published December 01, 2008 in Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY-More investments are expected to influx in Calicoan Island , Guiuan, Eastern Samar with the near completion of P38 million water system that would supply resort’s operational requirement.
Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Kwan told Leyte Samar Daily Express that the project which started early of November, will be finished on or before December 31, 2008.
“The reason why investors are reluctant in Calicoan is because there’s no water supply in the island ,” Kwan said in an interview.
With the absence of water system in the island , the three existing resort operators have to get water from the town proper and have it stocked in large water tanks.
“Would be investors came to my office and told me that they will start moving on because the water system is there already,” Kwan said.
It can be recalled that on September 1, 2007, Tim Brumlik, of the Calicoan Island Resort Development Corp. (CIRDC), announced that a $160 million 11 hectare beach resort will be constructed on Calicoan Island this year and would be finished in 2 years.
Architect Douglas Ramsey said the 8-story hotel will be shaped like a pyramid. Attty. Manuel Go, owner of the land said Korean investors would construct a 500-room luxury hotel at the south beach of Calicoan Island .
The new water system to the island came from Brgy. Gahoy, the same water source that supplies the Guiuan town proper. The deep well is said to be the source of water used by American warriors back in World War II era.
According to the mayor, the water system project was promised by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her visit to Eastern Samar in 2005. It was implemented by the Local Water Utilities Authority through the Guiuan Water District.
The tourism destination is about 19 kilometers away from the town proper. The island is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the east, and Leyte Gulf on the west. It is known for rugged landscape, virgin tropical forests, unspoiled white sand beaches, crystal clear water and surf.
The place was supposed to be the venue of President Arroyo’s meeting with cabinet officials last September 30 but it was hold off due to storm Pablo.
Kwan said that with the intensive promotion of Calicoan Island as one the country’s tourism destination, they have started to notice the increasing number of visitors to their town.
“In 2004, only three passenger vans took trip from Tacloban to Guiuan daily but now we’ve noticed over 20 trips a day,” the lady mayor said.
Kwan said that the P130 million upgrading of the Guiuan Airport will be completed early of 2009. Chartered flights can land in Guiuan’s airport, a five-minute drive from Calicoan. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)
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