THE Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office is developing a three-hour tour showcasing Iloilo City by night. This is expected to start in September.
Iloilo City has come a long way as a chartered city and it has lots to showcase. It was formally inaugurated on Aug. 25, 1937 highlighted by a grand civic parade. The then surrounding municipalities of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo, and Arevalo were merged with the progressive town of Iloilo on July 16, 1937, by virtue of Commonwealth Act No.158.
This yearâs 85th Charter Day celebration theme is âForging Stronger Ties in the Communityâ.
Tourism office chief Junel Ann Divinagracia says with the renovation and enhancement of the Molo Complex, they are also entertaining the idea of lighting up the heritage buildings along the cityâs Calle Real (J.M. Basa Street) with the support of MORE Electric and Power Corporation,to make the area look attractive at night.
The Molo Complex is composed of the historic St. Anne Parish Church, the Molo Mansion heritage house, and the Molo plaza.
âWe found out during night tours that guests are enjoying and they could focus on the stories of the destinations since there are less distractions like traffic and people. It is not too warm, they like the cool weather,â says Divinagracia.
She adds that they already offered the night tour to a group from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association and the Palawan Electric Cooperative in July.
Divinagracia hopes to hold one again, this time with the local media before the launching in September in celebration of the National Tourism Month.
The itinerary of the tour, which is expected to last a maximum of three hours, includes an early dinner by the beach in Villa, Arevalo district, and thereafter proceed to Molo district for a stopover at the Molo Complex, then off to the Iloilo Esplanade and the Iloilo Business Park at Megaworld in Mandurriao district.
The next stop will be the Jaro district passing by the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Mariquit heritage house, then towards La Paz district and Calle Real passing by Casa Real of the Iloilo provincial capitol and back to the Iloilo Esplanade.
âWe are optimistic that some of the tourists will opt to take the night tour since itâs cooler and more peaceful, and they get to experience Iloilo City by night,â says Divinagracia.
Interested tourists may want to hire accredited tour guides or ask for assistance from the CTDO, where they will be provided with a free itinerary.
From January to June, the city recorded 145, 872 visiting tourists as per data gathered by the CTDO from the accommodation sector. (PNA/PN)
