Tourists visiting Sagay City in Negros Occidental can now enjoy sustainably-caught seafood at the newly-opened “Pala-Pala sa Vito” near the Vito Port overlooking the picturesque Sagay Marine Reserve.

Located inside the Vito Visitor Center and managed by the Vito Community Based Eco Tourism Association (VICETA), the restaurant advocates the slow food principle that is “clean, good and fair” without artificial flavoring and soda, and aims to reduce single-use plastic during its operation.

“This project is a reminder of how the city is serious in creating jobs and opportunities while ensuring environment conservation and protection,” Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

The opening of “Pala-Pala sa Vito” on May 1, along with the establishment of the Vito Visitor Center, marked the conclusion of a decade-long project development that is part of the city’s Sustainable Tourism Masterplan.

The Vito Visitor Center is situated near the city’s most visited religious heritage, the San Vicente Ferrer Vito Church, which was founded in 1898.

In 2019, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources funded the construction of the Vito Port, as well as the DA Dormitory Building in 2022.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority assisted in the establishment of the tourism showroom and comfort rooms in 2023.

Other works included the DA Building A Extension as well as the landscaping, railing repairs, and general repair slated for completion in 2025.

Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said the most important aspect of the ecotourism project is the association itself, stressing the need for their commitment and full cooperation to make the community livelihood venture a success.

VICETA president Alex Brillantes thanked the city government for choosing them to become the beneficiary of the ecotourism project.

To assist the association in the restaurant opening, the City Information and Tourism Office engaged the STI West Negros University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the food service training for the “Pala-Pala sa Vito” staff. (PNA)