By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, April 7 (PNA) — With an ambitious target to lure two-million tourists by the end of the year, the local government of Palawan is putting its faith heritage tourism to boost the number of its arrivals.
Although Palawan is better known for its pristine beaches and Underground River, the province has also played a significant role towards the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II.
“There is a lot in our province history that tourists can appreciate,” Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez said, stressing the local government’s interest to highlight history to tourists planning to visit the province.
“We will be reclaiming lost pieces of history,” he added, noting that the move to turn Palawan into a heritage tourism destination will be kicked off on the 70th year anniversary of the liberation of the province on April 21.
During the event, Alvarez said that Palawan would be hosting ranking government officials and military officers from the Philippines and United States along with surviving war veterans and families from the two countries.
“It will be a huge event for the province. This is the first time Palawan will be recognized for its contributions during World War II,” he added.
Recently, the local government, together with the Department of Tourism (DOT), City of Puerto Princesa, Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Palawan Tourism Council, USAID, and Rajah Travel Corp. have already formed a coalition to oversee the development of Palawan as a major heritage destination.
Alvarez said that the coalition would also ensure efforts toward refurbishing and restoring places in the province that have historical significance.
Among the World War II tourism destinations the local government is pushing include the World War II Memorial Museum, Plaza Cuartel, Mendoza Park, and Iwahig Prison.
The World War II museum is one of a very limited number of museums in the country that houses ammunitions, uniforms, vehicles, and a list of Filipino and American soldiers who fought in Palawan during the war.
Plaza Cuartel is the old Japanese garrison in the province where 139 American prisoners of war were burned alive by Japanese soldiers during the height of the liberation.
Besides Plaza Cuartel is Mendoza Park which was named after local hero Dr. Higinio Mendoza who opposed Japanese occupation of their province.
Just like Plaza Cuartel, the 26,000 hectare Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm was used by the Japanese as a garrison here in the country. It is now one of the largest open prisons in the world.
Aside from highlighting heritage tourism, Alvarez said that the local government has also pushed tourism in their province with various projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Alvarez said that so far, the government constructed more than 5,500 kilometers of road, 10 new hospitals, 10 key port facilities, and three new airports. (PNA)