TACLOBAN CITY- Billboards showing some of the region’s top tourist destinations were put in display at the Tacloban new bus terminal and in a private van terminal with the aim of attracting tourists to visit these tourism gems.
The unveiling of these promotional billboards showing the tourist destinations of the region like the Biri Rock Formations in Biri, Northern Samar, Sambawan Island in Maripipi, Biliran and Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte, was held on Friday (July 27).
The project was initiated by the An Waray party-list group in coordination with the city government of Tacloban under Mayor Cristina Romualdez and the regional Department of Tourism (DOT).
Florencio ‘Bem’ Noel, former congressman of the An Waray party-list group, said that the project aims to encourage the locals to visit these regional tourism attractions.
According to Noel, it is quite disheartening to note that several of the people in the region have not visited these God- given attractions.
“I myself is guilty of it,” the former solon admitted.
Noel said that it was for this reason why this undertaking was initiated and with the tarpaulins purposely displayed in public places like the city’s bus terminal as these are frequented by the public.
Noel said that they are hoping that through this undertaking, the local people will start to patronize these destinations and help promote them in the process.
“Our intention is to attract our local tourists,” he said.
Malou Tabao, acting city tourism officer, seconded the statement of Noel saying that the city government is throwing its full support on this project.
“This will not only benefit Tacloban City but the entire region eight,” Tabao said.
Norberto Lumbre of the DOT-8 said that their office is thankful for this initiative of the An Waray party-list as well as by the Tacloban City, as this could help them in promoting Eastern Visayas as a tourism destination.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
