In Maasin City
(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – The three pilgrimage sites in Maasin City is set to undergo some improvements.
This was disclosed by Mayor Nacional Mercado saying the improvements could help attract more pilgrims and tourists, and in the process, help the local economy.
The pilgrimage sites that are targeted to undergo repairs are Jalleca Hills, Monte Cueva, and Hanginan Hills.
The move will happen as Maasin is to celebrate its 23rd founding anniversary next month.
Jalleca Hills is located in Barangay Mantahan where the Lady of Assumption overlooking the city is found, situated 104 meters above sea level and can be reached by climbing the 300 steps stair from the entrance.
Monte Cueva Shrine is located in Brgy Rizal, about two kilometers from the city proper. It is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.
Meanwhile, found in Hanginan is the San Francisco Javier Pilgrims Center, a miraculous chapel 400 meters above sea level found seven km from the city proper.
“These are pilgrimage sites that we want to promote and very basic nga unsaun ta pagpromote kun dili pa ta mukadto,” Mayor Mercado said.
“So gusto ko nga musaka ta ngadto, maglimpyo, musaka ta didto arun makita pa natu ug unsa pay mabuhat sa diocese or sa local government to improve, to see the potential and to maximize the potential para ready for more influx of tourists from both foreign and local,” he added.
Like in Hanginan, the city mayor said that he wanted to relocate the residents who constructed houses along the pathway going up to the pilgrimage chapel.
“We had a dialogue with residents of Hanginan if they are open to adjustment for improvement. My proposal is if possible we can relocate them to our (National Housing Authority) housing project but they will still sell their product in Hanginan,” Mayor Mercado said.
Mercado added that once the residents are relocated, improvements that they will implement in Hanginan include the construction of a park, comfort rooms, stalls for vendors, a conducive rest area, and rehabilitation of the chapel.
Aside from infrastructure and physical improvements of the three pilgrimage sites, the city mayor added that tourists will learn from their visit the history and how the sites were created.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
