TACLOBAN CITY – The temporary closure of Kalanggaman Island for rehabilitation ended on Friday, July 26.
The local government unit (LGU) of Palompon in Leyte province temporarily closed Kalanggaman Island for all tourism activities for five days.
“The five-day activity is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Kalanggaman Island’s pristine ecosystems. This initiative provides a crucial break from regular tourist activities, allowing the island’s natural environment to recover from the impacts of tourism,” the Palompon LGU said in an advisory released on Monday, July 22, and posted on their Facebook account.
The island holiday a yearly activity since the premier tourist destination in Leyte opened to the public, aligns with sustainable travel practices, urging visitors to be more conscious of their impact on the delicate environment.
This proactive step aims to foster a sustainable relationship between tourism and the environment, ensuring that Kalanggaman Island remains a breathtaking paradise for generations to come.
During the five-day closure, participants and volunteers from the LGU, various government agencies, and the private sector conducted clean-up drives and facility rehabilitation.
Participants were encouraged to engage in eco-friendly activities and adopt responsible stewardship of natural resources. Volunteers conducted cleaning activities around the island, reinforcing the movement’s focus on eco-tourism.
Kalanggaman Island is accessible by about 45 minutes of sea travel from Palompon town center and is one of the top tourist attractions of the region.
The island’s picturesque, postcard-perfect view, with powder-white sand and crystal-clear waters, is ideal for relaxation, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. It is one of the sites offered as a cruise tourism destination in the Eastern Visayas and is frequently visited by cruise ships making port calls in the region.
Kalanggaman has brought prestige to Palompon, receiving awards such as the Best Tourism-Oriented Local Government Pearl Award (2014-2017), Climate Change Adaptation Award by the Climate Change Commission (2016), Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan Award (2016-2017), and Galing Pook Award on Integrated Community-based Tourism (2017).
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
