Tourism in Eastern Samar seen to boost due to return of Balangiga Bells — DOT

FILE: MACARTHUR CREW SOUVENIR PHOTO. The military crew of “The Spirit of MacArthur” that brought back the three Balangiga Bells pose for a souvenir picture with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (8th from left) during the arrival of Balangiga Bells at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday (December 11, 2018). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Saturday, December 15, is expecting that tourist arrivals in Eastern Samar will increase, following the return of the historic Balangiga Bells in the country after more than a century.

“We, at DOT, are so happy for the people of Eastern Samar as the homecoming of Balangiga Church bells may yet turn not only Balangiga town but the whole of Eastern Visayas (Region 8) into an emerging tourist destination,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

“In time for the Christmas season, this is one of the best gifts the region could ask for,” she added.

According to DOT Region 8 Director Karina Rosa Tiopes, the Tourism department has been assisting the local government unit (LGU) of Balangiga town in its tourism development projects.

“Foremost of these is the improvement of the Balangiga Incident Marker, funded under DOT-Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Project worth PhP9.7 million, which was downloaded to the LGU,” Tiopes said.

Other improvements, she noted, also include landscaping and beautification of the park and the small museum at the back of Balangiga Incident Marker so that it will become “more presentable” to the tourists as well as to pilgrims.

The DOT also trains several locals to become mangrove paddling guides, waiters, community tour guides, and mountain guides, among others.

It also allocated a P629,000 fund to the LGU for the procurement of livelihood gears such as kayak with paddles, personal flotation device, fisherman’s hat, rash guards, first aid kits, tents, solar lamps, beach umbrella, plastic tables, monoblock chairs, abseiling ropes, harness, carabineers and various office supplies.

“Enhancing other tourist destinations in Balangiga will make visitors stay longer, giving them the opportunity to get to know our people, experience our culture, taste our cuisine and discover the Infinite Escapes in Eastern Visayas,” The DOT Region 8 Director stressed.

The Balangiga Bells, which were seized by the American troops in 1901 during the Philippine-American war as war trophies, were finally back at its home in Eastern Samar.

On Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte led the turnover ceremony of the historic bells, where Balangiga Mayor Randy Graza received the bells’ transfer certificate given by United States (US) Deputy Chief of Mission John Law.

“The bells are returned and it was really because of the fervent prayers of the entire Filipino nation,” the Philippine leader said.

“The credit goes to the American people and to the Filipino people, period,” he added.

Duterte earlier said the Balangiga Bells were returned to the country because of the demand of Filipinos and that no government officials can claim credit for the success of its return.

[READ: Duterte: No gov’t officials should be credited for Balangiga Bells’ return]