Mac Arthur Park Beach Resort would need P700 million in investment for rehab

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
November 22, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said rehabilitation and repair of existing facilities of the Mac Arthur Park Beach Resort Hotel would need at least P700 million in investment.

Gov. Petilla disclosed this is the same amount that the province is posing to any interested takers or private investors who would want to develop the place after the resort’s management has recently been turned over to the provincial government.

The governor added the turn over came as a surprise to the province since it has been a while back when the provincial government started to push for the transfer of the management from the Philippine Tourism Authority to the province.

Despite the long lull, immediately after Executive Order 756 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came out, Gov. Petilla disclosed a number of investors have already contacted him and signified their interest to develop the place.

The governor disclosed the province has pegged the invitation to at least P700 million to fully develop and refurbish the 4.9 hectare property 43-room Mac Arthur Park Resort, and operate the same under the provincial government.

“In my interviews with tourists and visitors, I have learned what they look for is not so much upscale comfort rather clean and fully equipped rooms and facilities with access to a clean beach. Mac Arthur can offer that. All we need to do is improve its existing facilities to cater to the needs and tastes of our targeted guests, visitors and tourists,” Gov. Petilla said.

Meanwhile the governor assures personnel and hotel staff of the Mac Arthur Park Beach Resort would not be affected with the turn over of management from the Philippine Tourism Authority to the provincial government effective this January.

All of its staff would be absorbed by the provincial government and would now be under the latter’s payroll.