Phl's longest Zipline Opens at Southern Leyte: Gov. Mercado: New playground of Region 8

SOGOD, Southern Leyte, Philippines - The country's tallest, longest and fastest zipline had its soft opening in this town last week with Governor Damian Mercado and his brother Rep. Roger Mercado (lone district, S. Leyte) leading the guests who witnessed the launching of this latest tourism destination of the province.

"There's no stopping Southern Leyte province as the new playground of Eastern Visayas by 2013," said Governor Mercado describing the facility as "a public-private partnership and full of remarkable activities.

During the time of then Public Works and Highways Secretary Victor Domingo, a memorandum of agreement was signed with the provincial government to develop the area around Agas-agas Bridge, which is an engineering marvel that spans two kilometers at a height of 377 feet from the river and rain forest below it, said the governor.

The zipline, installed by the Sabros Brothers of Camp Sabros in Davao, starts from the top of the hill behind the Agas-agas Bridge and runs 20-meters higher than the bridge. Constant radio communication between the staffs at both ends assures riders they are taken cared of.

Agas-agas is located at barangay Kahupian of this town, 72 kilometers from the provincial capital of Maasin City, 100 kms. from Tacloban City, 101 kilometers from Ormoc City and 36 kilometers from Hilongos, Leyte which is the expected entry point for tourists from Cebu City. Regular transportation is available to this area from the terminals of said major points.

Tourism regional director Karen Tiopes said the 160-km-per-hour zipline adventure is something "that you don't want to stop with a perfect view going down there."

The Zip-Southern Leyte, which offers the first tandem zip ride in Eastern Visayas at P300 per pair, is just one of the components of the Agas Agas Adventure Park which targets to be fully operational on July 1 this year, in time for the province's 51st founding anniversary.

Cable cars and other extreme sports like bungee jumping, downhill skateboarding, rapelling, ATV (all terrain vehicles) will be put up in this park, said Tiopes.

Aside from the zipline, groundbreaking rites for the construction of the Provincial Pavilion in the area were also held. The 500-square meter Pavilion with a view deck will have restaurants, tourists can have refreshments.

"We will make Southern Leyte the front page of tourism in the Philippines. Two years ago, this was only a dream. Now we are beginning to see the realization of our dreams that will benefit our people," Gov. Mercado added.

Representative Mercado, who was the main author of the construction of the P1.2-billion Agas-agas Bridge, said "we thought of tourism as a priority because it will be a big money earner for the province and will give livelihood to our people. Today, Southern Leyte will be in the road map of the Philippines and the New World."

The Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by Engr. Robert Castanares who developed the Kuting Reef Resort in Macrohon town of Southern Leyte, has partnered with the province in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, and initiated the preparation of the So. Leyte Tourism Development Framework Plan.

The highlight of the Tourism Plan is the creation of four major tourism hubs in the province which includes the Maasin City Animal Theme Park; Agas-agas Adventure Park; Silago Forest Canopy Walk and the Napantau Dive Resort Area.

Aside from tourism promotion, the governor assured the public of peace and order and security of all tourists by deploying police and barangays peace volunteers in the area of the bridge.

The Police Regional Office-8 recently completed its three-day tourism seminar workshop in which 100 policemen underwent training for the creation of tourist police desks that will be established at every tourist destination around the region.

PRO-8 deputy regional director for operations Senior Supt. Edgar Basbas said the PNP and the DOT had signed a MOA for the creation of a tourism security force to ensure the safety of all tourists here.