DTI supports tourism for economic development, investments in Southern Leyte

By NINA SITOY, Tomas Oppus Normal College
January 27, 2011

MAASIN CITY  –  The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been constantly in touch with the private sector to push for the tourism industry as a vital component in the overall social-economic development of Southern Leye province.

Michael Nunez, DTI Provincial Director, in an interview at the Kapihan sa PIA held at PIA office here on Thursday, disclosed that in a recent meeting with the newly-organized Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI) it was agreed that the province should come up with a tourism framework as a major thrust and strategy to attract tourists.

The framework called for the strong involvement of the private sector, in particular SLCCI members, with the tourism programs of the 18 towns and one city around the province, including the provincial government, and concerned national line agencies, Nunez said.

During the SLCCI meeting, the consensus was that the identified natural wonders in four key spots of the province should be complemented with man-made attractions so as to entice visitors who long to “experience the thrill, the excitement” these places can offer.

Nunez said the four key areas in the province which can serve as a hub for tourists that require man-made interventions to be enhanced included Agas-agas bridge in Sogod, Danao Forest Park in Maasin City, the natural forest in Silago, and the popular Napantao Dive Site in San Francisco.

Agas-agas bridge can be complemented with zipline or cable facilities, or for bungee jumping for extreme adventurers; Danao Forest Park can be developed with a Subic-style zoo in which wild animals and children can have friendly interaction;

The natural forests of Silago, where big trees cannot be embraced by three persons in outstretched arms, can be equipped with canopy so visitors can enjoy walking high around large trees and splash in a waterfalls afterwards; while amateur divers can appreciate the beauty of underwater marine life using only snorkels at the Napantao dive site, explained Nunez.

All other places of interests at nearby towns in relation to these hubs can also be visited as a spin-off activity, Nunez added.