Former Panglao, Bohol mayor Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan (left) has filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice mayor on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Contributed photo)
TAGBILARAN CITY- A former town mayor and environment advocate filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice mayor of Panglao, Bohol on Tuesday.
Doloreich Dumaluan, a doctor by profession, was among the first to submit their COCs before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) local office under the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (PROMDI / Abag-Promdi).
“I want to serve more the people of Panglao since there are many things to do,” he said.
He said he will focus on tourism promotion, shoreline rehabilitation on the eroded white sand of Panglao, and establishment of waste water treatment facility.
“I will bring back small players for tourism sustainability.. and to tell our tourists and locals that Panglao is not an expensive place since there will be choices for all,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement
Panglao, a popular tourist destination in the country for its white sandy beaches, has at least 41,000 residents.
Article continues after this advertisement
Before Dumaluan became mayor of Panglao in 2004-2007, he was appointed as acting councilor of Tagbilaran City in from 1986 to 1988, and was eventually elected as city councilor from 1988 to1991.
He became vice mayor of Panglao from 2001 to 2004.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he started “The Doctor Is In” on Facebook as a public health service.
He stirred controversy when he appealed to the government to allow the use of anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin against COVID-19.
As an environment advocate and board of the Panglao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he proposed to the government to set a cap on the number of tourists allowed to visit Panglao — consisting of Dauis and Panglao towns — in order to sustain this premier tourist destination in Bohol.
Dumaluan said tourist arrivals in Panglao Island should be regulated for the sake of sustainability.
Recently, when reef rangers confirmed of the presence of graffiti on corals on Pungtud Island or Virgin Island, he was also vocal to call the authorities to punish the suspects.
He also urged for an inventory of dive shops in the island.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
He pointed out that the incident happened because of the growing number of alleged illegal dive shop operators in Panglao.
