TACLOBAN CITY – Personnel from the provincial tourism office of Northern Samar and tour operators recently conducted a site inspection in Biri town where an international cruise ship is set to visit in November.

Coral Adventurer, an Australian cruise ship that carries around 120 foreign guests, is set to dock Biri, an island town known for its centuries-old rock formations.

The town, which faces San Bernardino Strait and Pacific Ocean, has seven rock formations, namely; Magasang, Bel-at, Magsapad, Caranas, Macadlaw, Puhunan and Pinanahawan, but only six of these are easily accessible.

The visit of the Coral Adventurer will run from November 1 until 9, so far the longest stay of an expedition cruise ship that visited the region since 2013.

Biri is one of the additional sites for international cruises in Eastern Visayas, and the second town in Northern Samar that is included in the port call of expedition cruises.

The first town that was visited by the cruise ship was Capul Island in 2018.

During the site inspection in Biri, the team assessed the docking facilities available and the various sites to be visited by the cruise visitors.

“By evaluating the logistical requirements and considering other essential factors, they were able to finalize the activities and tour itinerary, ensuring a well-planned and enjoyable experience for the visitors,” Maria Josette Doctor, Northern Samar provincial tourism officer said.

“By assessing the docking facilities and selecting the sites to be visited, the team ensured that the necessary arrangements are in place to accommodate the cruise ship and provide a seamless and memorable shore excursion,” she added.

Doctor added that the upcoming cruise call in Biri Island not only marks a milestone for the destination but also presents an opportunity to showcase the natural beauty and attractions of the island to international tourists.

“It is an exciting development for the local tourism industry, as it highlights Biri’s potential as a sought-after cruise destination in Northern Samar,” she said, adding their appreciation to Governor Edwin Ongchuan and the provincial government for giving their full support to the cruise ship visit.

Coral Adventurer, the last expedition cruise ship to visit Eastern Visayas this year, will be staying in the region for nine days. After Biri, the foreign visitors will also be visiting Capul Island, also in Northern Samar; Tacloban City, Babatngon town in Leyte and Maripipi and Sambawan Island, Biliran; Kalanggaman Island Cuatro Islas, both in Leyte; then Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar– Lapinignons in Barangay Lapinig Del Norte can now celebrate significant events through the effort of the Department of Public Works and Highways–Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO), headed by OIC-District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos and OIC-Assistant District Engineer Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong, completion of the project, Construction of a Multi-Purpose Building (Sports Coliseum) in Barangay Lapinig Del Norte, Lapinig, Northern Samar.

The aforementioned project was funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2022 with a contract amount of P 9,750,742.79 intended for the complete construction of the Sports Coliseum’s Stage including the removal of the existing stage, reinforced concrete works, and finishing works (Masonry, Fabricated material installations, Painting, Metal Structure Framing, and Roofing) which was undertaken by JUPA Construction.

In order to guarantee the construction method and adherence to the quality standards of the Department, the NSSDEO top management assigned technical personnel to supervise and monitor the project. Thus, Project Engineer Bryan M. Fortes, for the supervision to assure accuracy, proper resources, and quality of project from start to finish, assisted by Resident Engineer Ryan S. Vestra. Whereas, Materials Engineer Justino E. Serafin, Jr. laid his expertise to identify and recommend appropriate materials intended for the project.

This sports coliseum stage is now a venue to cater various to events of Brgy. Lapinig Del Norte. Furthermore, the project will be a means to attract the community’s attention and maximize the positive effect since it also has electrical system for convenient access to sound and lighting.
(ZYRA JOY J. CHING, PIO STAFF)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the region has downloaded a fund to the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the implementation or establishment of a science tourism initiative in Leyte.

The fund, worth P175,000 was turned over by the DOST-8 Regional Director Ernesto Granada and Leyte provincial director John Glenn Ocaña to DOT-8 led by chief tourism operations officer Catherina Apostol.

“The proposed project aims to establish a science tourism industry for a wider appreciation of science, technology, and innovation through tourism,” Apostol said.

She added that the DOT-8 will be spearheading the creation of a science tourism network that will showcase local science and technology-themed tourist destinations.

Among the identified science and technology-themed tourist destinations are the Eastern Visayas Science Centrum, in Palo; coffee processing facility in Tongonan, Ormoc City; Baybay sweet potato ice cream facility in Baybay City; the Eastern Visayas food innovation center; the laboratory and technology building of the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus, the Ormoc City Museum, and the Radar dome of Pagasa.

Also included are the outstanding small enterprise technology upgrading program SETUP), GIA, community empowerment thru science and technology, and iSTART projects, and industrial plants like Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp.(Pasar), Energy Development Corporation, SC Global, SPMI, and others.

Visiting this site allows tourists to experience Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) through educational tourism by means of visual and experiential learning by letting them learn it on hand.

As part of the preparation, a visit to the identified sites will be conducted by the DOT to conduct a workshop on how to develop a tourism product or package which eventually will be used to conceptualize a tour program.

Visits to the sites will start either in September or October.

“This project will generally promote science and technology, and increase the number of tourists, particularly in the province of Leyte, boost the engagement of local tourism stakeholders and enterprises, further promote science and technology as a career path of students,” DOST Director Granada said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the tourism department for collaborating with their office that will become an avenue for innovation, learning, and exploration that will not only contribute to inclusive and sustainable development but will also benefit the environment through conservation and protection, and human resources of the region.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)