PALOMPON, Leyte- Visitors going to Kalanggaman Island contributed more than P18 million to the economy of this town.
Visitors of Kalanggaman Island, considered now as Leyte’s main island tourist destination, spent P18.5 million last year which was higher by P2 million compared to the 2016 receipt.
Last year, 101,312 tourists visited Kalanggaman Island which was higher compared to the 95,677 guests who spent P1.6 million on the same period.
Raoul Bacalla, head of Palompon municipal environment and natural resources office, said that considering that Kalanggaman Island is fast becoming one of the town’s income generators, they are making sure that the island’s natural beauty would not be destroyed.
Aside from enforcing the maximum capacity policy which allows only 500 tourists a day going to the island, regular water sampling is also conducted in collaboration with the Environmental Management Bureau to ensure the health and safety of the guests and maintain the integrity of the island.
Bacalla added that partying including loud music is also not allowed in Kalanggaman Island which being promoted as place for relaxation away from the busy life in the metropolis.
Bacalla added that only soft infrastructures were constructed in the island like comfort rooms, shower area and a pavilion intended as shelter for their personnel who are manning the island.
Kalangaman, which is just a 45-minutes boat ride from the town proper of Palompon, is a 6-hectare island surrounded by fine white sand with some areas covered pebbles and coarse, some coconut trees and a long stretch of sandbar.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
