By Vicky C. Arnaiz
TACLOBAN CITY, April 10 (PNA) – Reviving to full swing the tourism industry of Eastern Visayas region after supertyphoon Yolanda’s destruction, the Department of Tourism (DOT)launched “Summer Fun” to bring in more tourists to the region.
According to DOT regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes, each province will have each own launching of the tourist-ready destinations.
Southern Leyte was the first to launch its destinations on March 30 with a theme “Lakaw (walk), Tan-aw (see), Tilaw (taste)” at the Molopolo-Sta. Cruz Bird and Fish Sanctuary in Macrohon town.
Joining the launch is Macrohon Mayor Fe Edillo, Vice-mayor Wilfredo L. Madrona, Tiopes, tourism development officer for Southern Leyte Rina Mendoza Apostol, tourism consultant Toto Cinco, Macrohon officials, Maasin City tourism staff, Macrohon Councilor Rofelia Edillo, chair for municipal tourism development, officials from the department of environment and national resources (DENR), tour operators and members of the tri-media.
Edillo said that this is a dream come true for the people of Macrohon to be included as one of the major destinations in the province as well as holding the launching in the municipality.
The launching was complete with a band welcoming the guests with singing native songs like “Si Felimon,” “Tong-tong-tong pakitong kitong” and other Visayan songs.
The Molopolo-Sta. Cruz Fish and Bird Sanctuary is home to virgin coral reefs, hosted other variety of marine life such as twin giant clams, rays, sharks, 40 species of fish, Philippine Duck and different species of migratory birds.
It won 3rd place in 2012 Para Del Sol (For the Sea) awards in Manila, out of 300 fish sanctuaries across the country.
The award-winning sanctuary became more popular because of its fish feeding activity with specially baked bread in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) and its two-hectare mangrove plantation.
Other activities during the launching was the cooking demonstration of the famous “tres marias” suman (rice roll, mixed with 3 different kinds of sticky rice), fish feeding and mangrove planting.
The group went to Maasin Zoo, Monte Cueva, Cacao Mountain Resort and joined the procession of Duaw Sto. Niño to the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral capped the evening.
On the second day of the familiarization tour, the group went to Padre Burgos as jump-off point going to Pintuyan for the exciting whale shark interaction.
The two-hour boat ride in going to Pintuyan didn’t disappoint, as two whale sharks showed up.
After Southern Leyte launch, the Northern Samar province held its summer fun launch on April 7 to 9 in San Vicente town. It was held in Pink Beach tucked in Sila island away from tourist commercialism.
It was followed by a tour of the famous unspoiled white beaches of San Antonio, then to Biri island town, home of the awesome rock formations, one of the 5th emerging gems in the country and the grand canyon of the Philippines.
Then the tour capped in a mangrove plantation in Lavezares town.
The other launch will be in Leyte province on April 11-13, Biliran on April 17-18, Samar April 19-21, Leyte April 20-22 and Eastern Samar on April 24-25.
Tiopes said that the local government chief executives are very supportive of the launch. She said the DOT will give its full technical support.
The tourism which was the first to zip during the launching of the 880-feet long zipline in Sogod, Southern Leyte in 2011 also led in interaction with the whalesharks in Pintuyan in the launching of Southern Leyte Summer Fun.
“This summer, we are marketing those sites, which has something to offer. These are tourism products that are ready in terms of booking, fun and adventure activities, and accommodation. Just because Yolanda has badly hit us, it doesn’t mean we should not bounce back and tourism is the answer,” she told reporters. (PNA)