Anahawan: Small town in Southern Leyte with big plans for tourism

Anahawan
The Kabigong Falls in Anahawan, Southern Leyte is one of the destinations being promoted by the Anahawan government. Visitors to the 20-meter high Kabigong Falls have to take an hour-long trek downhill and cross a neck-deep river. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

The residents of Anahawan, a small town in Southern Leyte, are looking forward to some big plans to transform the local tourism industry.

Development plans have been laid down for four tourism sites in this sleepy coastal town, endowed with eco-tourism “gems” unfamiliar to tourists and even among Southern Leyte residents.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tagged as major attraction is the highest elevation of Anahawan town, offering a perfect view of its town centre and four nearby Pacific coastal towns in Southern Leyte: Silago, Hinunangan, Saint Bernard and Hinundayan. 

 “We propose to build a viewing deck on the top of the mountain for tourists using indigenous materials, but we have to consult with eco-tourism experts because we want to do things right,” Anahawan Mayor Alfredo Luna told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday.

Opening up Anahawan

 Luna asked the central government to finance the concreting of the road going to the Kagingkingan village, as the site is also ideal for group camping and extreme-mountain trekking. 

ADVERTISEMENT

 It also offers alternative access to Lake Danao in San Juan town, a popular destination among mountaineers in Eastern Visayas.

Anahawan
The proposed site for group camping, trekking and viewing deck. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

The Kagingkingan village is about seven kilometres from the town centre. In the past, the Philippine National Oil Company established a trail to the area for its geothermal power exploration. 

 The local government also asked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to send a team of mountaineers to inspect the village and recommend specific eco-friendly structures meant for campers and nature lovers.

ADVERTISEMENT
century old tree
The century-old acacia tree in Capacuhan village. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

Century-old acacia, two waterfalls 

 A few kilometres downhill from the highest elevation is the century-old acacia tree in Capacuhan village. Earlier, the Southern Leyte provincial government officially recognised it as one of the century-old trees in the province.

 “When I was in Grade One, this was already a huge tree and we used to play around here. We hope that more people will come and visit our place,” said Anahawan Vice Mayor Nestor Vestal, who is now 61 years old. 

 Capacuhan village is also known for two waterfalls – Kamagong and Kabigong. Kamagong, a 15-metre high waterfall can be reached by a 20-minute hike.

 The more extreme is the 20-metre high Kabigong Falls since one has to take an hour trek downhill from the community and cross a neck-deep river. In some portions, a trekker has to cling to roots and plant their feet firmly on rocks to advance.

 For nature lovers, it is worth the effort and the sweat as visitors will see rare ferns, insects, and frogs along the way and breathe the cold and fresh forest air.

 Elmerito Lariba, 46, who volunteered to take trekkers to the waterfalls, hopes that more tourists will visit their village so he could shift from being a motorcycle driver to a tour guide.

 “These waterfalls have been there even before my great grandfather was born and this is my first time to hear about plans to promote it as an eco-tourism destination. I am very excited!” Lariba told PNA.

anahawan hot spring
The hot spring in Mainit village. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano) 

Hot spring in Mainit 

 Just three kilometres away from the centennial tree is the Mainit village, a community known for a hot spring of sulphuric water believed to have healing properties. The site, initially developed by a local businessman, is being poised for recreation and wellness.

DOT Eastern Visayas regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes said although there are cottages set up within the hot spring, they still consider the destination as raw since there are more facilities needed to further develop the site.

 “The hot spring has a huge potential for wellness, especially that we only have few tourism assets like this in the region. We have to tap experts to determine if the sulfur quantity is really good for wellness,” Tiopes told reporters.

Anahawan
The view outside from one of the cottages of Rosmin Farm in San Vicente village. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

Farm destination

From the town centre, a visitor can just take a walk or ride a motorcycle to Rosmin Farm in San Vicente village, owned and managed by event specialist Miguel Miñana. The farmhouses and cottages are situated amidst the lush greenery of coconut trees and expansive grassland and the sea.

“This is not a resort, but a farm destination to enjoy farm life and the convenience of staying in a resort,” said Miñana, who headed ThemeWorks Events, a firm that handles many prominent corporate and social events, including Malacañang’s State Dinners.

 The accommodation facility and 65-hectare coconut farm tourism destination are considered as the only tourist-ready facility in the town.

It’s guest rooms and cottages can accommodate up to 40 guests. The rate for a room for a couple or a family of three is 3,500 pesos per night while the guest house designed for eight to 10 people can be rented at 6,500 pesos per night.

 “We’re not adding up new structures here because we want to keep the place as a family farm,” said Miñana, who has been working to secure a DOT accreditation.

Tiopes is confident that with the commitment of Anahawan local government to develop tourism, the town will progress through tourism-related livelihood opportunities.

“If the local government will be able to develop these sites, these areas can be very attractive, Let’s tackle one thing at a time given the available funds we have and possible funding sources,” Tiopes said.

The tourism department brought a team of experts from Tacloban City and Metro Manila to this town last week to come up with recommendations on how to develop the town’s raw tourism assets.

From the airport in Tacloban City, visitors have to make a two-hour land trip to get to the town. There are regular trips from the city to nearby Hinunangan and Saint Bernard towns.

The town’s name is derived from “Anahaw” or the round-leaf fountain palm, the country’s national leaf. It is one of the smallest town in the region with a total land area of only 58 square kilometres.

Follow our Facebook page for daily updates