Bohol nearly a year after the earthquake: Turning ruins to tourism opportunities

If one didn't know any better, the fact that Bohol was rocked by an earthquake as strong as 32 atomic bombs almost a year ago would be easy to miss.

 

Nearly a year since the province and other parts of Central Visayas was hit by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, things seem to have settled back to a normal routine. 

 

At the tail end of its month-long Sandugo Festival in July, signs of the destruction in the capital, Tagbilaran City, were overshadowed by the festive spirit of locals and tourists alike, who lined the roads to witness the show of color and moves at the street dance parade. 
 

 

Establishments are back in business and the locals ever ready to welcome visitors with a ready smile.

 

In an interview on the sidelines of the festivities, Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto admitted that the province's tourism industry, which he said contributes some 20 percent to their economy there,  suffered “a temporary setback” following the calamity. 

 

Understanding that it is “all about perception,” however, the governor talked more about what was in store as they take bolder steps to expand their tourism industry.

 

“We just want to assure that we are in the stage of pulling the strings back again,” he said. 

 

And by that, he meant turning the ruins left by the earthquake into tourism gold.

 

Churches 'most visible' reminder

 

Of particular importance, Chatto pointed out, were the province's heritage sites, including the old churches, which he said were “the biggest casualty.”

 

“We have not lost our heritage sites,” he said. “We have a strong program for rehabilitation—rebuilding and reconstruction of the churches. We are in coordination with the archdiocese, we're now in the process of identifying which churches have to be rebuilt or reconstructed and which ones we will not rebuild.

 

The heritage churches that they will leave to rubble will not be forgotten, however. Chatto said they will “put there a monument that will remind everybody” of the churches, adding that it could still be considered pilgrimage sites.

 

Among the colonial-era churches in Bohol that were heavily damaged by the quake were the San Pedro Church in Loboc and the Church of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon, which the UNESCO has removed from its tentative list of sites being considered for World Heritage status.
 

Both churches were designated National Historical Treasures by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

 

“[They're] the most visible sign of destruction, they were built at the time that did not have the technologies we have now,” he said. “It's the biggest casualty, actually, because it's visible to the eye. But we have a big dream also for the rehabilitation program. With the archdiocese, we want to make Bohol the center of preservation.”

 

'Geo-science tourism'

 

When asked about the Chocolate Hills—arguably the trademark tourist site of the province—Chatto was quick to laugh, reminding people that there are 1,268 hills “of the same shape and different heights.”

 

“We have some damage in the Chocolate Hills,” he said. “But as far as effects overall, it can hardly be said that the Chocolate Hills are damaged totally.”

 

He also pointed out “in particular” a hill in the town of Sagbayan, which the earthquake split in half. Instead of mourning the damage, he said they're planning to make it a part of a possible geo-science tourism in their area.

 

“People before were wondering what was inside the Chocolate Hills. Now geologists are studying it (the hill in Sagbayan),” he said. “People also stop there, have their pictures taken.”

“There are 1,268 hills. You minus the few ones that were affected—then again, you can add them pa as opportunities,” he added.

 

Chatto said they are also thinking of including the newfound fault at the municipality of Inabanga as an attraction should they push through with their plans for geo-science tours.

 

The fault was said to be “the generator” of the quake and discovered only after the incident. 

 

According to an exclusive GMA News Online report back in October 2013, the face of the fault “is the edge of a large area of land that had been thrust upwards as high as three meters. It stretched as far as the eyes can see, cutting off roads and numerous trails.”

 

The formation “is unique” since it is a reverse fault due to “the vertical surface rupture,” the report added.

 

Chatto said they are keen on preserving this fault line, even disclosing a plan to put up a geo-science museum.

 

Picking up from the rubble

 

Recovery has not been fully achieved, the governor admits, but with much confidence that things would be back in full swing soon enough.

 

He disclosed that Bohol has been pretty lucky since it wasn't struck as hard by other natural calamities that damaged neighboring provinces—and when the earthquake did hit them, they were more or less prepared with disaster teams in place.

 

The rubble left by the quake, he said, gives them an opportunity to gain new expertise, which “turns out to be an upside.”

 

“We're picking up in tourist arrivals. There are challenges, but we're saying this is also an opportunity for us to strengthen where we have gaps,” he said. “So when you talk about the impact on tourism, we can say [there was] a temporary set back. But I know Bohol is in for a very big surprise.” — VC, GMA News

GMA News Online was one of the media organizations invited to join the trip, which was sponsored by the USAID's Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) project as part of its technical assistance to local government units and tourism industry players.