do to fit all three in one frame but it's still a miss.

Unlike other attractions in the city, this ridge has a full view of Mayon Volcano, the city of Legazpi, and the scenic Poliqui Bay all in one frame. Unfortunately, it is very hard to fit all these three in one picture so you'll never appreciate the grandeur I'm talking about unless you visit the place.

Verdant Greens. 
The vibrance of nature seems to be the perfect frame for all the pictures you'd like to capture there.

The views are astounding and --- there is an AND here --- the verdant greens of the pastures seem to give it more life as beautiful frames adding charm to the nice things you can already see there.

Lush green forests looming in the horizon...

But there is another AND here --- the site is blessed with balmy winds to relax you. If there had been hammocks there, you'd lull to sleep in no time!

However, the tourists do not seem to value the beauty of the place. Yes, they find it easy to enjoy the balmy climate and of course the views but they also seem to lack the understanding that to continuously enjoy the place, they'd have to keep their trash inside their bags.

Trash and filth thrown everywhere...

There is trash all over. People need to realize that garbage sprawling around takes away the ridge's beauty and, as locals of the province, they have an interest in keeping it clean and green for, otherwise, it will not lure tourists to bring in revenues for the local economy, and ultimately to themselves as well.

The local governments should device ways in keeping the ridge clean. They need no new ordinance at all as throwing trash is already considered illegal nationwide through the passage of RA 9003. Section 48 explicitly mentions that it is a criminal offense to throw or dump wastes in public places such as roads and sidewalks.

The LGUs may implement this law by apprehending violators of Section 48. Courts, meanwhile, may impose the penalty of community service of up to 15 days [Sec. 49].

To effectively implement this provision, there must be police officers who should do rounds there.

Highlands

The entrance to Highlands. Visiting the subdivision will easily tell you why no one would like to live there. 
Tourists are barred from entering. 

The subdivision is at the centerpiece of the viewing ridge. It is located right next to the intersection going to Old Albay, Daraga and Legazpi Port. However, it seems to be a misfit in the area. The place is not suitable for residential purposes at all. As a ridge, the slopes would not be too easy for construction of houses. It could pose risks to landslides and other drastic erosions too. I was invited to see the subdivision inside (it is not open to people other than prospective buyers) and, upon seeing, I was not too keen on having a house there. I think it's much more suitable for commercial and tourism purposes considering its really nice views.

Sitio Palanas

The quaint designs of the gate to Sitio Palanas.

A certain village exists along the ridge that is unknown to everyone. I chanced upon it while walking down the slopes. Its name is Sitio Palanas. According to the residents, it has been existing for hundreds of years already.

Sitio Palanas is so tiny that you cannot even tell which one it is in this picture.
One clue: the small children live there.

However, Sitio Palanas is owned by a certain doctor and the ones who live there may just be tenants even though they've been its residents since time immemorial. 

One thing so nice about Sitio Palanas is their use of recyclable materials. I just wonder if these bottles would remain after the next typhoon...

The village has some rustic appeal to it and it seems to be a happy place. I wish it retains its nature despite the impending development of the ridge. It has been existing for several generations and should be kept as such forever. Besides, it may serve some tourism purposes too. 

Horseback riding down its slopes may be a nice idea, or it could be turned into an al fresco cafe where tourists sip coffee while interacting with the locals overlooking the mountain, the city and the bay.

Whatever idea may the developer have in mind, I firmly wish that the place retains its essence as a village or sitio and that the tenants be included as proactive partners in its development.

As Tourism Enterprise Zone?

The Tourism Act of 2009 provides that certain contiguous areas suitable for tourism purposes may be applied for as Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZs), which are akin to special economic zones where investing is highly encouraged and promoted through the granting of several tax incentives such as:

1.     Income Tax Holiday for six years following start of operations that may be extended for another six years

2.     5 % preferential tax on gross income in lieu of national taxes except for real property taxes and fees of TIEZA

3.     Import tax exemptions for capital goods and equipment needed for TIEZA-registered activities

4.     Import tax exemptions for transport equipment and spare parts needed for TIEZA-registered activities

5.     Exemptions from VAT and Excise Tax goods imported by TIEZA-registered activities

Estanza Viewing Ridge deserves to be developed into a TEZ considering the many things it offers to leisure and relaxation. By developing it into a TEZ, it will spur economic growth and development in the area.

However, the LGU must be very careful in developing the site. It must do so in a way that will not compromise its beauty, charm, and its nature as a park. Too much development may not be good at all.

Your Ideas & Suggestions

Lavender sunsets look all the more enigmatic with the silhouette of Mayon within view.

Estanza Viewing Ridge is fairly new and is almost void of development so this is the perfect time for us to voice out our opinions, suggestions, ideas and even concerns.

You may use the comments section below for this purpose. Let all your voices be heard to keep this place beautiful while maximizing all of its potentials.