The reopening of the famous Sambawan Island to tourists will revitalize this town’s local economy disrupted by the current health crisis, the local government here said.

Mayor Joseph Caingcoy said their desire to help local businesses compelled them to reopen the uninhabited island to visitors from the Eastern Visayas region starting April 24.

“Maripipi is a 5th class municipality and the poorest among the eight towns in Biliran province. Revitalizing the local economic enterprise will help us create more revenue-generating businesses and jobs,” Caingcoy said in an interview Sunday.

The local government unit is now managing Sambawan Island after it terminated the contract with a private developer, citing management issues.

The town only received 12 percent of the income generated by the developer from tourism activities.

“We are planning to invest in more development by building cottages, benches, and canteen(s). We have a budget, but it is not enough for now,” he added.

Providing a 24-hour power supply on the island and constructing a water reservoir are among the immediate plans for more convenience for tourists.

Currently, the local government only allows day tours on the island since there is now power and water supply on the island.

“We’re hoping that the provincial government and the Department of Tourism can help us to have access to funds for this project,” Caingcoy said.

Earlier, the local government created the Sambawan Management Tourism Committee tasked to oversee and monitor the island’s operation.

The local government only allows 175 daily visitors, giving priority to those who make reservations.

Tourists may visit the Maripipi Tourism, Culture, and Arts Facebook page or contact 0917-115-7949 for reservations.

Part of the requirement is to apply for the Biliran quick response (QR) code, which takes about three days to process after submitting the online registration form.

Tourists from Samar who are even closer to Sambawan Island will have to go to the Biliran border checkpoint located after the Biliran bridge for the QR code check and fill up a form at the tourist assistance booth.

After filling up the form, tourists will be asked to proceed to the port in Kawayan town where motorboats bound for Maripipi await them for a 45-minute sea trip.

At the Maripipi municipal tourism office, visitors will register and pay the PHP100 fee before heading to the picturesque island through a 20-minute boat ride.

Sambawan, an island with a semi-curved beach and declared a marine sanctuary, is known for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, camping, and trekking.

At the island’s highest peak, there is a watchtower to give the tourists a view of the entire island.

The island is located five kilometers from the west coast of Maripipi town and south of the Samar Sea. It has soaring rock formations covered with green grass as a backdrop. (PNA)