Balangiga bells attract 22,000 visitors

By Marie Tonette Marticio
BALANGIGA, Eastern Samar – At least 22,000 tourists have already visited the historic Balangiga bells since it was returned to San Lorenzo de Martir Church here.

(MARIE TONETTE MARTICIO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Records revealed during the Balangiga Historical Tour beta test initiated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office 8 and Eastern Visayas Tourism Association, that as of January 15, the parish has already recorded at least 22,000 tourists and at an average of 400 visitors daily who have come to see the bells.

DOT 8 Regional Director Karen Tiopes said they were working closely with various sectors in order to have a holistic approach in handling the influx of tourists in the historical town.

Tiopes disclosed that prior to the return of the revered bells in December last year, DOT has already extended support through training, and P10 million worth of enhancement of their town plaza under the Comprehensive Yolanda Rehabilitation Project.

“Visiting historical places is among the reasons why tourists go from one place to another. Now that the bells have returned home, the allure of Balangiga has been enhanced because they would not only hear stories about the bells, but they would see the bells itself,” she noted.

DOT 8 has offered to provide more trainings to the key stakeholders of the Balangiga Tour in partnership with the local parish, and help preserve other historical artifacts.

“We are here to find out and fill in the gaps because tourists are coming in, small businesses are mushrooming, and we also want the tourists to come not only for the bells, but to learn about Balangiga’s significance in our history,” she shared.