Christmas Tree Sends Message of Hope in Samal Island

Davao City (PNAFeatures) — A Christmas tree in Samal Island, Davao Oriental is sending residents and visitors a message of hope to help them get through the dark times.

At the rotund in Babak, Samal, in the crossways going to Samal from Davao, people young and old gathered Wednesday night around a 20-foot tall Christmas tree as it was lit up by officials from the tourism industry.

“This is a symbol of support that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is giving to the Davao region,” DOT 11 Director Roberto Alabado said during the Christmas lighting ceremony.

Alabado further noted that while for the past few months there was “a touch of darkness that enveloped the city”, there were moments to remind people that peace and justice still reign.

He was referring to the kidnapping case of three foreigners and a Filipino in Samal Island last September wherein the kidnappers are believed to be linked with the extremist Abu Sayyaf group.

“During this Christmas season, we would like to offer a message of hope — brightness in the darkness that once enveloped the island,” the DOT official said.

Alabado stressed that aside from kicking off the festive season, the lighting ceremony was also a way of promoting Samal as a peaceful and must-experience year-round destination.

“The Samal Island is the jewel of Davao Gulf because we have the best beaches, diving spots, bat-watching,” he further said.

Samal Island Mayor Aniano Antalan, for his part, described the ceremony as a “thanksgiving activity for a successful collaboration of the private and public sector” the past year.

“This year, we are delighted that we have successfully implemented programs and projects that contribute to the development of our beloved island,” Antalan said.

“(Samal Island) has never been this better amidst the challenges of time, we are able to cope with the demands in the public service,” he added.

DOT said that this activity is one of more activities that the agency has prepared for the bigger promotion of Samal Island.

After the kidnapping incident, the agency created an ad hoc group to carry out tourism plans that will come in phases set for the next six months. These plans are expected increase awareness about security efforts in the region.

Aside from reinforcing partnerships with local authorities, the agency is also planning major activities for the region to sustain the region’s stable tourism numbers.

DOT Asst. Sec. Arturo Boncato earlier said that there is a very strong community effort to protect the interest of tourism since tourism employs a lot of people in the region.

“The message here really is that all sectors that are concerned come together and agreed to strengthen security to engage the stakeholders to be part of the whole effort,” Boncato said.

Despite the incident, Alabado was optimistic that the region will still be hitting its tourism targets by yearend. (PNA) JMC/ANP