TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte has allocated P40 million for the renovation of the MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the historic Leyte landings.
This event, led by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, marked the start of the Philippines’ liberation from Japanese occupation during World War II.
The renovation, which began in August, is expected to be completed before the anniversary, according to Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla.
The park, located in Barangay Baras, Palo, Leyte, hosts the annual commemoration of MacArthur’s famous return on October 20, 1944.
“We aim to finish the renovations in time for the October 20th celebrations,” said Gov. Petilla.
He acknowledged the inconvenience to visitors during the works but emphasized the improvements will enhance the park’s appeal for both local and international tourists.
“We understand that visitors may be disappointed by the ongoing works, and we apologize for any inconvenience. But we want the park to offer a more enriching experience not only for local tourists but also for visitors from outside Leyte,” Petilla said.
Among the enhancements are new restaurants and a lagoon, aimed at boosting the park’s attractiveness.
Petilla is confident the renovations will draw more visitors, noting that Leyte has become the third busiest destination for AirAsia, following Cebu and Boracay.
The 6.8-hectare park is not only a significant historical site but also one of Leyte’s top tourist attractions.
This is the first major renovation since the park’s upgrade for the 50th anniversary in 1994.
In 2013, Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan) caused extensive damage, including the toppling of Carlos Romulo’s statue, which has since been restored.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
