TACLOBAN CITY – The construction of the Maasin City Tourist Service Center and Rest Area continues is now underway.
This was disclosed by Mayor Nacional Mercado saying that the P110 million facility could help encourage more visitors to visit the city.
The construction of the tourist facility, located near the Maasin Terminal in Barangay Tagnipa, is funded under the 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance- Incentive Fund Project. Groundbreaking of the tourism center took place last August 2023.
Once completed, the two-storey building will have a coffee shop, Pasalubong display, air-conditioned comfort rooms that can accommodate persons with disabilities, a permanent location of the City Tourism Office, and a conference room for investors and visitors.
“We need to have a tourist center that will assist visitors and provide them information and data needed while visiting the city,” Mayor Mercado said.
Mercado added that the project will also help transform the city into a travelers haven that can become their source of pride.
“The local government aims to further develop and enhance the tourism industry in the city, providing a welcoming space for tourists and visitors,” he said.
As the capital of Southern Leyte province, Maasin City hosts most of the accommodation and other tourist service facilities. Several tourist destinations are found in the province are also located in the city. These include the pilgrimage sites and natural attractions.
Included in the pilgrimage sites found in the city is the Maasin City Cathedral built in the 1700s by Jesuit Missionaries and houses the 200-year-old statue of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion de Maasin.
The Jalleca Hills, in Brgy. Mantahan is where the 36ft image of Our Lady of Assumption is found, about 310 ft. above sea level, and the Monte Cueva, a shrine located inside a cave, 170 ft. above sea level.
Natural attractions popular among locals are the Guinsuhotan Falls and Cave, locally known as Cagnituan Falls, and Cave located in Brgy. Maria Clara.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
