Calbayog to develop 2 tourist sites

CALBAYOG City will develop two popular tourist spots in a bid to attract more tourists.

Ronald Ricafort, the newly designated acting city tourism officer, said two popular destinations in the city are prioritized for rehabilitation and development by the City Government.

“We have identified so far two potential sites to be developed that have structures and access to sites. These are the Malajog Beach and the Bangon Falls,” Ricafort said.

He said the Malajog Beach at Barangay Malajog is popular among the locals because of its clear and cool water, adding that it is only a 40-minute ride from the city proper and has about 200 meters of grayish sand and some rock formations and greeneries on its southern side.

Although Malajog Beach is popular among the locals, the road leading to the beach has to be rehabilitated, Ricafort said, noting that they have already started concreting the access road.

According to Ricafort, they are also planning to repair and construct some cottages and would put up toilet and bath facilities as well as a parking area and food outlets in Malajog Beach.

“No more dogs, no more (bringing of) foods, no more cleaning of utensils (in the beach),” he said.

Ricafort said another big plan in Malajog Beach is the construction of an 800-meter “nature walk” to the rock formations that face the Samar Sea, three viewing decks, and three hanging bridges.

A zipline will also be installed at the end of the rock formation, going to the islet in front of Malajog Beach.

The other tourist destination to be developed by the City Government is the Bangon Falls at Barangay Bugtong, some 45 minutes or 23 kilometers away from the city proper.

Ricafort said Bangon is a four-layered majestic waterfall, and about 10 minutes up from the Bangon Falls is the Tarangban Falls, another favorite destination.

Ricafort said “it’s almost like starting from scratch. But we’re going to do have an inventory of the (tourism) sites of Calbayog... We will categorize these as primary and secondary tourism destinations, and try to discover some more that our visitors can do in Calbayog.”

The 45-year-old acting city tourism chief said they are also trying to develop Calbayog as a convention site. He said the City Tourism Office (CTO) might manage the convention center in the city proper.

He said he is happy that the city mayor, Ronald Aquino, is very supportive of these projects.

Like other places in Samar Island, Calbayog is also proud of its local delicacies like the popular “tinapa” (smoked fish), pili and langka products as well as fresh seafoods.

It also boasts of several caves, other waterfalls, hot spring and other nature sites. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)