Southern Leyte Tourism Office

05/07/2025

🎉 𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐘 𝐍𝐀 𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐒𝐎𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐙𝐀𝐀𝐑 by Estiffi Events Management Services!🎉
✨ Good Food. Good Fun. Good Finds. ✨
💖 Tambay with friends, date with bae, or bonding with the fam- diri na ang inyong all-in-one tambayan sa Sogod!
🍴 WIDE VARIETY OF FOOD – Sizzling plates, street eats, Filipino food, BBQ, Balbacua, Tinola, Silog, Pastil, drinks, Beeeeeersss & more! Gigutom and giuhaw ka? 😀
We also have:
• Free Open Mic Sessions: 6PM–10PM (Daily)
• Free Live Acoustic Music: Every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun; 6PM–10PM
• Free Play Area for Kids & Kids-at-Heart
📸 Photo Area
💻 WiFi Access
🚻 Comfort Rooms
🛍️ Bazaar Finds (Shoes, Clothes, Bags, Tumblers, Accessories and more!)
📣 TAG YOUR TROPA! Bring your fam, barkada, workmates —
SOGOD BAZAAR is the PLACE TO BE every day of the week!

02/07/2025

08/06/2025

| Celebrate with us! This June 9, we officially begin the month-long festivities for the 65th Founding Anniversary of Southern Leyte. Southern Leyteños, let’s show our unity and pride—join the kickoff and be part of every moment of this historic celebration!

Provincial Government of Southern Leyte

29/05/2025

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐁𝐮𝐧-𝐎𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐠𝐲. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞

In one of our rapid assessments in Barangay Maningning, Malitbog, we were invited by the barangay officials to do river trekking along the Bun-Ot River instead of using the usual trails. We were pleasantly surprised by the raw beauty that unfolded before us. The river, winding through lush greenery and dramatic rock formations, revealed a landscape that felt untouched and serene. Crystal-clear waters flowed gently over smooth stones, creating natural pools and small cascades that added to the tranquil ambiance. Towering trees lined the riverbanks, their canopies filtering the sunlight into soft, spotted patterns on the surface of the water.

What struck us most was the ecological richness and quiet dignity of the river. Along the way, we encountered a variety of flora and heard the subtle calls of birds and forest creatures. There were pockets of the river that felt like natural sanctuaries—ideal for future ecotourism or conservation initiatives.

Some areas of Bun-Ot River have been developed for picnics. Locals have cleared small sections along the banks, build shaded huts where families and visitors can sit, share meals, and enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water.

Despite the minimal infrastructure, the river’s charm remains largely unspoiled—striking a delicate balance between community use and nature conservation. These picnic areas, while modest, showcase the local residents’ efforts to create a peaceful and inviting environment without compromising the integrity of the river ecosystem.

Photo Courtesy: Jojo OnThe Beat

Malitbog Tourism
Malitbog Tourism Public Information

16/05/2025

16/05/2025

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬: 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬,
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧, 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐠, 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞!

On April 11, 2025, it was again another adventure exploration initiated by the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞. This time, the team journeyed to 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧 in the 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐠
,where the 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 is located. The initiative focused on conducting site assessment with its main purpose on discovering potential tourist spots across the province of Southern Leyte.

Placed within the verdant hills, Bendita Falls is a five-level cascading waterfall that flows gracefully through a lush, forested landscape. Although each level of the falls is not so high, streaming water ranged from gentle flows to stronger torrents—creating a tranquil yet dramatic spectacle.

The area is moderately accessible, reaching the 1st level falls (the topmost) requires a 30-minute downhill hike from the Barangay Hall through unpaved forest trails. These trails, while manageable, would benefit greatly from improvement and reinforcement, particularly in anticipation of increased visitor traffic and weather-related wear.

During the assessment, the team took a closer look at the site’s potential while gathering important data to support future plans. This kind of proactive action is essential in developing a responsible tourism while promoting community’s participation.

The enthusiasm of the local community in Barangay Caraatan was also evident during the site visit. Residents expressed a strong interest in participating in future tourism activities. This opens the door to developing 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 initiatives that can offer guiding services, local crafts, and homegrown refreshments—all of which can contribute to inclusive and sustainable local development.

In conclusion, Bendita Falls represents a promising addition to Southern Leyte’s portfolio of eco-tourism destinations. Its pristine environment, cultural context, and community engagement potential make it a worthy site for sustainable development. With coordinated planning and stakeholder support, Bendita Falls can evolve from a hidden gem into a model for responsible, community-centered tourism in the province.

A huge thanks to the residents of Barangay Caraatan, led by 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 , the 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐬, the 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐝𝐬, most especially to Barangay Councilor for their warm welcome and cooperation throughout the assessment. Your commitment to developing local tourism is truly inspiring!

FROM: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞

13/05/2025

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐓𝐒𝐀) 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬

On May 8, 2025, the 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐎) held its first meeting for the year 2025 at Roman Galdo Convention Center, Barangay Ichon, Macrohon. The primary agenda of the gathering was an 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐓𝐒𝐀)—the global standard for tourism statistics as endorsed by the 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 (𝐔𝐍 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦) formerly called the 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Southern Leyte was selected as the 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 for TSA implementation in Region VIII by the 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐏𝐒𝐀) 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞, recognizing the province’s status as a leading tourism destination in Eastern Visayas.
The session was graced by 𝐌𝐬. 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐁. 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨, 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐒𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈, who served as the 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫. She provided a comprehensive overview of TSA, its significance in tourism planning, and the types of data required to produce TSA reports.

In his opening remarks, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐕. 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐳, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫, emphasized the vital role of tourism statistics in policy-making and in understanding tourism’s contribution to the local economy and sustainable development.

The meeting was also attended by 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 from 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 and 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, both of which offer tourism-related programs. Their participation aimed to strengthen the academic sector’s awareness of TSA and help cascade this knowledge to future tourism professionals.

The event was made possible through the support of 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 - 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞, which facilitated the presence of the regional resource speaker.

FROM: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞 (𝐒𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐂)

07/05/2025

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 878, s. 2025, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Monday, May 12, 2025, has been declared a special (non-working) holiday throughout the country.
This declaration is made to give all Filipinos the full opportunity to participate in the National and Local Elections and to freely exercise their right to vote.
As responsible citizens, let us take this time to go out and cast our votes wisely for the future of our communities and our nation.
___________
From the Official Gazette:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/.../proclamation-no.../

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝟭𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗔 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 (𝗡𝗢𝗡-𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚) 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 878, s. 2025, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Monday, May 12, 2025, has been declared a special (non-working) holiday throughout the country.

This declaration is made to give all Filipinos the full opportunity to participate in the National and Local Elections and to freely exercise their right to vote.

As responsible citizens, let us take this time to go out and cast our votes wisely for the future of our communities and our nation.
___________
From the Official Gazette:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2025/05/06/proclamation-no-878-s-2025/

24/04/2025

𝖠 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍𝖿𝖾𝗅𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗍𝗈 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖺𝗆𝖺𝗓𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖲𝖩𝖢 𝗍𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗂𝗌𝗆 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖽𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗇𝗌! 𝖸𝗈𝗎𝗋 c𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗍𝗒, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝖾𝖽𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖻𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗂𝗇𝗏𝖺𝗅𝗎𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗉𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗆. 𝖶𝗂𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗃𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗇𝖾𝗒 𝖺𝗁𝖾𝖺𝖽!

See you around guys! 🫶🏻✨