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MIST veils the mountains surrounding Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB). The air is cool and relaxing and some of nature’s most beautiful works abound. No wonder that the town was recently declared the summer capital of Negros Occidental.
Vastly unspoiled by development yet inviting with its year-round refreshing climate, DSB was carved out of the remote upland villages of San Carlos City and the towns of Calatrava and Murcia in 1983. It was founded on February 9, 1983, through Batas Pambansa Bilang 336 signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos.
The town is named after the late Vice Governor Salvador Benedicto, who played a significant role in setting up a revolutionary government for Negros Island in Igmaya-an village during World War II.
Its people have adopted the martial art of “kali,” otherwise known as “arnis” or “escrima,” as their cultural heritage. Every November, the combat skill is highlighted during the “Kali Kalihan” Festival, which showcases other cultural and traditional practices.
Hinterland town
DSB, perched on the heart of northern Negros Occidental’s hinterlands, is streaked by highland terrain and a well-maintained zigzag highway, offering an ample view of gorges, hills, ravines, rivers, and waterfalls.
Along Kilometer 34 is a the mind-boggling magnet road, an approach from Bacolod City, where gravity pulls uphill a car placed on neutral or even when its engine is turned off.
Lush fields of flowers in vibrant colors and sweet pineapples against a backdrop of mist-swept mountains create a haven for nature lovers.
Among the many unique flowers are the Mickey Motto, Miracula Magnifica, and the Jade Bind, and the sweet smelling azucena, found particularly in the property of the town’s vice mayor, Cynthia De la Cruz.
Magnificent falls
The village of Kumaliskis has the Malatan-og Falls that can be viewed from a deck along the highway.
But to get to the majestic Alindahawan Falls in the village of Bago is no trip for the fainthearted. Visitors take one and a half hours of travel through rough roads to reach the take-off point for 15 to 30 minutes of walk through slippery terrain and a rice field, and a steep climb to the top of the falls.
For those who dare try the trek to Alindahawan, exhaustion is wiped away by the breath-taking sight of the magnificent falls.
Indeed, DSB presents scenic feasts for both the sedate and the more adventurous tourists.
According to provincial Board Member Nehemias Dela Cruz, the town is an ideal location for tourism development because it can be reached from all directions—Bacolod City to the west, San Carlos to the east, Canlaon City to the south, and Sagay City to the north—through well-maintained highways.
It is 45 minutes by car from Bacolod.
Dela Cruz sponsored the ordinance declaring DSB the summer capital of the province. He and his son, Mayor Marxlen Dela Cruz, are now preparing to development plan to make it a major tourist destination.
Mayor Dela Cruz said blueprint would protect the environment and preserve its natural beauty.
“We also want to create activities for tourists that are environment friendly and leave zero carbon footprints. So, we will prefer mountain biking to off-road and motocross activities,” he said.
The development plan would include the construction of hostels and a wedding center. Colors of structures must also harmonize with nature, Mayor Dela Cruz said.
He said he would propose that some of the timberland and watershed areas be declared multi-use zones, since only 33 percent of DSB land is titled and open for development.
These areas, especially those along the roadside, could be leased, he said.
Tycoon Washington Sycip has a standing offer to build a medical university in DSB, Board Member Dela Cruz said. Sycip, who has visited the town twice, found the climate and area ideal for a university setting, he explained.
The center would be managed by Stanford University and, hopefully, would become the best in Asia, he added.
With DSB as summer capital, Dela Cruz maintained that the town would enjoy the benefits in many ways since the provincial and national governments could focus on developing the place for tourism and boost the livelihood of its people.
