12/07/2026
VIAJE OFFICIAL STATEMENT
For decades, Cagsawa Ruins deteriorated every year. But those expected to act stuck with the status quo. Neglected heritage preservation, no attempt to weave a better tourist experience, and no infrastructure investments.
No one cared and acted - until Viaje came. Indeed, people talk more than they act.
It is commendable that Daraga is the first LGU in Bicol to launch a multi-tenant tourism platform that provides end-to-end solutions to tourists, tourism service providers, and the LGU. Cagsawa Ruins Park now has QR tickets for admission, comparable to 1st-world tourist destinations. And this is just the beginning of a long list of developments for Cagsawa.
All these at ZERO COST to Daraga, as this is funded through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The typical LGU “technology procurements” are breeding grounds of corruption. On paper, the LGU procured software, but with NO ACTUAL TECHNOLOGY to show. If there is delivered tech, it will only work for a limited time, then they get abandoned because most LGUs do not have the resources to get it running efficiently and sustainably - a painful waste of money.
With PPPs, the private proponent has the experience, expertise, and qualified people to support the tech until the end of its contract. As the contract ends, the private partner transfers the technology to the LGU.
Critics who do not understand the vision of this initiative can only object with unfounded accusations of corruption and profiteering. And yet, Daraga LGU has not paid for anything, but it has a WORKING web app for tourists and partners to use NOW.
Viaje went through PPP Center vetting. The PPP Law was followed to the letter, even the profit sharing agreement is above existing precedents in LGU-level PPPs, in favor of Daraga LGU. This PPP Project stands on full Daraga Sanggunian support, and the Cagsawa fee increase associated with Viaje’s management and operations of the park was approved by the Daraga SB and was duly forwarded to the Province of Albay for approval.
There was never any attempt to shortcut processes.
But there is clearly an attempt to malign Viaje every step of the way.
The question is, why? Whose interests are served in discrediting Viaje? Definitely NOT the LGU, and NOT the tourists who would rather pay more than suffer inconveniences at tourist destinations.
Are we politicizing progress again? To the detriment of tourists and true advocates of local tourism?
Viaje will make Cagsawa Ruins a worthy National Cultural Treasure by transforming it into one of the best-managed NCTs in the Philippines. We can do it because we are not a public organization burdened with politics and bureaucracy. We are a private entity with a bottom line to meet and a contract to honor.
We cannot expect different results while doing the same things.
