Tanauan, Leyte - The Bantay Dagat Area in Barangay Sto. Nino, Tanauan, Leyte will soon be developed into a water sports tourism destination. This will be the town’s small contribution to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Super Region concept of development envisioning Central Philippines as the tourism center of the Philippines.

Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu informed that per instruction of President Arroyo when she visited Region 8 in November, the Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 8 is now facilitating the transfer of the property to the local government of Tanauan, Leyte so that it will be developed into a water sports tourism destination.

It would be recalled that the Bantay Dagat Area has been the venue of the National Skimboarding Competitions in the municipality where skimboarding in the country was born several years ago, and which gained for the municipality as the Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines.

Mayor Tiu said that the municipal officials are scheduled to meet with DPWH Director Jaime Pacanan this week in order to present to him the required papers needed for the turnover of the property to the local government of Tanauan.

Prior to this meeting, the DPWH has been in contact with the municipality regarding the President’s instructions, and for that the local government is grateful, Mayor Tiu revealed.

When the papers are completed and the property has been turned over to the local government, the blueprint for the development of the area will be finalized, Mayor Tiu added.

In the meantime, Mayor Tiu said that he has already talked to local investors who are willing to develop the area into a water sports tourism destination. He will also formally talk to the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mayor Tiu envisions an area which offers various watersports like skimboarding, jetski, banana boats, boating in a lagoon, kite boarding, skate boarding which the public can avail of by renting the equipment needed.

The place will have a daily activity and will be complete with facilities like restobars and comfort facilities, and an area for camping.

Mayor Tiu said the municipality is lucky in getting the support of President Arroyo and the support of the Provincial Government of Leyte through Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla. He intimated that he will also request for the support of the Regional Development Council through its chairperson, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, and the support of the Philippine Tourism Authority and the Department of Tourism.

The National Skimboarding Competition is now on its 4th year and has always been held in Tanauan, Mayor Tiu said. Already, Tanauan has already caught the interest of and facilitated visits by riders from the different parts of the country and other countries.

For this to get going, get better and bigger, all Tanauan need is a little push and support from the stakeholders in government and in the private sector, Mayor Tiu said. (PIA 8)