TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 8 (PNA) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Leyte commended the town of Palompon after it was named as Best Tourism-oriented local government unit (LGU) by the Pearl Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The recognition was afforded during the recent national convention of ATOP held in Bacolod City.
Board Member Mesias Arevalo, who pushed for the commendation said that the award is an indication that the tourism program is effective even as he expressed hope that the industry in Palompon will already go back to its normal state after experiencing devastation from Yolanda.
Palompon eco-tourism officer Raoul Bacalla said that the competition was a stiff one.
Forty LGUs from all over the country were eliminated during the initial screening – leaving Palompon, Mystical Kabayan, Benguet where Mt. Pulag and Centuries old Mummies are located and Mainit, Surigao Del Sur, home of the famous Lake Mainit and Mapaso Hot Spring – vying for the award.
Palompon got the award due to the effort of the LGU to push the tourism industry. The efforts paid off because the town became known not just in the province but even abroad.
Palompon, located in the northwestern part of the province, has Kalanggaman Island as its premier destination aside from Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary also a venue for eco-tourism and educational tour.
It is part of the Northwest Leyte Tourism Cluster covering cities of Ormoc and Baybayand municipalities of Isabel, and Inopacan.
The tourism program in Palompon is being run by the Palompon Municipal Eco-tourism Council, a foundation, which is supported by the LGU.
Last year, international cruise ships of Hapag Lloyd Cruise Lines, the MS Europa, Bremen and MS Europa 2 started visiting the town’s jewel Kalanggaman Island, bringing hundreds of European tourists.
This also resulted in an increase of tourism sales of the town. (PNA)