After two years of undergoing massive rehabilitation, the province of Sorsogon formally reopened its tourism sites to local and foreign visitors with the reopening and inauguration of the Buluzan Eco-Tourism Center and Facilities in the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park.
Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero formally led the inauguration of the Bulusan eco-tourism center as he express optimism with the easing of travel restrictions aroudn the country due to the decreasing number of Covid-19 cases.
Escudero said the eco-tourism park now boasts of world class facilities to attract more tourists to come to the region.
“Pinaganda pa natin ang lugar na ito at hindi lamang ang lalawigan ng Sorsogon ang makikinabang, kundi partikular ang bayan ng Bulusan (We made the place much better so that not only will the province of Sorsogon benefit from it, but the whole community in Bulusan as well),” Escudero said at the reopening rites on Saturday.
Escudero, who is seeking a Senate comeback in the upcoming May 2022 elections, said the natural park is also home to the Bulusan Eco-Adventours, which was launched coinciding with the blessing and inauguration of the tourism center.
The park now also hosts new amenities like the al fresco coffee shop and restaurant, a massage spa and souvenir shop. Recreational activities such as eco-tour, trekking, kayaking, stand up paddling, boating and fishing are now also open to visitors.
Escudero said other attractions in Bulusan Volcano National Park, a protected area, are up for restoration and improvement, including the 18th century bell tower of St. James The Great Church which will be done in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
The former lawmaker said they also deemed it fit to immortalize the beautiful stories and history behind the landmarks and destinations in Sorsogon for better appreciation of the Sorsoganons and visitors.
“Ang turismo ay hindi lamang tungkol sa magagandang tanawin at mga lugar. Bahagi ng turismo ang kasaysayan at pinanggalingan ng lugar na sana sa sinumang bibisita rito ay malaman at makita niya ang mga karasanan at kwento ng mga pangyayari katulad dito sa Bulusan (Tourism is just not about the beautiful sites. Part of tourism is to impart knowledge about the history and beginnings of a community which we hope to share and tell to people like what we have here in Bulusan),” Escudero pointed out.
He also lauded the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), the Bulusan local government unit and government agencies involved in the beautification of the Bulusan park, which they carried out at the height of the pandemic in 2020.