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Our part of the Archipelago, Bicol is considered among the most economically depressed regions of our country. This owes in part to its isolated location vis-à-vis the financial and business center which is the National Capital Region , or Metro Manila, and in part to the lack of employment opportunities within its six (6) provinces. Bicol can hardly boast of any appreciable processing activity. Our farm produce is marketed, whether inside or outside its boundaries, either in raw or semi-processed form, with no significant value added.
Caramoan typifies this situation. Located at the southeasternmost tip of Luzon, it is not easily accessible to the financial and business center that is Naga City. Travel by sea, which is the usual and more available means, takes more or less 4 hours, a good part of an 8-hour business day. In 3 months of the year monsoon weather makes sailing a horrible, nightmarish experience, not to mention the prospect of both traveler and cargo suffering from some unwanted wear and tear. (Oh yes, passengers could drown and cargoes could be lost-Ed.) Although an alternate route, the Presentacion - Caramoan maintain road has become available for the past ten (10) years or so, its condition is such that it cannot be considered a great improvement. In fact, the trip between Caramoan and Naga City is an hour longer, barring any interruption from a broken axle, flat tire or a landslide during rainy weather, and the ride is anything but safe or comfortable.
Suddenly there is a ray of hope out of this dismal condition for Caramoanons. Soon the Presentacion - Caramoan coastal road will change all this. Travel will become shorter by 24 km. as against the 49 km. of the mountain route, and much more enjoyable as the sea breeze will cool the way and the majestic Mayon will never be out of sight. Also the roads can be made with less turns or undulations.
When this happens, hopefully in a year or two, Caramoan’s isolation will be a thing of the past. Before year-end 2006, ground breaking will commence. With sufficient funds already waiting to be drawn, construction will surely proceed smoothly.
And this is the day we must prepare for. When the first two- wheeled or four-wheeled motor vehicle roars down this road into Guijalo, it will be too late. The tourists have invaded and we are caught with our pants down. When I referred in the previous issue of The CRANE Monitor to the ugly aspects of Caramoan life ---the unattractive porters, the unpaved roads, the littered poblacion streets and filthy pigsties – it was not meant to criticize. For criticism is antagonistic and unproductive. It was meant rather as a wake up call to prepare the way for the coming of our town’s saviour---Tourism.
For tourists are so called because their business is to go places to see and enjoy the beautiful and pleasant sights in those places. And they spend their money. It would be most unfortunate for Caramoan if that first motorbiker or car owner would turn back where they came from should he feel unwelcome. He may never see our much touted Gota beach nor savor our hospitality. Then our beloved town may have missed a golden opportunity. And may never have another.
