Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY—The island-province of Biliran is gearing up for a projected boom in tourism over the next few years after the Senate approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to declare Biliran as a Tourism Development Area (TDA).
“We are optimistic many tourists will visit Biliran especially now that it has been officially declared as area for tourism development,” Biliran provincial tourism officer Sofronio Dacillo, Jr. said.
The Senate approved on Monday Senate Bill No. 3252 authored by Senate tourism committee chair, Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid declaring six tourism development areas in Biliran.
Lower House versions of the bill— House Bill Nos. 3066, 3068, 3069, 3070 and 3071 filed by Biliran lone district Rep. Rogelio Espina have also been approved.
Zones to be included as tourism development areas are Higatangan Island in the capital town of Naval; Sambawan Island in Maripipi town; mangrove area of Barangay Looc and Casabangan Falls in Barangay Balaquid, all of Cabucgayan town; Tinago Falls in Barangay Cabibihan, Caibiran town; and Bagongbong Falls in Barangay Caucab, Almeria town.
“These areas have been long recognized as protected areas being natural parks, marine reserves, protected landscapes, protected seascape, watershed reservation and watershed forest reservation,” Dacillo said.
“The provincial government is currently drumming up its tourism promotions and marketing to entice tourists to visit our destinations. With the declaration of the areas as tourism development areas, the province, in coordination with the DoT (Department of Tourism) and TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority),” Dacillo added.
“We can soon implement a sustainable tourism destination infrastructure program with the help of the private sector and develop diversified tourism products that engage local communities,” Dacillo said.
He said the government will initiate projects for the provision of water and water treatment, power, and solid waste management.
Part of the destination infrastructure for Biliran is the design and construction of tourism information centers, transport terminals and services, and tourism sites access and visitor improvements. (REYAN L. ARINTO)
it is awesome that Biliran is now officially identified as one of the tourism development…i think Mr. Dacillo should be exposed to established tourism destinations so he will be able to find out more of what the tourists really wanting to come for a holiday…while the infrastructure is of mighty imporatnce—what activities the tourists can do while on holiday is of next thing to look at…sceneries are no longer an enticement as there are many of these kind anywhere you go…as a good friend of June Dacillo i will invite you to come to NZ and i will let you get the opportunity to meet our good family friend of the WESTCOAST NZ BOARD so you will have a brilliant ideas of coming up of a good comprehensive attainable tourism programmes…..good luck
This is indeed good news. This will increase economic activities in Biliran and hopefully more jobs will be opened . But we have to be really objective in determining the factors that will make tourism successful in Biliran. Let us look closely at our public conveyances and our attitudes to tourists or visitors alike.
May i suggest DOT to look at the creation of a BOULEVARD … from Naval to Atipolo or Agpangi ? something like Dumaguete and Dipolog …
One of the tourist attraction of Bali, Indonesia is to see the sun about to set ( you have to travel 2 hrs from Kuta ) …imagine the beautiful color of orange on a beautiful sky with Balinese structure as background – it is really beautiful … and over a glass of cold beer or wine …
Good Luck
By the way the name of the place – is Tanahlot – 2 hours from Kuta, Bali.
Pls be ifnormed that it is no longer Jun Daillo who is head of the Tourism office, the newly created Provincial Information and Tourism Office is now headed by Mr. Dionisio Oliva who is also Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Steering Committee. Mr. Jun Dacillo is still Environment and Risk Reduction Office head. Separate now from the Department of Tourism. THe thrust being garden or Agri/Eco Tourism.
ok this is really a good news to every biliranon… hope there will be more local and foreign tourist to come… im hoping also that someday biliran become one of the top tourist destination in the country. if tourism boom, it can generate employment…
Great info especially since the roads are almost all cemented. Just need to get good cell service all around the province especially at our area around Acaban/Bool.