SAGAY City successfully launched Tuesday the Himoga-an River cruise, which aims to develop city tourism and provide livelihood opportunities to villagers.

With the cooperation of the Provincial Tourism Office, the Himoga-an River floating restaurant was finally launched, making the once long dream of Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon and the city officials a reality.

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The floating restaurant can now cater to cruisers who wish to voyage the 13-kilometer Himoga-an River while enjoying exotic food and music from live band performers.

The restaurant is best for holding birthdays, dates, team building activities and even weddings with an environment touch.

Sagay City Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, who spoke in behalf of Marañon, said with the launching of the project, he hopes it would boost the livelihood of the villagers, particularly in Barangays Fabrica, Old Sagay and Paraiso, where local ports of the said cruise are located.

Cueva said they would push for more projects that would boost the floating restaurant into a tourist destination in the city and the province.

The voyage would take two hours from the port in Fabrica to the port in Old Sagay, with fascinating sceneries along the way, including the little Carabao Island in the middle of the river.

Also, flocks of heron migratory birds can be seen among the branches of the fence-like mangroves just before entering the waters of Old Sagay.

Though not yet final, the city said the fare would cost P350 a person but a single trip must consist of a minimum of 20 persons and a maximum of 30. The fare includes food onboard and music from some performers.

Also, travel would be safe as the local government partnered with Sagay Marine Reserve (SMR) to ensure the passengers' safety while onboard the floating restaurant.

The Himoga-an River cruise is also equipped with life-saving equipment plus a comfort room onboard for personal needs.

Those who attended the launching were councilors Barbara Ann Tolentino, chair of the City Council tourism committee; Beethoven Fuentesfina, Samson Añalucas and Rizalde Bismar, as well as City Administrator Perfecto Marañon.

Fabrica village chief Merle Demevibas was thankful for the launching of the project, saying it would certainly help the livelihood of the localities once the tourists see and experience the voyage through the wide and historical river.

During the 1900s, the river was once a major access point to the booming Sawmill Company that processed lumber and timber from Negros Island to be delivered to other countries.

For more info and bookings, call the Sagay City tourism at 488-0649. (JOC)