In her speech during the commemoration of the 107th Balangiga Encounter Day here, the President said the government will prioritize tourism investments in Central Philippines as she had spelled out in her earlier State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Arroyo said Samar, which is part of Central Philippines, has the competitive edge in tourism with its natural wonders and the natural warmth of its people.

As a way to attract local and foreign tourists, the country’s tourism plan ensures that infrastructure projects like roads and airports are well provided, the President said.

Recognizing these needs, the President said there are infrastructure links programmed for Samar province like the rehabilitation of the Maharlika Road portion in Samar, and the Wright-Taft-Borongan Road from the Maharlika Road to Eastern Samar.

To bring more tourists to the province’s surfing paradise, she cited the need to improve the Borongan-Guiuan Road.

With a regular Manila-Borongan Flight by SeaAir, the President said the government is also upgrading the Guian airport. “We hope that the international and domestic tourism circles will soon refer to Borongan as ‘Boro’ the way they refer to Boracay as ‘Bora,’” the President added.

The President also underscored the need to rehabilitate the Basey- Maydolong Road to make Eastern Samar more accessible to the Tacloban International Airport; even as road improvements in the Arteche-Lapinig and Jipapad-Lapinig are under way.