Leyte town eyes tourism potential in remembering ‘Yolanda’ victims

PALO, Leyte, July 30 (PNA) -- This town is adding up a new tourism program remembering those who perished during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Few years back, the local government here conceptualizes 4Ps-Pamalandong (Holy Week) in every March or April, Patron (fiesta) in August, Pagbalik (Leyte Gulf Landing Commemoration) in October, and Pasko (Christmas) in December.

4Ps is a local tourism program launched by Mayor Remedios Petilla. In this initiative, all significant events in their town are being presented as a package for all tourists.

Petilla said the program will soon be dubbed as 5Ps with the inclusion of Paghinumdum or remembering those who died when super typhoon Yolanda ravaged their town on November 8, 2013.

“There is a big possibility that the Paghinumdum event will be included in the program, especially that many people will come home for the commemoration of the event, giving honor to their dead love ones,” Petilla said.

These tourism activities have drawn tourist to their town, she said.

Petilla is hopeful that with the inclusion of Paghinumdum, local tourism will be more vibrant and meaningful. (PNA)

LDV/SQM/LAAABELLA/EGR