Manilastandardtoday.com, June 19 2008
With pristine beaches, powdery white sand, and verdant forests to boast of, Caramoan, located at the lower eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Bicol, is every adventurer’s idea of paradise-bucolic, tranquil and, yes, untouched by the usual tourist trappings. And for the longest time, it was kept on the down and low, known only to locals and a smattering of visitors. But obviously, some secrets can never be kept hidden for long. Especially if they’re really good. More importantly, these recent developments have done a lot to improve the economy of the municipality, which is one of the poorest in the province, and have even managed to curtail unsavory fishing practices that have been destroying the marine resources in the area. “This is a poor town. When there’s a storm, all access is cut off. And their economy, which relies mostly on fishing, suffers a lot. The influx of tourists has stimulated economic activity in the area,” said Villafuerte.