FAITH DESTINATION. Miag-ao Church is one of the identified 'faith' destinations in Iloilo Province.
ILOILO CITY -- Several tourism sites in the province of Iloilo identified as ideal for this Lenten season are prepared to welcome the visiting public.
Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert Marin said Barotac Viejo, Banate, Janiuay and Cabatuan are among the towns that will have reenactments of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ this Good Friday.
These areas will be visited by a team from their office to document the activities and the visiting public, especially tourists, he said.
Marin also said that some towns in the province have prepared their sites, showcasing the Stations of the Cross.
One of the ideal sites in the province is “The Way of the Cross” and the “Mt. Mansiga Steps” in Sitio Tabionan, Barangay Bucari, Leon, Iloilo, where the people can experience a 20- to 30-minute hike along mountainside with more than 200 steps going to the viewing deck on the 14th station at the top of the mountain.
“Our preparation is in support to the program of national tourism office which is faith tourism because the advocacy of the new administration with regards to tourism promotion is on farm festival and faith,” he said.
Marin noted that churches in the province also serve as “very good attraction and destination” this season since the province is rich in culture and heritage.
One of the well-known churches he mentioned is the Miag-ao church which is made of huge stone blocks and boasts of native facade with unique explosion of botanical motif.
Marin said that people could witness at the “Washing of Feet” on Maundy Thursday in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
He added that a visit to Miag-ao church is also a good opportunity for the locals to showcase their products.
He encouraged the public to stop by the weaving center near the church to explore the local products.
Other attractions are Dingle Church, Passi City Church, Banate Church, Ruins of Igbaras Church, 18th Century Janiuay Church and Convent Ruins, Lambunao Church, Pavia Church, Cabatuan Church, among others.
Marin added the Lenten season is also a good opportunity for island and inland resorts in the province to be explored.
He said that part of their assignment this season is to conduct interview in port of entries here to find out how many tourists are coming during the Lenten season alone.
Last year, the tourism office recorded 310, 878 arrivals in the province, higher by 23 percent compared to the 252,323 arrivals in 2016. (PNA)
