For a clean, tourism-friendly Southern Leyte

There is no more turning back for Southern Leyte on its bid to turn the province into “The playground of Eastern Visayas.” On July 27, the provincial government in coordination with its Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Engr. Robert Castañares will launch a massive clean-up drive dubbed as “Limpyo para Turismo” which will start in Maasin City, the province capital. Joining them will be the other local officials, village officials, line-agencies, NGOs, academe, establishment owners and the general public.

A forum and covenant signing will also take place during the event . The covenant will remind locals to continuously promote an environmentally sound and tourism friendly province of Southern Leyte and City of Maasin:

“We shall promote TOURISM CULTURE in the Province of Southern Leyte and in the City of Maasin; We shall strive to make the stay of our guests and visitors ENJOYABLE and MEMORABLE; We shall cooperate to make the Province of Southern Leyte and the City of Maasin CLEAN and ORDERLY at all times; We shall take responsibility in NURTURING our environment; We shall work as ONE COMMUNITY. FOR A CLEAN SOUTHERN LEYTE AND MAASIN CITY. ”

Interestingly with the on-going constructions of its five tourism hubs, the province is eyeing at least 200,000 tourists yearly by 2013. Engr. Castañares said tourism will help spur the economic devevelopment in the province given also the dismal condition of its abaca and coconut industry.

Unique attractions and destinations offered by the province include the Agas-Agas Adventure Park located at Agas-Agas bridge (in Sogod) with its extreme sports facilities like Zipline and cable car rides (plus All-terrain vehicles soon); and Maasin Zoo and Theme Park, which is another first in the Visayas featuring facilities for horse-back riding, camel riding, mini-horse riding, camping and other family or group activities aside from its rare animals like tigers, tarsiers, camels, crocodiles, and other exotic birds, monkeys, snakes, among others (Zoo entrance is P250 – adults, P200- senior citizens and students, and P150- kids 12 yrs. old and below).

Other man-made attractions on the pipeline include Canopy walk atop 50-foot virgin forest cover in Silago; the 100-meter high cross complete with elevator, viewing deck and coffee shops at the historic Limasawa island; and the development of Napantau Dive Resort in San Francisco town on Panaon Island with its 30 dive sites.

Aside from these unique places of interest, the province is also known for its laid back charm, friendly locals, and peaceful and orderly neighborhoods being an “insurgency-free” province in the region. Fell the pride, fellow Southern Leyteños. Support this tourism initiative for our province’s sake. (Comments at naldronaldreyes@yahoo.com)

By: Ronald O. Reyes

Short URL: http://leytesamardaily.net/?p=30780