Palace official says media can help in achieving PGMA's super region goals

Tacloban City (December 4, 2007) -- Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas, Secretary Victor Domingo declared that the media practitioners in Region 8 can do great help in the achievement of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's vision of making Central Philippines Super Region to which Region 8 belongs, as the Center of Tourism in the country.

Secretary Domingo said that the media is a strong force in promoting the abundance of beautiful tourism potentials in Region 8. He urged the media practitioners to write about these beautiful spots in the Region so that the attention of the people from other places will be caught and they will get interested in visiting the Region.

There is a need to inculcate in the people of Region 8 love for their Region and this will only be developed if they know the beauty that the Region possesses, Secretary Domingo stressed, as he addressed the officers and member of the Eastern Visayas Tri-Media Association during its induction of officers, recently.

He cited the Surf Camp at Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, which is the major tourist destination that the Region is now promoting. Calicoan Island is the best of both worlds. In the Pacific side, the water is best for surfing while in the side facing Leyte Gulf, the water is good for swimming, boating, fishing and other water sports.

The town of Guiuan is a fishing community with the most number of island barangays. The town is rich in fishery and aquatic resources and is considered by the fisheries authorities as the best fishing belt in the region.

The coastal waters offer almost all species of marine life, the biggest lapu-lapu fish, euchuema, abalone, ornamental fish, lobster and the Golden Cowry shell known for its extraordinary golden sheen, Secretary Domingo informed.

With the Guiuan Airport now being rehabilitated, very soon, commercial flights will already bring visitors to the Guiuan route.

But for the visitors to come, the media must help in the promotion of Region 8 as a tourist destination. Tourism will bring in the development of the Region and provide business opportunities and more jobs to the people of Region 8. (PIA 8)