By Alec Go
Preparations are ongoing for The Great Kalayaan Expedition 2023 set in March 20 this year, a tourism project by the local government of Kalayaan to make the town a “center of adventure for tourism in Palawan by 2040.”
The actual voyage next month will run for three months a year with a 40-person accommodation each month.
The Palawan Tourism and Promotions said a “familiarization trip” has been set on February 18 to include a 40-person team of vloggers, journalists, photography enthusiasts, Kalayaan officials, members of the technical working group, and invited guests.
The trip will cover Lawak, Patag, Likas, and Pag-asa Islands for seven days and six nights, with activities such as bird watching, game fishing, and sports fishing.
Citing Kalayaan tourism officer Khenjap Hupanda, the tourism office said coordination is ongoing with the Area Task Force (ATF)-West composed of Western Command, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Provincial Government of Palawan to ensure security of the program in the West Philippine Sea.
“We are in constant coordination po. In fact, ang ATF-West, and ang [Philippine] Coast Guard is an active part po ng technical working group for the development for this tourism product,” Hupanda said.
He said clearances from the Armed Forces of the Philippines have already been secured.
The program also has the backing of the provincial government with a pledge to offer assistance to improve it.
“This effort of the municipality of Kalayaan is one way or best way to really express our sovereignty over our territory. No one can question it because we are using it for a tourism package,” Board Member Winston Arzaga said. – gb
