Mount Samat Shrine, to become a world-class destination for heroism and patriotism

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Bataan Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia is optimistic of the bright business prospect that local and foreign tourism-oriented entrepreneurs have shown with enthusiasm in the proposed development plan of Mount Samat National Shrine to become the premier destination for heroism and patriotism with modernized approaches and amenities that preserve the integrity of the environment and bring out the best in people.

Garcia revealed that the preliminary stages of the tourism master plan that the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) are still undergoing revisions to conform with the tourism industry program of encouraging investors to participate in converting the site a world-class war memorial and a premier tourist spot in Central Luzon.

The governor, an ardent supporter of history and rich culture of Bataan said the set up especially on developing the inherent historical value Mt. Samat Shrine as an eco-tourism enterprise zone is another milestone in the aggressive prosperity path of the province.

Garcia reiterated that the inclusion of Mount Samat to the flagship programs of then TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid with the establishment of Mount Samat Shrine Tourism Enterprise Zone (MSSTEZ), the second after Luneta Park in Manila, intended to create a truly Filipino ingenuity with globally unique war memorial shrine to further attract local and foreign tourists in Bataan and neighboring provinces.

The preliminary tourism master plan for the Mount Samat Shrine of Valor, according to Engr. Butch Baluyot, head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), includes the rehabilitation of existing establishments and structures in the Shrine site, improved and packaged an educational and heritage tourism attraction.

He said the pro-active strategies of the technical working group are focusing on major improvements on memorial cross, colonnade, museum, stage, open spaces and landscaped areas sculptures, relics and installations in the site and zipline area.

He stressed the planned tourism attractions include: tomb of unknown soldiers, center for world War ll studies, cable car and its stations, hotels and resorts, revolving restaurant, retirement village, interfaith chapel, landscaped memorial/botanical garden, fruit orchard or organic agricultural areas, food and beverages establishments specifically café and restaurant in the shrine site.

The Technical Working Group which includes Pilar Mayor Alice Pizarro and Architect Techie Banzon, Bataan provincial tourism officer and Bataan Tourism Council Foundation, is activated to provide valuable and significant inputs in the laying of groundwork of the Mount Samat master development plan which is expected to be finalized within this year, Garcia said.

The Bataan Tourism Council Foundation Incorporated headed by Mrs. Vicky Garcia is eyeing Mount Samat to become a leisure tourism complex with audio-visual facilities portraying the heroism of Filipino-American soldiers who stood valiantly defending the Bataan peninsula as the last bastion of democracy in the South East Asia.

The Bataan governor expects the completion of the development master plan for Mount Samat as a technically positive step to attract investors to put up hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and other amenities to the most popular historical site in Central Luzon with expanding tourist arrivals.

Garcia said the tourism industry is publicized as one of the bright spots of the historic peninsula’s economy and eventually an active growth engine which spurs jobs, government revenues and productivity specifically for the small and medium entrepreneurs.

The improvement of facilities at the Mount Samat National Shrine would create more jobs to the residents, expansion of business enterprises, souvenir shops, hotels, restaurants and other services which will definitely bring new eco-tourism dimension of progressive economy.

The Mount Samat National Shrine, built sometime in 1967 remains as the top tourist attraction in the province and in Central Luzon, however the lack of first class service facilities like hotels, shops, eateries and other important outlets give foreign and local tourists no choice but to rush out after attending the annual Araw ng Kagitingan celebration.