Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez here on Wednesday said the city remains safe to engage in trading and tourism activities despite security concerns.

During an online talk program, Rodriguez said the recent major activities that the city government and upcoming events are proof that the city can still become a prime tourist and investment destination.

“We are thankful that the annual Higalaay Festival was successful and peaceful and the large influx of visitors to the city during the fiesta is a welcome boost to both our tourism and our economy,” she said.

Rodriguez also acknowledged Mayor Rolando Uy for his administration’s support and hosting of the city fiesta events, including a program to welcome visiting Kagay-anon expatriates or “balikbayan”.

In October, she said visitors will have another event to look up to with the launch of the Mindanao Coffee Festival, one of the main events for the Kumbira Festival, scheduled at the Limketkai Mall Atrium on Oct. 11 to 13.

The coffee festival is seen to draw participation from the city’s 230 coffee shops along with coffee growers, sellers, and producers in the neighboring provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

Rodriguez also emphasized the significance of the recently opened “Operation Kahusay ug Kalinaw (OKK)” Center, which serves as a crucial convergence point for the public to seek assistance from the police and other city hall agencies.

“The OKK houses not only the city police but other departments like social welfare, traffic, and disaster response (that is advantageous to the public),” she said. (PNA)

Photo credit: Facebook/ViceMayorBebotRodriguez