New elevator to serve tourists in Mount Samat Shrine

PILAR, Bataan – The replacement of the old elevator at the Shrine of Valor atop the historic Mount Samat in the upland village of Liyang, this town, would incur more than a million peso funding and expected to operate before the 74th year celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9, this year.

Mayor Alice Dizon Pizarro said the elevator used to ferry tourists up to the famous cross in Mount Samat has been temporarily closed since January 7 due to the on-going rehabilitation of the Mount Samat National Shrine. The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) said normal operation will resume when the new elevator is installed.

Pizarro explained the importance of the lifting equipment to local and foreign tourists which would carry 20 persons from the foot of the Cross to the view deck wing where the excellent panoramic view and nature’s bounty teeming the Metro Manila and Bataan landscape and Manila Bay are definitely unforgettable experiences for the visitors.

She said replacing the old elevator of a latest type with bigger load capacity will accommodate more tourists however, professional engineers are carefully evaluating the outcome, ensuring that any changes would not affect the foundation and structural integrity of the huge cross and of course, the safety of the visitors.