Sorsogon on the cover of Starweek; features hidden treasures of the province

SORSOGON CITY, Dec 4 (PIA) – The Province of Sorsogon - as a place of interest was on the cover of The Philippine Starweek’s (Philippine Star’s Sunday magazine) December 1^st, 2013 paper edition. An article written by journalist Ida Anita Q. Del Mundo described Sorsogon’s tourist attractions by way of quiet elegance - “with surprises and treasures hidden around every corner.”

Provincial Consultant on Economic and Tourism Affairs, Milo C. Naval attributed to Del Mundo’s editorial which gave emphasis to Sorsogon’s rich natural resources “just waiting to be discovered.”

Naval, in his interview with Starweek – assumed that the province itself makes Sorsogon worth visiting, owing it to its distinct landscape and vegetation.

Correspondingly, Sorsogon has made its presence felt during the Kasanggayahan Celebration last October following a successful staging of the First Mass in Luzon which took place in Gibalon, Magallanes in 1569. Its reenactment down the city’s main streets was an effort to establish an icon for the yearly-celebrated festival.

Equally, the convergence of the provinces of Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon (ALMASOR) added force to the goal in making this annual event along with the province’s various potentials extensively recognized.

“Sorsogon’s Hidden Treasures” underscored the fine sand and pristine water of Gubat shores, alongside its up-and-coming reputation as a new hot surfing spot; island hopping in Matnog; the marine sanctuary and mangrove forest in Prieto Diaz; Bayugin Falls in Bulusan, the Bulusan Volcano National Park – where travelers can have the pleasure of paddling around Bulusan Lake, or hike Mount Bulusan; the hot and cold mineral springs of San Benon in Irosin; and the whale shark (Butanding) interaction in Donsol, among others.

With 70 percent of Bicol Region’s Pili supply coming from Sorsogon, Del Mundo’s article acknowledged the biggest and oldest Pili tree which can be found in Bacon District.

On the other hand, Naval took note of the Provincial Government’s enthusiasm with its on-going plans and projects on Tourism, particularly Pilar - which is one of the latest areas being developed as a tourist destination.

Last November 26 and 27, 2013 – Sorsogon hosted the Miss Earth Resort Wear Competition and Naval earlier said that such event was just one of the things that the Provincial Government is doing for the local tourism industry, and one way of promoting Sorsogon’s prospective.

These sequential accomplishments were in timbre with Governor Raul R. Lee in his call to once again re-define “Development” in Sorsogon.

For this year's Regional Development Plan, the Governor called attention to the insight from the Province of Sorsogon – that it must not merely have a specific agenda, but answers, and stand on its own, constantly with a contingency plan. Aside from sustaining it with knowledge and technicality, it must subsist within the four walls of assurance.

Provincial Administrator Robert Lee Rodrigueza meanwhile substantiated this by stating that Tourism which is the quickest scheme to boost up economy will be a driving force of his focus as Sorsogon’s overseer. (VAELabalan/PIA-5, Sorsogon)