Leyte town cites gains from PPP to develop tourism

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 8 (PNA) - The public-private partnership (PPP) has contributed to the success of tourism activities in Palompon town, the host of famous Kalanggaman Island.

“This makes it easy for us here in the local government because when tourist arrives, we only refer them to the council like if they wanted to inquire for fees, avail discounts, or invest opportunities,” said Vice Mayor Georgina Arevalo.

The town’s precious gem for tourism is the Kalanggaman, an island located 45 minutes motorboat ride from the town center. The island was recently revisited again by a European cruise ship.

Around 400 guests and crew of MS Europa 1, an international cruise ship of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruise Company in Europe, made a stopover in Kalanggaman Island last Dec. 29.

The one-day visit provided about PHP200,000 income to the local government unit, which paid for the entrance fees and use of kayaks, boats and paddle boards.

This is the second visit of MS Europa 1 to the island after its visit in April 2013. This was followed by MS Breman, MS Europa II in 2013.

From January to November 2015, the island was visited by more than 44,000 tourists, generating almost PHP8 million income, more than half of the PHP3.6 million income in 2014 in the same period.

In January to October 2014, only 17,693 tourists visited the island, but in the same period this year, more than 40,000 tourists visited Kalanggaman Island.

The visit of international cruise ship to the island has introduced Kalanggaman to international tourists that keeps on increasing every year, according to Arevalo.

Among the recent visitor to Kalanggaman is the family of German national Michael Stainiem, who compared the island to a postcard picture.

Michael and his wife are both professional divers. They decided to visit the country for the first time. Included in their diving trip are Kalanggaman Island, Cebu and Bohol.

The tourist is amazed of how the local government of Palompon managed to maintain the natural beauty of the island by limiting the number of guest that can enters Kalanggaman.

“This is a paradise where you can relax and enjoy beauty of nature. Not that crowded, you can really enjoy your stay and your swim,” he said.

But despite the increasing number of tourist who wanted to visit Kalanggaman, the LGU will continue imposing restriction on number of visitors allowed to visit the island.

From 200 tourists a day, Palompon now allows 500 tourists.

The local government unit created an alternative activity in the town’s eco-park and marine sanctuary while tourist wait for their turn to enter the island.

These include spelunking, bouldering, cave rappelling, easy and technical trekking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and bird watching at the bat sanctuary.

“This is to cater our visitors who would not be able to visit the island during peak season,” Arevalo added.

Palompon's tourism industry is managed by the Palompon ecotourism council, whose members composed of local businessmen and local government officials. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA