Republic of the Philippines

Province of Leyte
Municipality of Palo

PROJECT PROPOSAL
Title

Launching of the Sudoy- Sudoy Ha Palo E-Trike Tour

Date of Implementation

October 17, 2016

Venue

Municipality of Palo

Source of Fund
Persons Involved

Local Tour Guides; Foreign and Local Tourists

Implementer

Local Government Unit of Palo through the Palo Tourism

and Investment Promotion Office

Rationale
Palo is said to be one of the most historic towns in the Province of Leyte. It is the site of
the first landing of the Allied Forces led by General Douglas MacArthur in Philippine soil to
liberate the country from the Japanese invaders. Its mountains and plains stand witness to the
fierce battles of World War II. Guinhangdan Hill (Hill 522), located near the towns center,
served as a strategic point for the Japanese Forces that they made a banker on the hill to keep
an eye enemy movement, providing an effective defense from the latter. The Palo Metropolitan
Cathedral (Cathedral Church of Our Lords Transfiguration) was used as hospital for wounded
Filipino and American Forces. Right across the Cathedral is the Palo Municipal Hall which was
the former Seat of the Provincial Government of Leyte. Purisima Bridge locally known as the
Bangon Bridge was the first steel bridge built in the province.
On the spiritual side, the town is the center of Catholicism in the Province of Leyte. It is
the seat of the ecclesiastical province, the Archdiocese, where the Roman Catholic Archbishop
of Palo resides in Bukid Tabor. One can find the majestic Palo Metropolitan Cathedral which
stands testament to the unwavering faith of the Paloanos. It houses the antique altar retablo
dating back from the Spanish Period and antique statues of saints.
Palo is a town rich in culture and traditions. During Good Friday, the annual
reenactment of the passion of Christ or the Pamalandong is stage in the streets of Palo.
People from other places would usually come to witness the yearly event. In August, Paloanos
would celebrate their town fiesta or the Patron ha Palo through a showcase of artistry and
culture. Nightly activities starting on the first day of the novena are slated to give meaning and

merriment to the occasion. October is when Paloanos celebrate the Pagbalik ha Palo or the
Leyte Landing Anniversary, the return of General Douglas MacArthur to Philippine soil thereby
making good his promise I Shall Return. In December Palo is a town with a sight to behold.
Christmas decorations line up in the streets.
In the post Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation stage, Palo became the site of many
developments. In its efforts to rebuild the lives of the Paloanos, Tzu Chi Foundation
constructed 255 light duty housing units to house displaced families who were residents of the
coastal barangays of Palo badly hit by the storm surge. The village houses

Objectives
The Sudoy- Sudoy ha Palo E-trike tour aims to:
1. Promote the rich culture and history of Palo including its development and progress
through the use of the E-trike, a green technology powered vehicle.
2. Develop the culture of tourism in the Municipality.
Methodology
The project entails the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Gathering of Data for the tour destinations

Tour Guiding Workshop
Launching of the Sudoy- Sudoy Ha Palo E-trike Tour
Implementation of the tour

THE CONCEPT
Knowing and Rediscovering Palo through the E- trike Tour
The E- trike tour will help one know and rediscover the historical, cultural and religious facets
of the town of Palo through the use of the E-trike, a zero emission vehicle powered only by
electricity. The tour will feature historical and religious sites and structures in Palo and at the
same time promote the religious and cultural practices of the Paloanos at very affordable rates.
Riding in an E-trike is one of a kind experience. The E-trike can accommodate six persons plus
the driver. It can travel to a distance of 60 kms on fully charged batteries. A charging time of six
to eight hours is all that is needed to power up the vehicle. Being electrically powered it does

not emit hazardous smoke and its engine produces less sound compared to vehicles which are
powered by gas. One will not only enjoy the leisure and experience of going from one
destination to another in the enchanting and beautiful town of Palo but at the same time help
lessen carbon footprint in the place- it is having fun and helping the environment at the
same time. The tour can be an opportunity for a bonding of family members, friends,
classmates; a date of lovers or a journey of knowing and understanding the culture, religion
and history of the place or maybe a simple sight- seeing activity. The E-trike will be decorated
with artworks of local artists to create a festive and fun atmosphere in the course of the tour
and at the same time highlight the talents and artistry of local artists.
Local tour guides will be trained and organized to assist the tourists as they travel to their tour
destinations. They will be composed of out of school youth of Palo. They will undergo trainings
in marketing, tourism and will be briefed about the history and significance of the tour
destinations so that they can be conversant and fluent in giving information to and answering
questions from the tourists.
Though not part of the tour package, tourists can go to food establishments located within the
town. They will have the privilege to be brought to their food haven of choice during lunch or
snack breaks. Fast food joints such as Jolibee, JC Foodspot, Andoks, Tzu Chi Canteen and
Mister Donut are a good place to enjoy sumptuous meals and snacks after a tiresome yet
enjoyable and fun tour. If one is looking for pastries and sweets, Panys Bakeshop will satisfy
your sweet tooth and your hungry tummy. If you want to relax and enjoy a sip of hot coffee, one
may go to Caf Francesco and MC Caf just, both located near the Palo Metropolitan
Cathedral.

THE DESTINATIONS
Palo Municipal Building. Constructed in 1768, the Palo Municipal Building was the
seat of the Provincial Government when Palo once became the Capital of Leyte. The present
look of the building came about thru the efforts of Hon. Remedios Matin L. Petilla who made
possible the renovation of the old building into what it is now today. Its present architecture is
inspired by the look of old houses in Palo with a modern touch- the adding glass windows all
over the structure. Wood carvings decorate its interior and the same is patterned after the
decorations which may be seen in old houses in the town.
Palo Metropolitan Cathedral. The Palo Metropolitan Cathedral was constructed on
1596 under the direction of the Jesuits who founded Palo and also used for some time as their

residence. It passed from the hands of the Jesuits, to the Agustinians and later on to the
Franciscans. The construction was spearheaded by Jesuits, Fathers Juan del Campo and
Alonso de Humanes. The catherdral was repaired by Fr. Augustin built the two towers on 1850.
Fr. Pantaleon dela Fuente added new features from the money he won from a lottery in Spain,
he then installed a clock on the faade on 1896. This was also proclaimed a cathedral on the
25th of March, 1938 with Msgr. Manuel Mascarias as the first bishop of the then Diocese of
Palo.
The Cathedral was also converted into an evacuation hospital by the American Liberation
Forces and refuge of civilians during World War IIon October, 1944 to March, 1945. The gold
plated altar is a sample of a modern gothic church architechture with the gold plated 17th
century altar as the main attraction. The Stations of the Cross were then carved by local
artists. Inside the patio of this church is an open esplande which used to be the people's who
rendezvous when escaping from marauding moros centuries ago. In the aperture on the
Spanish walls is an insignia of the Jesuit Order, indicating that the Cathedral and the walls
were built by the Jesuits.
Palo Mass Grave Memorial. The memorial is dedicated to those who perished during
the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013. Commemoration activities are
held on the memorial every November 8. Relatives of those who are buried there come to
light candles and offer prayers and lay flowers on the names of their departed loved ones.
Mac Arthur Memorial Landing National Park. Also known as the Leyte Landing
Memorial Park and MacArthur Park, is a protected area of the Philippines that commemorates
the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to
recapture and liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation on 20 October 1944. This
event led to the largest naval battle of World War II and Japan's eventual defeat and surrender
after almost three years. The war memorial is located in the municipality of Palo on Leyte
island in Eastern Visayas and is one of the region's major tourist attractions. The MacArthur
Landing site sits on a 6.78 hectares (16.8 acres) coastal plain in the barangay of Candahug,
some 5 kilometers south of Leyte's provincial capital Tacloban. It was declared a national park
on 12 July 1977 through Letter of Instructions No. 572 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos.
The park's focal point are the seven double-life-sized bronze statues on a shallow
manmade pool depicting MacArthur and his entourage during the historic A-Day Landing. They
were President-in-exile Sergio Osmea, Lieutenant General Richard Sutherland, Brigadier
General Carlos P. Romulo, Major General Courtney Whitney, Sergeant Francisco Salveron and
CBS Radio correspondent William J. Dunn. Designed by sculptor Anastacio Caedo and

inaugurated during the 37th anniversary of A-Day in 1981, the statues mark the spot where
MacArthur fulfilled his promise of "I shall return" at Red Beach, so-called for the blood spilled
on it during the war. In front of the statues, two historical markers in English and Filipino can be
found explaining the significance of the scene being depicted.
The park is great for family picnics, sight seeing, dates for lovers, games and other
leisure activities.

Korean Memorial Park. Araw Memorial Park is located at Brgy Candahug, Palo, Leyte.
This shows both the post Yolanda response and the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers during the
Korean War in the 1950s. This was unveiled on December 5, 2014 a few days before the
South Korea Military Joint Support Group left.
Guinhangdan Hill (Hill 522). Commonly called Guinhangdan Hill, from the root word:
hangad which means to look upward (522 ft. up), was the entrance to the first liberated town
of Palo in 1944 after having been heavily bombarded to destroy the garrisons built by the
Japanese artillery units; foxholes built by the Japanese still exist. A Japanese memorial marker
on its hillside was built by Mie Prefecture. It is located near the Bangon River, where the La
Purisima Shrine is built. The shrine was constructed in 1887 by the Spaniards to dispel evil
spirits which people believed to be the cause of many accidents and deaths on the premises.
Hill 522 provides a scenic view of the Leyte Gulf.
In recent decades, a large Christian cross made up of cement was erected on top of the
lower crest of the hill overlooking the town proper of Palo. This cross became a shrine for
Catholic religious pilgrims during Holy Week, particularly on Good Friday. Usually people camp
out near this cross the night before Good Friday.
Tzu Chi Great Love Village. The village is home to 255 households who lost their
homes and some of their family members during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda on
November 8, 2013. It is located in a 3.3 hectare tract in the barangay of San Jose, Palo just a
few kilometers away from the town proper. Thanks to the generous help and support of Tzu
Chi Foundation they were able to provide shelter for those families which were displaced by
the disaster. The 285 square foot unit which the residents built with their own hands has three
bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. According to the residents, the light-duty
units which they are now occupying were a lot better than the house they had lost to Typhoon
Yolanda.

Gonzaga Haus. The official residence of the Archbishop of Palo. During the visit of
Pope Francis to Palo, he had lunch their together with the poor.
Solar Power Plant at Brgy. Castilla Palo, Leyte. The second

ITENERARY
WHOLE DAY TOUR
TIME
MORNING
8:00- 8:30 AM
8:35- 10:05 AM
10:20- 10:50 AM
10:50- 11:05 AM
11:10- 11:40 AM
12:00- 1:00 PM
AFTERNOON
1:45- 2:20 PM
3:05- 3:35 PM
4:05- 4:35 PM
5:00 PM

DESTINATION
Palo Municipal Building
Palo Cathedral
Palo Memorial Mass Grave
MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park
BREAK/ SNACK
Korean Park
LUNCH BREAK
Tzu Chi Village
Guinhangdan Hill
Gonzaga Haus
Pope Francis Center for the Poor
END OF TOUR

HALF DAY TOUR

TIME
MORNING
8:00- 8:30 AM
8:35- 10:05 AM
10:20- 10:50 AM
10:50- 11:05 AM
11:10- 11:40 AM
12:00

DESTINATION
Palo Municipal Building
Palo Cathedral
Palo Memorial Mass Grave
MacArthur Landing National Memorial Park
BREAK/ SNACK
Korean Park
Palo Municipal Building
END OF TOUR

PACKAGE RATES
PALO E- TRIKE MINI TOUR
TOUR PACKAGE
RATE PER GUEST
1
2
Whole Day tour
1000
750

3-6
500

Half day tour

500

375

250

*Package rates does not include meals

BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS
Launching of the Sudoy- Sudoy Ha Palo E-trike Tour

E-trike Make over and Accessories

Labor and Stickers/ Decal Installation for the E-trike

49, 500.00

Side Mirrors @ 160 x 8 pcs = 1,280

1, 280.00

Knob @ 280 x 2 pcs = 560

560.00

Honorarium for designer of decals and stickers

3,000.00

Ribbon Cutting and Blessing of the E-trike

Ready- made Ribbon for ribbon cutting @ P300
P-Mantel (assorted colors)
@ 18 per meter x 11.75 meters = 211.5
Ribbon (Green) @ P8.50 per meter x 10.75 meters = P91
Ribbon (Red) @ P4.00 x 2 meters = P8.00
Straw for banderitas @ P80 per roll x 1 roll = P80
White Long Candles @ P43 x 12 pcs = P516

250.00

Total

211.5
91.00
8.00
80.00
516.00
_________
55,496.5

Prepared by:

GILES EDGAR B. DAYA

Tourism Officer
Approved by:

REMEDIOS L. PETILLA
Municipal Mayor