In a significant move for environmental and tourism development, Agusan del Norte’s 2nd District Representative Dale Corvera celebrated the passage of House Bill No. 11169. The bill, which passed its third and final reading on Wednesday, designates the Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante Sr. Mapaso Resort and Adventure Nature Park in Santiago town as an ecotourism zone. Originally introduced as HB No. 8598 by Corvera on July 25, 2023, it was later replaced by HB No. 11169, which was approved during the last House session of 2024 before the legislative recess. Corvera expressed his gratitude towards his fellow lawmakers, particularly Romblon Representative Eleandro Jesus Madrona, who leads the House Committee on Tourism. The legislation is designed to safeguard the resort and nature park, protecting its wildlife and natural resources while promoting it as a key tourist spot in the province. This initiative underscores the importance of holistic tourism development. Historically, the area was established as the Mapaso Hot Spring Forest Reserve by President Manuel Quezon in 1939 for watershed protection and timber production. In 1993, Santiago municipality passed Ordinance No. 30, designating the 50-hectare Mapaso resort and natural park as a wildlife sanctuary. A subsequent ordinance in 2023 renamed the area to honor the late Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante Sr., recognizing his significant contributions to its development and his vision to establish it as a premier tourist destination in Agusan del Norte.
