Leyte’s MacArthur Park to undergo major facelift

PALO, Leyte, Jan. 31  -- The national shrine here named after the legendary American general Douglas MacArthur will undergo a PHP52 million major facelift.

The rehabilitation of MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park will come at a time as the nation will celebrate the 75th year of the Leyte Gulf Landing anniversary next year.

The PHP52 million for the redevelopment was sourced from the Department of Tourism under the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program for tourism, said Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla on Tuesday.

Rehabilitation works will cover landscaping, construction of view deck and visitor center, and improvement of lights and sound system.

On top of this, the local government of Palo town will also undertake some beautification projects for the historic site.

Petilla added that since the 75th Leyte Landing commemoration would be a milestone year, the national government would lead the preparation of the program and not the provincial government.

Aside from the rehabilitation of the historic landmark, the local government will also improve the adjacent property - the Government
Center - where most regional offices of the government agencies are located. The improvement will include the installation of solar-powered streetlights.

“Although our source of electricity is clean because its’ geothermal, we want to use solar power to promote and support and I hope eventually many people will use it to reduce power cost,” Petilla said.

On Oct. 20, 1944, MacArthur, as the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and General Carlos P. Romulo, landed at Red Beach of this town to reclaim the Philippines from the Japanese.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf is remembered as the largest naval battle ever fought in modern history.

It was fought in four separate engagements near the islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from October 23 to 26 in 1944. (RTA/PNA)